Herb Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Xue Li

Snow Pear · 雪梨

Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm. f.) Nakai · Fructus Pyri

Also known as: Ru Li (乳梨, Milk Pear), Snow Pear

Snow pear is a cooling fruit used in Chinese medicine to moisten the lungs, clear heat, and generate fluids. It is commonly eaten raw or cooked for dry cough, sore throat, thirst, and to relieve the effects of alcohol.

Category Other herbs Herbs that clear Heat and resolve Toxicity Herbs that cool and transform Phlegm-Heat
Therapeutic focus Respiratory health Thirst and dehydration Cough and cold Sore throat

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Sour (酸 suān)

Channels entered

Lungs, Stomach

Parts used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Xue Li does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Xue Li is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Respiratory health Thirst and dehydration Cough and cold Sore throat

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Xue Li performs to restore balance in the body:

Clears Heat Moistens the Lungs Transforms Phlegm Generates Fluids Stops thirst Resolves Toxin

How these actions work

Clears Heat means Xuě Lí cools the body and reduces internal Heat. It is used for conditions like fever, irritability, and thirst caused by excess Heat, especially in the Lungs and Stomach.

Moistens the Lungs refers to its ability to lubricate the respiratory tract, making it ideal for dry cough, hoarseness, and a scratchy throat. It helps restore the Lung's natural moisture balance.

Transforms Phlegm describes how it helps thin and expel sticky phlegm from the Lungs, particularly when the phlegm is yellow and thick due to Heat.

Generates Fluids is its capacity to promote the production of body fluids, relieving dehydration, dry mouth, and thirst. This action also benefits the skin and intestines.

Resolves Toxin indicates its use in clearing heat-related toxins, such as those from alcohol, certain skin eruptions, or inflammatory conditions.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Xue Li is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Xue Li addresses this pattern

Xuě Lí is cold in nature and sweet in taste, directly clearing Heat from the Lungs. Its moistening property soothes the dryness that often accompanies Lung Heat, making it especially useful for heat-induced dry cough and throat irritation.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Cough

Dry, hacking cough

Fever

Low-grade fever

Sore Throat

Burning sensation in throat

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Xue Li is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Lung Heat Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, acute bronchitis is often seen as an invasion of Wind-Heat or Phlegm-Heat obstructing the Lung's descending and dispersing function. This leads to cough, fever, and chest discomfort.

Why Xue Li Helps

Xuě Lí's cold nature clears Lung Heat, while its sweet taste moistens the Lungs and transforms Phlegm. This directly addresses the Heat and Phlegm that underlie the condition, soothing the cough and reducing inflammation.

Also commonly used for

Pneumonia

Supports lung function by cooling heat and moistening dryness

Chronic Bronchitis

Moistens the lungs and eases chronic dry cough

Sore Throat

Soothes throat heat and inflammation

Cough

Relieves dry, hacking cough

Fever

Cools the body and reduces fever

Diabetes Mellitus

Helps manage thirst associated with diabetes

Alcohol Intoxication

Resolves alcohol toxicity and eases hangover symptoms

Constipation

Moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements

Dry Skin

Moistens from within, improving skin dryness

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Sour (酸 suān)

Channels Entered

Lungs Stomach

Parts Used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Xue Li — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

As food: one medium-sized fresh pear (200–300 g). For decoction (dried slices): 9–15 g.

Maximum dosage

No strict toxic upper limit. Excessive consumption of raw pears (more than one or two daily) may cause gastrointestinal cold‑damage. The amount should always be adjusted to the individual’s constitution.

Dosage notes

For acute heat‑type cough and thirst, the fresh, raw form or its juice is most effective because of its strong cold, cooling nature. For chronic cough with drier Lungs (especially in older or weaker people), it is better to steam, bake, or double‑boil the pear to reduce its coldness and focus the action on moistening the Lung. Pear juice cooked with honey (秋梨膏) becomes more nourishing and less prone to injure the Spleen.

Preparation

When using fresh pears in a decoction, they are usually added towards the end of cooking to preserve their cooling and moistening properties. Often juiced and strained, or stewed with rock sugar or honey to make a syrup or paste.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Xue Li does

Processing method

Fresh snow pears are juiced, simmered slowly to concentrate, then cooked with honey (and sometimes additional herbs like Luo Han Guo, Mai Dong, etc.) until a thick, syrupy paste is formed.

