INSIGHT

"Like most related plants, the seeds (pips) and young leaves of the plant are slightly poisonous, containing small amounts of cyanogenetic glycocides which release cyanide when digested, though the low concentration and bitter flavour normally prevents enough being eaten to cause harm."

The above is believed by Chinese MDs, how it is effective against things like cancer. The cancer pulls in the very small amounts of cyanide and kills just the cancer. My understanding is that the old leaves and the fruit without the seeds don't contain the small amounts of cyanide at all, so you would have to eat young leaves or the whole fruit (with seeds) in moderation in order to kill things like cancer(don't try this before checking with your doctor). Although there are different views on this, such as on the following site. http://www.planetherbs.com/articles/loquat_leaf.htm

"The name loquat derives from lo gwat, the Cantonese transliteration of its old classical Chinese name (Simplified Chinese: 芦橘; Traditional Chinese: 蘆橘; pinyin: lújú). In modern Chinese, it is more commonly known as pipa (Chinese: 枇杷; pinyin: pípá), from the resemblance of its shape to that of the Chinese musical instrument pipa (琵琶). Other names include biwa (Japanese), Japanese medlar, nispero (Spanish), nyespro (Catalan),sheseq and mousmoula (Greek). The loquat was often mentioned in ancient Chinese literature, such as the poems of Li Bai."

To buy some good fresh Loquats go to the below site:
http://www.gemworld.com/Loquats.ASP