Can Loquat Leaf Treat Cough?

May 26, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Ren Yi

Introduction

Loquat leaf is generally used to treat coughs, but it is not suitable for all types of cough. Loquat leaf has functions of clearing the lungs, relieving cough, reducing upward rushing qi, and stopping vomiting. It is primarily used to alleviate symptoms such as lung-heat cough, thick phlegm, and dyspnea with rapid breathing caused by upward movement of qi. Loquat leaf is cold in nature, while cough due to wind-cold invasion is mainly caused by external contraction of wind and cold pathogens, and should primarily be treated by warming the lungs and dispersing cold. It is recommended to maintain good lifestyle habits during the illness.

Pipa leaf is generally used to treat cough, but it is not suitable for all types of cough. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Pipa leaf has functions of clearing the lungs and relieving cough, as well as lowering adverse Qi and stopping vomiting. It is mainly used to alleviate symptoms such as cough caused by lung heat, thick phlegm, and dyspnea due to ascending Qi. Pipa leaf is slightly cold in nature and enters the lung and stomach meridians. It contains amygdalin and volatile oil, which can relieve respiratory inflammation, dilute sputum, and help expel phlegm from the body, thus achieving the effect of clearing the lungs and relieving cough. It is particularly effective in alleviating symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath caused by lung heat, and is often used in combination with other Chinese herbal medicines such as mulberry leaf, chrysanthemum flower, and apricot seed.

However, pipa leaf is not suitable for all types of cough. It is not advisable to use pipa leaf for wind-cold cough, because pipa leaf is cold in nature while wind-cold cough is mainly caused by external contraction of wind-cold pathogenic factors, which should be treated primarily by warming the lungs and dispersing cold. If the cough is caused by bronchitis or pneumonia, or accompanied by symptoms such as fever, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing, relying solely on pipa leaf may not achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

During the illness, it is recommended to maintain good living habits, such as drinking more water and avoiding irritants like smoking and alcohol, which can also aid in the recovery from cough.

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Which cough medicine is more effective?

Generally speaking, there is no definitive answer to the question of "which cough medicine works better." Commonly used oral medications for treating cough include dextromethorphan and guaifenesin syrup, pentoxifylline citrate tablets, ambroxol oral solution, acetylcysteine granules, cefaclor capsules, etc. Patients should choose appropriate medications according to the type and underlying cause of their cough under medical guidance.

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What are the reasons for a persistent cough, and how can it be treated?

In general, persistent coughing may be caused by ongoing environmental irritation, low immune function, allergic cough, prolonged acute bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and then improve symptoms through general measures, medication, or other treatments under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, and limit consumption of spicy or overly sweet foods.

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What are the differences between cough caused by mycoplasma infection and common cough?

The differences between cough caused by mycoplasma infection and ordinary cough mainly include duration, nature of the cough, accompanying symptoms, triggering factors, and response to treatment. In daily life, it is important to stay warm, avoid cold exposure, maintain good indoor ventilation, and reduce visits to crowded places. During episodes of coughing, drink plenty of warm water and avoid spicy or irritating foods to help alleviate cough symptoms.