1. Description
Ansu apricot (scientific name: Prunus armeniaca, also known as Armeniaca vulgaris, Armenian plum, Siberian apricot or Tibetan apricot; Chinese Pinyin: Xing, Simplified Chinese: 杏, 杏子, 杏仁), is a species of deciduous fruit-bearing tree with white to pinkish flower and yellow to orange drupe in genus Prunus in the rose family, Rosaceae. Habitats of Ansu apricot include hillsides and forest, the plant can grow up to 8 m tall. Characteristics of Ansu apricot include ability to withstand cultivation at altitudes over 3,000 meters above sea level, tolerance for drought, cold and wind. The kernel of Ansu apricot is used as antitussive, antiasthmatic and aperitive in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels
The kernel of Ansu apricot is considered to have sweet, bitter, warm, cold, aperitive and mildly toxic properties and to be associated with the lung and large intestine meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Ansu Apricot & Medical Formulas
3.1 Coughing
Apricot contains rich amygdalin which has anti-asthmatic properties. The almond in the apricots exhibits a strong functionality to relieve cough and asthma symptoms quickly and effectively.
Pills made with root of anemarrhena asphodeloides, apricot kernel and radish seed can be taken with ginger soup to remedy a chronic cough.
3.2 Reducing Inflammation, Swelling And Relieving Pain
Sulfur, dried apricot kernel and mercury are to be pounded and mixed for external application to treat a red swollen nose caused by rosacea.
3.3 Skin Health
Apricot kernel oil is very light and gentle on the skin. This is used to moisturize normal and oily skin. The texture of such oil is very light so it can be used as a face serum. Apricot kernel oil doesn’t give a greasy coat on the application. This also easily rehydrates skin.
Ointment made with rheum officinale root, apricot kernel and lard oil is used externally to heal sores inside nose.
3.4 Eye Health
Dried apricot kernel and sal ammoniac are to be pounded and cooked in water, the solution can be used externally to treat pterygium (Surfer’s Eye, Chinese: 眼生弩肉).
3.5 Bronchitis
A decoction of Gnaphalium affine, coltsfoot flower, apricot kernel, common hogfenneI root, the bulb of fritillary and ephedra is taken orally to treat bronchitis.
3.6 Gynecological Diseases and Disorders
A mixture of alum, honey and dried apricot kernel are to be pounded and made into pills for external usage to treat irregular menstrual periods and vaginal discharge.
3.7 Pregnancy
A decoction of nutgrass root, perilla leaves, ephedra, apricot kernel and licorice root is taken orally to prevent miscarriage.
3.8 The Digestive System
Pills made with asbestos, calcined actinolite (阳起石), ferula asafoetida (阿魏), croton, apricot kernel and millet can be used in treatment for abdominal distension, vomiting and diarrhoea.
4. Contraindication, Side-effects & Cautions
Overdose on apricot kernel can cause poisoning.
Source: henan.3158.cn
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.