Herbal Teas
Pear & Sugarcane Juice
Pear & Sugarcane Juice is a classic freshly squeezed drink from folk dietary therapy that clears heat, generates fluids, moistens the lungs, and relieves cough. Pear is sweet and slightly sour in taste, cool in nature, entering the Lung and Stomach meridians, with the effects of generating fluids, moistening dryness, clearing heat, resolving phlegm, and nourishing the heart and lungs. Sugarcane is sweet in taste, cold in nature, entering the Lung and Stomach meridians, with the effects of clearing heat, generating fluids, moistening dryness, harmonizing the middle, and detoxifying. Together, pear moistens the lungs and resolves phlegm, while sugarcane clears heat and generates fluids. The drink achieves the effects of clearing heat, moistening the lungs, generating fluids, quenching thirst, resolving phlegm, relieving cough, harmonizing the stomach, and moistening dryness. The juice is clear with a light yellow tint, sweet and mellow, carrying the fruity aroma of pear and the distinctive sweetness of sugarcane. It is especially suitable for dry autumn and winter seasons, summer heat with thirst, and lung-heat dry cough with dry sore throat.
Main Ingredients
- Pear 2 pieces
- Fresh sugarcane 300-500g
- Cool boiled water 100-200ml
- Lemon juice a few drops
- Honey 1-2 tbsp
Steps
Choose fresh sugarcane with thick nodes, hard texture, white cross-section, and a sweet clean aroma. Carefully check the cross-section; if there is red heart, black heart, mold spots, sour taste, or alcoholic smell, discard immediately. Peel off the outer skin and cut into small sections or thin strips. Note: Sugarcane skin is hard and must be thoroughly removed; smaller pieces release more juice. Wash the pear, peel and core, and cut into small pieces. Some skin can be retained for extra fiber, but peeling gives a smoother texture.
Place sugarcane sections and pear pieces in a juicer or high-speed blender. Add 100-200ml of cool boiled water (omit for a thicker juice) and blend on high for 1-2 minutes until smooth.
Strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to remove residue and obtain clear juice. Leave unstrained for a thicker texture.
Add a few drops of lemon juice to prevent oxidation, or 1-2 tbsp of honey to taste (honey is forbidden for infants under 1 year). Drink immediately—fresh juice is best consumed within 30 minutes to avoid vitamin C oxidation and bacterial growth.
TCM Notes
Pear: Contains approximately 40-50 kcal per 100g, with over 85% water content. Rich in vitamin C, dietary fiber, pectin, potassium, and various organic acids. Known for generating fluids, moistening dryness, clearing heat, resolving phlegm, and nourishing the heart and lungs. Pectin helps protect the gastric mucosa, and organic acids stimulate digestive juice secretion. Sugarcane: Each 100g of sugarcane contains approximately 15-20g carbohydrates, about 84% water, 0.6g dietary fiber, and minerals including calcium, phosphorus, iron, and potassium, as well as various amino acids. The sugars are mainly sucrose, fructose, and glucose, providing quick energy. Known for clearing heat, generating fluids, moistening dryness, harmonizing the middle, and detoxifying. Sugarcane juice is known as the “natural pulse-restoring decoction,” suitable for fever with fluid depletion and dry mouth. Synergistic Effect: Pear clears heat, moistens the lungs, generates fluids, and resolves phlegm; sugarcane clears heat, generates fluids, moistens dryness, and harmonizes the middle. One moistens, one clears—clearing heat without harming the body, moistening the lungs without stagnating phlegm, and generating fluids without being cloying. Total approx. 180-280 kcal (depending on honey amount)—a low-fat, heat-clearing, fluid-generating natural drink.
Suitable for：Those with lung-heat dry cough, dry cough with little phlegm, and dry itchy throat Those with fever with fluid depletion, dry mouth, and unquenchable thirst Those with summer heat, thirst, and excessive sweating with fluid loss Those with throat discomfort and hoarseness during dry autumn and winter Those with thirst and dry bitter mouth after drinking alcohol General population for summer heat relief and autumn-winter dryness relief
Not suitable for：Diabetes patients – use with caution or avoid. Both pear and sugarcane are relatively high in sugar, and juicing raises blood glucose quickly. Strictly control intake or consult a doctor; best without honey. Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency or prone to diarrhea – use with caution. Pear is cool and sugarcane is cold; those with cold intolerance, diarrhea, or abdominal cold pain may worsen symptoms. Boil and drink warm, or add 1-2 slices of ginger to balance the cold nature. Those with wind-cold cough – avoid. Symptoms include white thin phlegm, chills, clear runny nose, itchy throat, and worsening with cold. This drink is cooling and may worsen cold cough. Women during menstruation – use with caution. Pear and sugarcane are both cooling; excessive intake may worsen menstrual pain or impede menstrual flow. Pregnant women – use with caution. Cooling in nature; avoid large amounts and consult a doctor. Those with renal insufficiency – use with caution. Sugarcane is relatively high in potassium; control intake under medical guidance. Infants under 1 year old – absolutely no honey – honey may contain Clostridium botulinum spores; infants under 1 year have an immature gut microbiome and may develop infant botulism. Moldy sugarcane – absolutely forbidden – If sugarcane shows red heart, black heart, moldy odor, sour taste, or alcoholic smell, it is moldy and may produce Arthrinium fungal toxin (3-nitropropionic acid), which mainly damages the central nervous system and can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. Moldy sugarcane must never be juiced or consumed. Those allergic to pear, sugarcane, or honey – avoid.
