Pí Pá Yè (枇杷叶), known in English as Loquat leaf (Eriobotrya japonica), is a cool, bitter Chinese herb from the Resolve phlegm category. It enters the Lung and Stomach channels. Its main action: clears Lung Heat, transforms phlegm, stops cough.
| Pinyin | Pí Pá Yè (Pi Pa Ye) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 枇杷叶 |
| English | Loquat leaf |
| Botanical name | Eriobotrya japonica |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels | Lung, Stomach |
| Dosage | 6–9g (wrap if decocting; brush off hairs) |
| Cautions | Cold-Phlegm; Cold Stomach vomiting |
Actions
- Clears Lung Heat, transforms phlegm, stops cough
- Descends Stomach qi, stops vomiting
Indications
- Lung-Heat cough
- Stomach Heat nausea and vomiting
How to remember Pí Pá Yè
Most Resolve phlegm herbs enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Lung channel: from its action “Clears Lung Heat”
- Stomach channel: from its action “Descends Stomach qi”
- Learn by heart
- Cool: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in nature
- Bitter: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
Formulas containing Pí Pá Yè
Other Resolve phlegm herbs
- Bàn Xià
- Guā Lóu
- Tiān Nán Xīng
- Zào Jiǎo Cì
- Jié Gěng
- Chuān Bèi Mǔ
- Zhè Bèi Mǔ
- Zhú Rú
- Tiān Zhú Huáng
- Hǎi Zǎo
- Kūn Bù
- Xìng Rén
- Zǐ Wǎn
- Bǎi Bù
- Kuǎn Dōng Huā
- Sāng Bái Pí
- Tíng Lì Zǐ
- Bái Jiè Zǐ
- Bái Qián
- Qián Hú
- Xuán Fù Huā
- Zǐ Sū Zǐ
- Bái Guǒ
- Qīng Méng Shí
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Pí Pá Yè?
Pí Pá Yè is cool and bitter.
Which channels does Pí Pá Yè enter?
Pí Pá Yè enters the Lung and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Pí Pá Yè?
Clears Lung Heat, transforms phlegm, stops cough; Descends Stomach qi, stops vomiting.
What is Pí Pá Yè used for?
Lung-Heat cough; Stomach Heat nausea and vomiting.
Which formulas contain Pí Pá Yè?
Qīng Zào Jiù Fèi Tāng.
Practise Pí Pá Yè and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.