Soups
Luo Han Guo & Pear Soup (Luohan Xueli Tang)
Luo Han Guo & Pear Soup is a classic Cantonese nourishing medicinal soup, originating from the Tonics and Beneficial Formulas. Luo Han Guo, known as the “immortal fruit”, is cool in nature and sweet in taste, clearing heat, moistening the lungs, relieving sore throat, and moistening the intestines. Pear is cold in nature, generating fluids, moistening dryness, and clearing the lungs. Both are sweet, cool, and moisturizing, with mild and compatible properties. The resulting soup is sweet, refreshing, and highly effective at combating dryness – a classic autumn-winter wellness combination for soothing the throat and nourishing the lungs
Main Ingredients
- Luo Han Guo (monk fruit) 1/4-1 piece
- Pear 1-2 pieces
- Rock sugar to taste
- Red dates 2 pieces
Steps
Wash 1-2 pears, peel and core, and cut into small pieces. Rinse Luo Han Guo, break into pieces or cut in half (both shell and pulp can be used).
Place the prepared pear pieces and Luo Han Guo into a clay pot or soup pot. Add enough water (approx. 750ml). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low heat and cook for 20-30 minutes.
Add rock sugar to taste before turning off the heat. Strain if desired, drink the soup and eat the pear. Serve warm.
TCM Notes
Luo Han Guo (Monk Fruit) : Sweet in taste, cool in nature; enters the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. Known for clearing heat and moistening the lungs, relieving sore throat, and moistening the intestines. Rich in mogrosides and vitamin C; mogrosides do not participate in human metabolism and may help regulate blood sugar. Pear: Sweet in taste, cold in nature; enters the Lung meridian. Known for generating fluids, moistening dryness, and clearing the lungs. Rich in water, vitamins, and trace elements. Synergistic Effect: Luo Han Guo clears lung heat, while pear nourishes lung yin. Together, they achieve the effect of nourishing yin, moistening the throat, and clearing heat. This soup is cooling and moisturizing in nature, making it suitable for daily conditioning of lung-heat dry cough and sore throat.
Suitable for：Those with dry throat, sore throat, acute and chronic pharyngitis Those with lung-heat dry cough, dry cough with little phlegm, or persistent cough Those who overuse their voice (e.g., teachers, broadcasters, salespeople) Those with throat discomfort due to dry weather or staying up late Those with constipation due to intestinal dryness General population for autumn-winter wellness and dryness relief
Not suitable for：Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – both Luo Han Guo and pear are cooling in nature and may damage Spleen yang, worsening abdominal cold pain and diarrhea Those with wind-cold cough – symptoms include white thin phlegm, chills, and runny nose; the cooling nature may worsen symptoms Those with cold constitution, cold hands/feet, or frequent diarrhea – avoid excessive or long-term consumption Those allergic to pear or Luo Han Guo Pregnant women, children, and hypoglycemia patients – consult a professional before consuming Not suitable for long-term excessive consumption – daily dosage should not exceed 1 dried fruit
