Eriobotryae Folium
Aliases：Pá Yè, Lú Jú Yè, Bā Yè, Guǎng Pá Yè, Lú Jú Yè, Lú Jú Yè, Wú Yōu Shàn.
Pí Pá Yè (Loquat Leaf) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried leaf of Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl., a plant belonging to the genus Eriobotrya of the family Rosaceae. The leaf is oblong or obovate in shape, 12–30 cm long and 4–9 cm wide. The upper surface is smooth, while the lower surface is densely covered with yellow hairs. It is leathery and brittle, and breaks easily. Loquat Leaf has been included in the list of "substances that are both food and medicinal materials according to traditional practice" (medicinal and edible dual-use).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears the Lung and relieves cough; directs Qi downward and stops vomiting.
Indications
Used for lung-heat cough, Qi counterflow with wheezing and rapid breathing, stomach-heat vomiting and retching, and fever with thirst. It is also applicable to conditions diagnosed in Western medicine as acute bronchitis, lobar pneumonia, whooping cough, and bronchiectasis pertaining to the heat-phlegm pattern, as well as acute and chronic gastritis and diaphragmatic spasm pertaining to stomach fire excess.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that Loquat Leaf possesses antitussive, antiasthmatic, and expectorant effects. Its decoction shows inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus in vitro, as well as against Staphylococcus albus, Diplococcus pneumoniae, and Shigella. The cold ether extract and its constituent ursolic acid exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, Loquat Leaf exhibits various pharmacological activities including hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and antitumor effects, and is clinically used in the treatment of diabetes, bronchitis, and cancer. Recent studies have found that Loquat Leaf also shows significant effects in treating obesity, improving memory, ameliorating insulin resistance, and exerting anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. Triterpenic acids have been shown to inhibit the growth of subcutaneous tumors in xenograft mouse models.
Ingredients
Loquat Leaf contains a variety of chemical components, including volatile oils, triterpenic acids, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, and organic acids. The main components of the volatile oil are nerolidol and farnesol. Triterpenoids include ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, corosolic acid, and betulinic acid. It also contains amygdalin, tannins, vitamins B and C, and sorbitol.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 6–15 g; up to 30 g for strong doses; 15–30 g for fresh leaves. May also be made into ointments, pills, or powders. When used in a decoction, it should be wrapped in a cloth (due to the hairs on the lower leaf surface).
Contraindications
Contraindicated in cases of stomach cold with vomiting. Contraindicated in cases of wind-cold cough—as Loquat Leaf is slightly cold in nature, it is suitable for wind-heat or lung-heat cough, and may worsen symptoms in wind-cold cough. Use with caution or avoid in cases of Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold, as it may exacerbate coldness in the Spleen and Stomach, leading to abdominal pain and diarrhea. Use with caution during pregnancy. Use with caution in those with allergic predisposition—Loquat Leaf contains volatile oils and flavonoids, which may cause allergic reactions such as skin itching and laryngeal edema. Avoid taking on an empty stomach—Loquat Leaf contains small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides, which may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and spicy, cold, raw, and greasy foods. The hairs on the leaf surface must be removed before use; otherwise, the hairs may irritate the throat and trachea, potentially worsening the cough.
Selected Formulas
For lung-heat cough with qi counterflow and wheezing (Yizong Jinjian, Pipa Qingfei Yin) Take Pipaye (Loquat leaf), use alone to make a paste, or combine with Huangqin (Scutellaria), Sangbaipi (Mulberry root bark), and Zhizi (Gardenia). Decoct in water and drink. For dry-heat cough and wheezing with difficult expectoration, dry mouth, and red tongue (Yimen Falu, Qingzao Jiufei Tang) Take Pipaye with Sangye (Mulberry leaf), Maidong (Ophiopogon), and Ejiao (Donkey-hide gelatin). Decoct in water and drink. For stomach-heat vomiting and hiccups (empirical formula) Take Pipaye with Chenpi (Tangerine peel) and Zhuru (Bamboo shavings). Decoct in water and drink. For chronic cough and wheezing with thin sputum, or phlegm obstruction with qi counterflow and vomiting with epigastric distension and pain (empirical formula) Take Pipaye with Banxia (Pinellia). Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Loquat Leaf Tea: Take 10–15 g of Loquat Leaf, remove the hairs, dry-roast, and decoct together with fresh Reed Rhizome. Strain to remove the residue and drink warm as a tea. Loquat Leaf Congee: Wrap Loquat Leaf in cloth and decoct to obtain a concentrated liquid, then strain to remove the residue. Add polished rice and cook into congee. When the congee is done, add a small amount of rock sugar. Take twice daily for 3–5 days as a course of treatment. Alternatively, brush the hairs off fresh Loquat Leaf, chop finely, decoct, strain, and cook with polished rice. Loquat Leaf and Pig Lung Soup: Combine 30 g of Dragon Fruit Flower, 60 g of fresh Loquat Leaf, 2 pieces of Honey-date, 12 g of Sweet Apricot Kernel, 9 g of Bitter Apricot Kernel, and 1 Pig Lung. Stew together and consume.
Medicinal Parts
Dried leaf.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place.
