Loquat leaves

Loquat leaves

　　Loquat leaves

　　Loquat leaves are oblong or obovate in shape, measuring 12–30 cm in length and 4–9 cm in width. The apex is pointed, the base is cuneate, the edges have sparse serrations, and are nearly entire near the base. The upper surface is grayish-green, yellowish-brown, or reddish-brown, and relatively smooth; the lower surface is densely covered with yellowish fuzz, with the midrib prominently raised on the underside and lateral veins pinnate; the petiole is very short and covered with brownish-yellow fuzz. The leaves are leathery yet brittle and break easily. They are odorless and have a slightly bitter taste.

　　Loquat leaves are the dried leaves of the loquat plant, belonging to the Rosaceae family. They are all cultivated. They are mainly produced in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Yunnan, Zhejiang, Hunan, Jiangsu, and Jiangxi. The original plant grows near villages, on flat land, or along slopes. They have a bitter taste and a slightly cold nature. They enter the lung and stomach meridians. Their functions include clearing the lungs, resolving phlegm, relieving cough, reducing rebellious qi, and calming vomiting. Common clinical names include loquat leaf and honey-fried loquat leaf.