1. Description

The peach (scientific name: Prunus persica, also known as Amygdalus persica; Chinese Pinyin: Tao, Simplified Chinese: 桃), is a species of deciduous, fruit-bearing tree originated in Northern China with white, pink and red flower and drupe with crimson red over greenish yellow ground color. The plant in genus Prunus in the rose family, Rosaceae. Characteristics of peach include tolerance for cold and drought. The rhizome, leaves, resin, fruits and seeds of peach are used as herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as skin ulcers and hemiparesis.

2. Odour, Properties And Channels

The kernel of peach is considered to have bitter, sweet, neutral and toxic properties and to be associated with the stomach and large intestine meridians.

The resin, root bark, flower and leaves of peach are considered to have bitter, neutral and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the stomach and large intestine meridians.

3. Uses, Health Benefits of The Peach & Medical Formulas

3.1 Antioxidant

The peels and the flesh of peaches contain powerful antioxidant properties (such as Beta-carotene). The presence of chlorogenic acid found in peaches enhance the protective effects. Antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-crytoxanthin help in scavenging the oxygen-derived free radicals and prevent various diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.

3.2 Hypokalemia

Peach is rich in potassium which is a very important mineral for the proper function of all cells, tissues, and organs in the human body (there is 190mg potassium per 100g peach). Therefore, high dietary intakes of potassium can help prevent low potassium (hypokalemia) which has symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, medications, laxatives, diuretics and renal disease.

3.3 Reducing Inflammation, Swelling And Relieving Pain

A decoction of red dates (pits removed), ferrous sulfate, water, peach pit, fruits of willow can be used externally to heal ocular Inflammation (inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of eye).

3.4 Breast Cancer

Researches found out that peach fruit has chemical compounds that are responsible for killing breast cancer cells while not affecting normal cells, and also the mixture of compounds can inhibit breast cancer metastasis in mice (sciencedaily.com 2014).

3.5 Skin Health

A decoction of Vaccaria hispanica seeds, peach twig, cornus root, cornus bark, Cnidium monnieri seeds, Vitex negundo seeds, Pleioblastus Amarus leaves and hempseed can be used externally to treat skin ulcers.

3.6 Hemiparesis

Pills made with peach kernels and fine wine is taken orally to treat hemiparesis, or unilateral paresis (weakness of one entire side of the body).

3.7 Constipation

A mixture of peach kernels, Tetradium ruticarpum fruit and table salt are fried and chewed to treat chronic constipation.

3.8 Gynecological Diseases and Disorders

Sichuan Lovage Rhizome can be prescribed with red peony root and peach kernel to relieve missed periods and menstrual pain that due to blood stasis.

3.9 Enhance Vision And Eye Health

Peaches contain rich beta-carotene which is most common type of pro-vitamin A (a fat-soluble vitamin that is stored in the liver). Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucus membranes, and skin. It is also known as retinol because it produces the pigments in the retina of the eye. Vitamin A promotes good vision, especially in low light (medlineplus.gov 2015).

3.10 Pregnancy Food

Peaches are rich in vitamin C, fiber, iron, vitamin A, niacin, potassium, vitamin B (folate), magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and copper which can aid in infant’s brain development as well as cell production process.

3.11 Excessive Sweating

A decoction of peach, Chinese plum, root of green onion, juncus effusus, dried tangerine peel, rice root and barley malt is taken orally to treat spontaneous and night sweating.

3.12 Cold Feet

Sal ammoniac, peach seed, wine and flour can be processed into pills for oral taking to treat cold feet and toes.

4. Contraindication, Side-effects & Cautions

Administration with caution for people experiencing diabetes.

List of reference

medlineplus.gov 2015 Vitamin A [online] link: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002400.htm

sciencedaily.com 2014 Peaches inhibit breast cancer metastasis in mice [online] link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140325164445.htm

The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.

The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.

Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.