‘Lí gāo’ literally means 'pear paste' or 'pear syrup' — a traditional Chinese herbal remedy made by simmering pears (especially snow pears) with honey, rock sugar, and sometimes medicinal herbs like loquat leaf or fritillary bulb. The word combines 梨 (lí), meaning 'pear', and 膏 (gāo), meaning 'paste', 'syrup', or 'concentrated medicinal preparation'. It is thick, dark brown, and sweet-tart in flavor.

This syrup is widely used in Chinese households to soothe sore throats, relieve dry coughs, and moisten the lungs — especially during autumn and winter. While not a pharmaceutical drug, it’s considered a gentle, natural health tonic rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles of clearing heat and nourishing yin. You’ll find it sold in glass jars or small plastic cups in pharmacies, supermarkets, and herbal shops across China and overseas Chinatowns.