Pear
Pear

Background

Pear is a tree. The pear fruit is used to make medicine.

People use pears for many conditions, including indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and vomiting, and liver scarring (cirrhosis), but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

In foods, pears are eaten as fresh or preserved fruit, and used in cooking.
When taken by mouth: Pear is LIKELY SAFE for most people when eaten in normal food amounts. But, there isn't enough information to know if pears are safe when used as medicine or what the possible side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Pears are LIKELY SAFE when eaten in amounts found in food. There isn't enough information to know if pears are safe in larger, medicinal amounts. Stay on the safe side and stick with food amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Effectiveness

NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
  • Athletic performance. Early research shows that taking a carbohydrate supplement obtained from pears before and during a long-distance cycle ride seems to improve overall cycling time in athletic men.
  • Hangover. Early research shows that drinking Korean pear juice 30 minutes before drinking alcohol seems to help reduce hangover symptoms 15 hours later by a small amount.
  • Obesity. Early research shows that eating pears 3 times daily between meals while on a calorie-controlled diet might help reduce weight by a small amount over 12 weeks.
  • Cancer.
  • An infection of the intestines that causes diarrhea (cholera).
  • Constipation.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Fevers.
  • Fluid retention.
  • Indigestion.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Liver scarring (cirrhosis).
  • Obesity.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of pear for these uses.

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of pear depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for pear. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

It is not known if Pear interacts with any medicines. Before taking Pear, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

Pear fruit contains a substance called pectin, which might help reduce diarrhea.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 30/04/2023 10:00:00. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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