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[Recorded in the Upper Grade of Bie Lu]
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet and bitter, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats sudden-onset hiccups (eructation), directs Qi downward, taken as a decoction.
[Commentary on the Core] It is stated that: Xiangyang, the Han River basin, Wu region, Shu region, Fujian, and western Zhejiang all produce it in both north and south. The tree grows to about one zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) high, remains evergreen throughout the four seasons, with thick branches and long leaves, dense shade, and neat green foliage. The underside of the leaves has white hairs like down. It bears white flowers in deep winter and fruits resembling pellets in mid-summer. Yang Wanli's poem states: "Large leaves stand up like long ears, one branch can fill a plate; compared to lychee seeds, kumquats lack sourness." This describes its appearance quite fully. Processing: Each leaf weighing one liang when moist is usable. Wipe off the white hairs on the underside with coarse cloth, ensuring they are extremely clean, otherwise the hairs will irritate the lungs and cause coughing. Wash once with Licorice Decoction (Gancao Tang), then wipe again with cotton cloth. After drying, for every one liang of leaves, apply half a qian of su (butter/ghee), roast over fire, and use. For treating stomach conditions, coat with ginger juice before roasting; for treating lung conditions, coat with honey water before roasting, which is also effective.
My late father said: The pit of the loquat sprouts immediately upon hitting the ground and grows easily, bearing flowers and fruit within nearly ten years. It prefers high and open environments, thriving best in mountain soil. It forms flower buds in autumn, blooms in winter, sets fruit in spring, and ripens in summer. The pits outnumber the flesh, the foliage exceeds the branches, and the flowers are abundant forming buds. A cluster may have about thirty to fifty stems. If seven-tenths are pruned in mid-spring, the fruits will be large and fleshy. Otherwise, they will lack flesh and be small. When green, it has hairs and tastes sour; turning white and yellow, it becomes sweet, smooth, and palatable. Looking from afar, the leaves resemble summer cloth, with the tip being twice as wide as the base. Although planted together in gardens and served on banquet tables, its vibrant growth and beauty are distinct from seasonal flowers. In the season of heaven and earth closing and storing, it alone reveals its floral splendor; amidst the flourishing of all things, it appears lush and reclusive. People know only that the leaves serve as medicine, but do not know that the two halves of the kernel are about to become two leaves, representing the womb of the tree. However, compared to the leaves, the kernels especially contain accumulated essence. The branches, stems, bark, and flesh each have their uses. The whole plant is specialized, surpassing other fruits.
[Commentary] It is said: The tool for harvesting wheat is called "pipa"; the official storehouse for grain is called the "Stomach Mansion" (Wei Fu). This symbolizes its ability to enter and exit. Ophiopogon japonicus (Maidong) flourishes and fruits in summer, while the loquat also flowers in winter and fruits in summer. This is contrary to the movement of astronomical instruments (Jiheng) which enter in winter and exit in summer, hence it is said to possess the functions of closing and opening. Therefore, it enters the Stomach Mansion, primarily treating sudden, unceasing hiccups, vomiting, and retching. It also travels to the Lung channel, treating coughing, expectoration, and qi obstruction. This refers to the turbid fluid generated by hiccups, vomiting, and retching, which ascends via the Lung meridian to the lungs, causing lung anger and lung distension. The upper and lower pathogens combine and strike each other, forming coughs, resulting in sputum and obstruction. Since the stomach is responsible for receiving and containing food, its rotting, cooking, and distribution must rely on the inhalation and exhalation of lung qi, acting as key links at the beginning and end. It strongly treats Hong Kong foot (podagra/swelling of the feet), which is caused by the downward flow of turbid fluids; sores and ulcers, which are caused by the external overflow of turbid fluids. Various causes and syndromes all originate from the stomach. As for clearing lung metal, nourishing kidney water, benefiting spleen earth, clearing heart fire, and calming liver yang, this represents transforming outward movement into inward entry. Resolving summer heat, eliminating heat and vexation, stopping polydipsia, removing warm pathogens, and warding off epidemics, this represents transforming inward entry into outward exit. In summary, it makes what should go out go out, and what should come in come in; it opens and closes what cannot open or close. It is an excellent herb for harmonizing form and qi. The Classic states: "The five Yin organs are born from the five flavors; the five Yin organs are injured by the five flavors." Thus, the loquat does not only enter the stomach and lungs, but also the heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys—the five zang organs. This is because the stomach is the beginning of the meridional qi of the five zang and six fu organs, and also their end.