PEAR

Pears are rich in vitamin C & the minerals potassium & copper as well as containing vitamins A, K, E, folate & some of the B-complex vitamins.
They contain several valuable amino acids & the minerals manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, chloride, iron, zinc & traces of selenium.
Pears also have potent antioxidant properties, as they contain beta-carotene & ascorbic acid.

Health benefits of pears include their ability to improve digestion, improve heart health, regulate the body’s fluid levels, increase cognitive ability, prevent cancer, promote wound healing & tissue repair, defend against birth defects, boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, increase the metabolism, improve circulation, protect against osteoporosis, while guaranteeing healthier skin, eyes & hair.
Pears have anti-oxidant & anti-carcinogen glutathione which help prevent high blood pressure & stroke.
Pear consumption helps in the elimination of uric acid & other nitrogenous substances through the urine.

Pears have diuretic properties & are useful for expelling stones especially from the kidneys.
Pear plays a vital role in weight loss diets due to its diuretic action.

Pears have some pain relieving properties & can help to lower blood pressure.
They also promote cardiovascular health, lower cholesterol levels & are good for the eyesight.

Pears protect the bladder against cancer, as well as the colon & have astringent qualities so are useful for mild diarrhea & colitis.
Pear works against intestinal indigestion & putrefaction.
The pectin in pears is diuretic & have a mild laxative effect. Drinking pear juice regularly helps regulate bowel movements.
Pears contain more fiber than most other fruit. It helps to pass food more easily along the digestive tract & also removes cancer-causing chemicals in the colon, which reduces the  risk of developing colon cancer.

Consumption of pears can lower risk of breast cancer.

For night coughing & clear sputum, the eating cooked pear is best.

The cooling effect in pear is excellent in relieving fever. Best way to bring a fever down quickly is by drinking a big glass of pear juice.

They are good for cystitis & inflammation of the prostate gland.
A tisane can be made from dried pear leaves for these problems.
Take 20 g of dried pear leaves & macerate in ½ l of boiling water for 20 min.
Take 2 cups a day before each main meal.

A decoction of the bark is useful to apply to sprains & bruises, as it will reduce swelling.

RECIPES:

Since several of the vitamins & minerals are concentrated in significant quantities just underneath the skin, pears should be eaten as a whole along with its skin to get maximum benefits.

Combine pears with mustard greens, watercress, leeks & walnuts for a delicious salad.
Serve pears with goat or blue cheese for a delightful dessert.
Add chopped pears, grated ginger & honey to millet porridge for a sweet breakfast treat.
Core pears & poach in apple juice or wine.
Pear is also used in the preparation of fruit juice, jam, pie & fruit salad.
Add as a juice mix with other fruits like pineapple, peaches, grapes...etc.
Dried pear slices can be added to baby food.

Decoction of the bark:

boil 25 g of the bark in ½ l of water for 20 min.

Pear Tea:

5 cups of water
3 medium size pears, cut, core & chop in small pieces
2 tbsp dried Goji Berries
1 tbsp Rock Sugar or honey to taste.
Bring water to a boil.
Add chopped pears, goji berries, rock sugar or raw honey & simmer on low heat for 35-40 minutes.
Cool for a minute & strain.

Ginger Pears:

500 g sugar
500 ml white wine vinegar
grated zest & juice of 1 orange
5 cm piece of ginger, thinly sliced
3 bay leaves
1 tsp black peppercorn
1½ kg small ripe pears
Put the sugar, vinegar, orange zest & juice, ginger, bay leaves & peppercorns in a large pan.
Bring slowly to the boil, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar, then boil for 5 min.
Peel, core & halve or quarter the pears, depending on size.
Add the pears to the pan & poach gently for 10-15 min until they are just tender.
Remove with a slotted spoon & pack into warm sterilized jars.
Boil the vinegar mixture until reduced by a third, then pour over the pears, including the spices.
The pears need to be completely covered with the liquid.
Close airtight.

Spiced Cranberry & Pear Relish:

1 onion, finely chopped
2½ cm piece ginger, peeled & grated
175 ml raspberry or cider vinegar
140 g caster sugar
2 garlic cloves, sliced
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp ground allspice
1 dried red chilli, crumbled
300 g dried cranberries
4 pears, cored & cubed
Put all the ingredients except the pear in a saucepan with a large pinch of salt.
Bring it slowly to a simmer, stirring to make sure all the sugar has dissolved.
Add the pear & continue cooking until the mixture has the consistency of thick jam.
Spoon the hot relish into the hot sterilized jars & seal.
Cool.
Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
Once opened, relish is best eaten within 2 months.

BEAUTY:

Face Mask for Oily Skin:

Add half a teaspoon of honey & 1 tbsp of cream to 1 mashed ripe pear.
Apply the mixture over your face & neck & let it remain for ca 15 minutes.
Rinse with lukewarm water.

MAGIC:

Pear is believed to increase enthusiasm & energy, while also bringing deep personal peace & security.
It can aid clarity & simplicity, boost confidence & reduce stress.
Pears can enhance personal power & vitality, increase your enjoyment of life & encourage spontaneity.
It is particularly good for magic to do with physical love & spells to increase lust & is said to be effective in making you, or anyone else, into a better lover.

Eating pears induces love.

Use dried fruit in amulets & sachets for love & lust.