Basic Chinese Chicken Soup Stock (Soup Base)

Ingredient Name: Loquat Leaf (Dried)

Traditional Chinese Name: 枇杷葉 (pípá yè), 琵琶葉 (pípá yè)

• The dried leaf of the loquat leaf plant (which produces an oval orange fruit that has a very large seed)
  
• The leaves are usually 10-25 cm in length and dark green in color with a leathery texture
• The loquat fruit is very common in Chinese and Japanese cultures

How do I prepare it?

• The leaves are normally bought dried and pre-cut
• Simply rinse in warm water before usage

Where can I buy this?

Most herbal shops will carry this
Wet marts in Hong Kong will also sometimes carry this

What is the cost?

• Extremely affordable
• 30 g cost around $5 HKD

Any benefits?

• Leaves are said to soothe the digestive and respiratory systems
• They also aid in helping your body release anti-oxidants (to reduce aging)
• Can help skin inflammation if applied topically

Any precautions?

• Avoid eating the seeds of the loquat fruit (and young leaves) as it is carcinogenic and releases cyanide when digested (although in low amounts)

Resources

• http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/loquat-leaf.html