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Cura x Cura

Pi Pa Ye枇杷叶

Eriobotryae Folium · Loquat Leaf

Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing 化痰止咳平喘药《名医别录》

Overview

The leathery leaf of the loquat tree, whose underside is felted with fine hairs that have to be brushed away before use. Bitter and slightly cold, it works in two directions at once: downward through the Lung to settle a hot, rising cough, and downward through the Stomach to quiet nausea and hiccup. Honey-fried as Pi Pa Ye (Mi) Pi Pa Ye it becomes moistening and is chosen for dry cough; the plain leaf is kept for clearing heat and settling the Stomach.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Slightly cold

Channels

Lung · Stomach

Typical Dosage

5–10 g in decoction
枇杷叶Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears the Lung, directs qi downward, stops coughCough from Lung heat with thick yellow sputum, or a dry hacking cough where heat has scorched the fluids.
  • Harmonizes the Stomach, checks counterflowNausea, vomiting, belching and hiccup arising from Stomach heat with qi rising against the grain.
  • Honey-fried for drynessPi Pa Ye (Mi) Pi Pa Ye is sweeter and moistening, favoured for dry cough and a scratchy throat; the unprocessed leaf clears heat and settles the Stomach more directly.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Pi Pa Ye

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Cough from Lung heat, with thick or scant sputum
    - Dry hacking cough with a raw throat
    - Nausea, vomiting and hiccup from Stomach heat
    - Belching and reflux with heat signs

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

CoughBronchitisNauseaHiccups

Contraindications

Cautions

Cold-type cough with copious clear watery sputum, and vomiting from Stomach cold, are the wrong patterns for it. The fine hairs on the underside of the leaf irritate the throat and must be brushed off, or the leaf wrapped in cloth during decoction. Not toxic.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ming Yi Bie Lu《名医别录》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.