Rosaceae
Loquat Leaf
Eriobotrya japonica
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: China, Japan (cultivated subtropics)
Also known as: Japanese Medlar Leaf, Pipa Leaf, Nispero Leaf
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Leaf
Therapeutic Uses
Cough and bronchitis (antitussive — Chuan Bei Pi Pa Gao syrup classic formula), type 2 diabetes (corosolic acid — insulin sensitizer), respiratory catarrh, liver protection.
Herbal Actions
Antitussive, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic (corosolic acid — insulin sensitizer), antiviral
Active Constituents
Triterpenic acids (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, corosolic acid), flavonoids (quercetin, chlorogenic acid), procyanidins, sesquiterpenes, amygdalin (trace — seeds only)
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture🍯 Syrup
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 3–5 dried leaves per 250ml, simmer 10 min, 3x daily |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 40% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Chuan Bei Pi Pa Gao (loquat leaf + fritillary bulb + honey): classic Chinese cough syrup — highly effective and pleasant. Fresh leaves must be wipe-dried (remove leaf hairs) before use. For diabetes: standardized extract 10mg corosolic acid daily. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Seeds contain amygdalin — avoid seeds. Leaf: safe. Caution with antidiabetics (corosolic acid). Caution in pregnancy.
Side Effects: Leaf hairs irritant if not removed. GI upset at high doses. Very safe for leaf preparations.