Loquat leaves, also known as bay leaves or Luju leaves, are the leaves of the Rosaceae plant Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. They are harvested multiple times a season and dried until they are 70-80% dry. They are then tied into small bundles and dried until fully dry.
[Processing Method] 1. Loquat leaves are described in the "Emergency Prescriptions for Elbow" as "wiping off the hair." In the "Practical Skills of Universal Salvation," it is stated that they should be "soaked in warm water and brushed to remove the hair." In the "Comprehensive Microcosm of Child Health," it is recommended to "wash and brush off the hair to clean it." The "Book of Live Young Hearts" advises to "clean and brush off the hair on the leaves and then grind them." In the current practice, the raw materials are taken, impurities and stems are removed, the fluff is brushed off, and the leaves are sprayed with clean water to moisten them. Then, they are sliced into strips and dried.
2. Loquat leaves with honey are described in the "Complete Record of Holy Salvation" as "wiping off the hair, coating with honey, and baking." In the "Comprehensive Microcosm of Child Health," it is recommended to "wash, brush off all the hair, coat with honey, and bake until golden brown." In the "Flora of Southern Yunnan," it is mentioned that "the fine hair on the back should be scraped off, leaving it clean. Then, spread honey evenly and heat it." In the current practice, refined honey is taken and diluted with a suitable amount of boiling water. It is then mixed with the loquat leaf strips and thoroughly soaked. The mixture is placed in a pot, heated over low heat, and stir-fried until it turns slightly yellow and is no longer sticky. Finally, it is taken out and cooled. For every 100kg of loquat leaves, 20kg of refined honey is used.
3. Loquat leaves with ginger are described in the "Complete Record of Holy Salvation" as "wiping off the hair... and baking with ginger juice." In the "Official Formulas," it is stated that the leaves should be "devoid of hair, coated with ginger juice, and baked until fragrant and ripe." In the "Extraordinary Effective Prescriptions," it is recommended to "remove the hair and bake with ginger juice until yellow." In the current practice, clean loquat leaf strips are mixed with fresh ginger juice and thoroughly soaked. The mixture is placed in a pot, heated over low heat, and stir-fried until dry. For every 100kg of loquat leaves, 10kg of fresh ginger is used.
