When loquat seeds are eaten raw, cyanosides are hydrolyzed by saliva during chewing, releasing a highly toxic substance hydrocyanic acid. Hydrocyanic acid is a toxic substance, which can easily cause human poisoning. Hydrocyanic acid is absorbed by tissues and cells and combined with iron-containing respiratory enzymes, which leads to hypoxia, damages the function of respiratory and vascular movement centers, and even leads to respiratory paralysis and death in severe cases.
However, loquat seed contains cyanosides and can be used as medicine. Bitter taste, flat nature, entering the lung and stomach meridians, eliminating phlegm, relieving cough and having strong stomach side effects.
However, loquat seed should not be taken in excess, and it is easy to be poisoned or even die if taken orally in excess.