How it changes properties

The long cooking and addition of honey transform the herb from strongly cold to more neutral and sweet. The action shifts from clearing heat to primarily moistening the Lung, stopping cough, and generating fluids. It is much gentler on the Stomach and Spleen.

When to use this form

Choose this form for chronic dry cough, Lung Yin deficiency with scanty phlegm, or in patients whose digestion cannot tolerate the cold of raw pear. It is widely used as an autumn health tonic.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Xue Li for enhanced therapeutic effect

Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu Xuě Lí 1 piece (approx. 200g) : Chuān Bèi Mǔ 3–9g

Moistens the Lungs, transforms Phlegm, and stops cough. Xuě Lí provides the cooling, moistening base, while Chuān Bèi Mǔ specifically targets Phlegm-Heat and dry cough.

When to use: For dry cough with scanty, difficult-to-expectorate sputum, or cough due to Lung Heat with Yin Deficiency.

Mai Dong
Mai Dong Xuě Lí 1 piece : Mài Dōng 6–12g

Generates Fluids and nourishes Yin of both the Lungs and Stomach. Xuě Lí's cooling nature pairs with Mài Dōng's sweet, slightly cold property to strongly replenish fluids.

When to use: For severe thirst, dry mouth, and throat due to Stomach Yin Deficiency or febrile disease consuming fluids.

Pi Pa Ye
Pi Pa Ye Xuě Lí 1 piece : Pí Pá Yè 6–9g

Clears Lung Heat, transforms Phlegm, and stops cough. Pí Pá Yè directs the action downward to stop rebellious Lung Qi, while Xuě Lí moistens and cools.

When to use: For Phlegm-Heat cough with yellow sputum, chest oppression, and nausea.

Jie Geng
Jie Geng Xuě Lí 1 piece : Jié Gěng 3–6g

Benefits the throat and opens the Lung Qi. Jié Gěng carries the moistening, cooling effect of Xuě Lí to the throat and upper respiratory tract.

When to use: For sore throat, loss of voice, and dry cough with throat irritation.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Mai Dong
Xue Li vs Mai Dong

Both moisten the Lungs and generate fluids, but Mài Dōng is more focused on nourishing Yin and calming the Heart, while Xuě Lí is colder and better at clearing Heat and detoxifying alcohol. Xuě Lí is also gentler as a food.

Tian Hua Fen
Xue Li vs Tian Hua Fen

Both generate fluids and clear Heat, but Tiān Huā Fěn is stronger at reducing swelling and draining pus, whereas Xuě Lí is milder and more suitable for simple thirst and dry cough.

Bei Sha Shen
Xue Li vs Bei Sha Shen

Both nourish Yin and moisten the Lungs, but Běi Shā Shēn is better for chronic Yin Deficiency with empty Heat, while Xuě Lí is more appropriate for acute Heat conditions with fluid damage.

Identity & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Xue Li

Many pear varieties exist, but according to the <em>Bencao Gangmu</em>, only 乳梨 (Snow Pear), 鹅梨 (Goose Pear), and 消梨 (Fragrant Water Pear) are considered effective medicinally. Other common pears (e.g., 水梨 Water Pear, 赤梨 Red Pear) may appear similar but are traditionally regarded as having coarser texture and weaker therapeutic action, so they are not direct substitutes.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Xue Li

Non-toxic

Xue Li is non‑toxic. Its potential harm comes solely from its cold nature: excessive consumption of raw pear can injure the Spleen and Stomach, causing cold‑type abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weakness. Cooking or baking the pear (e.g., wrapped in dough and roasted in ashes) moderates this coldness, making it safer for weaker digestion. No intrinsic toxic compounds require special processing for safety.

Contraindications

Situations where Xue Li should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

People with Deficiency Cold of the Spleen and Stomach, prone to loose stools, chronic diarrhea, or cold abdominal pain should avoid this herb.

Avoid

Postpartum women and breastfeeding mothers (乳妇) — the cold nature may injure the postpartum body and affect breast milk, as noted in the Bencao Gangmu.

Avoid

Those with Blood Deficiency (血虚) — the cold, downward-moving nature can further weaken the body, as warned in the Bencao Gangmu.

Avoid

Those with recent open wounds or Metal Sores (金疮) — the cold and dispersing action may hinder healing.

