Loquat leaves, also known as bay leaves, are the dried leaves of the Rosaceae plant loquat. They are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and were first recorded in the book "Mingyi Bie Lu". The name "loquat leaves" comes from the resemblance of the leaves to a pipa, a traditional Chinese musical instrument. Loquat leaves have a cool nature and a bitter taste, and they enter the lung and stomach meridians. They have the functions of clearing the lungs and stomach, reducing qi and transforming phlegm. They are used to treat symptoms such as lung heat cough, rebellious qi asthma, stomach heat vomiting, and restlessness and thirst caused by heat.
"Bencao Huiyan" records: "Loquat leaves can calm the stomach qi, moisten the heart and lungs, nourish the liver and kidneys. They are used to treat continuous vomiting, rebellious stomach qi; cough with phlegm stagnation and restlessness, to moisten lung qi; dryness and heat causing irritability and dry mouth, to nourish stomach qi; and epidemic fever and summer heat."