Caution

Excessive consumption by anyone can cause cold damage to the middle burner, leading to abdominal cold pain, fatigue, and weakness.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

No specific pregnancy contraindications are recorded in the classical literature. However, its marked cold nature means large amounts should be avoided, especially by those with a cold constitution or early pregnancy with Spleen Qi deficiency. Occasional use as a food in moderation is generally considered acceptable.

Breastfeeding

Classical texts explicitly list 乳妇 (breastfeeding women) among those who should avoid eating pear, as its cold, downward‑moving nature was believed to weaken the postpartum body and potentially affect milk quality. Modern usage suggests caution and minimal amounts.

Children

Children with heat‑type cough, thirst, or irritability may benefit from small amounts of fresh pear juice or steamed pear. Because children’s Spleen is often delicate, raw pear should be given cautiously and in moderation to avoid causing diarrhea; cooked pear or pear paste is gentler.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Xue Li

Avoid eating raw, cold, and greasy foods while using large amounts of pear medicinally, as these can compound the cold damage to the Spleen. For coughs with mixed heat and cold signs, pair with warming ingredients like fresh ginger, Sichuan pepper, or baked in dough to balance its nature.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Xue Li source plant

雪梨 (Pyrus × bretschneideri) is a deciduous tree in the Rosaceae family, growing 4–5 meters tall with a broad crown 3–4 meters across. The trunk and older branches are brown and smooth, while new shoots are reddish-brown and hairless. Leaves are ovate to elliptical, deep green, with a pointed tip and sharply toothed margins; young leaves have fine hairs that disappear as they mature. In April, clusters of white, 5‑petalled flowers with yellow anthers appear, followed by fruit that ripens in August to September. The fruit is oval to subglobose, slightly flattened, and pale yellow‑brown when ripe, measuring 8–9 cm in length and 9–9.5 cm in width. The flesh is white, crisp, and very juicy, with a thin skin and small dotted spots.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Xue Li is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

August to September, when the fruit is fully ripe.

Primary growing regions

The most famous 道地药材 region is Zhao County (赵县) in Hebei Province, known for 赵州雪梨. Also widely cultivated in Shandong, Sichuan (notably Cangxi County, Guangyuan), and Anhui (Xuancheng, She County, Qimen, Xiuning — the historic 徽州雪梨 area). The <em>Bencao Gangmu</em> specifically mentions 乳梨 from Xuancheng as the best medicinal variety.

Quality indicators

Good‑quality Xue Li are large, round to slightly flat, with a thin pale yellow skin dotted with fine speckles. The flesh should be pure white, extremely crisp, very juicy, sweet with a subtle tart note, and without any astringency. Avoid fruits that are soft, mushy, or have dark patches. Medicinally, the fully ripe, freshly harvested fruit is preferred.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Xue Li and its therapeutic uses

《本草纲目》引朱震亨：
“梨者，利也。其性下行流利也。”
Zhu Zhenheng (Yuan Dynasty): “Pear means ‘to benefit’ — its nature is downward and dispersing.”

《本草纲目》时珍：
“润肺凉心，消痰降火，解疮毒、酒毒。”
Li Shizhen: “Moistens the Lung, cools the Heart, dissolves phlegm, descends Fire, resolves sore toxins and alcohol toxins.”

《开宝本草》：
“治客热，中风不语，治伤寒热发，解丹石热气、惊邪，利大小便。”
Kai Bao Ben Cao (Song Dynasty): “Treats external Heat, aphasia following wind‑strike, fever in cold‑induced illness, resolves Heat toxicity from mineral elixirs, calms fright, promotes urination and bowel movements.”

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Xue Li's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

The name 雪梨 (Snow Pear) derives from its flesh, which is as white as snow. The Bencao Gangmu classifies it as a top‑grade fruit and distinguishes several varieties — 乳梨 (Milk Pear = Snow Pear), 鹅梨 (Goose Pear), and 消梨 (Dissolving Pear) — as the only ones suitable for medicinal use. A famous story from the Tang Dynasty tells how the Daoist priest Xing of Mount Qingcheng cured Emperor Wuzong’s intractable heart‑heat with a decoction of purple‑flowered pear juice. Later, Li Shizhen lamented that ancient doctors, focused on cold‑wind evils and warming herbs like Cinnamon and Aconite, neglected the pear’s ability to treat wind‑heat, moisten the Lung, and extinguish Fire — a bias that led many to overlook its true therapeutic value, even as they warned only of its cold side effects.