Armeniaca, Apricot, Xing Ren 杏仁

Malus Armenius (‘Apple of Armenia’)
Xing Ren (Apricot kernel, TCM)
Picture Kreutterbuch, Matthiolus, 1586

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Botanical name:


Prunus armeniaca
Other species used in TCM include:
  1. P. sibirica
  2. P. manshurica
  3. P. armeniaca L. var ansu

Parts used:


Kernel; Oil; rarely the Fruit or Flower
Sweet and Bitter varieties of Kernels are used.

Temperature & Taste:


Fruit: Cool, moist
Kernel: Slightly Warm, Moist. Bitter, slightly Toxic

Classification:


Q. Stop Cough and Wheezing

Uses:


1. Stops Cough, Relieves Wheezing:
-used for various kinds of Cough and Wheezing, hot, cold, excess or deficient, depending on the herbs its combined with.
-Sweet is better for deficient conditions, Bitter for excess. Bitter is stronger to settle Cough and relieve Wheezing

2. Moistens the Intestines, Opens Obstructions:
-gentle moist laxative in dryness of the bowels
-obstructions in the muscles or organs; Trauma, insternal stagnations
-also applied topically for Hemorrhoids (West)


Dose:


Powder: 500mg–3 grams
Decoction: 3–9 grams

Comment:


1. Apricot kernel and Almond kernel are very similar. Both have Sweet and Bitter varieties. Sweet Apricot kernels have a nature similar to sweet Almonds, though not as good. Bitter Almonds are also similar to bitter Apricot kernels, although again, Bitter Almonds tend to be more bitter, and are generally stronger. The Chinese name Xing can be applied to both Almonds and Apricot kernels.

Substitute:


… available in PRO version

Preparation:


… available in PRO version
Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Cough, Wheezing:
i. Apricot kernel with … available in PRO version
ii. acute dry Cough from Wind-Cold, Apricot kernel with … available in PRO version
iii. Wind-Heat Cough, Apricot kernel with … available in PRO version
iv. Cough and Wheezing from excess, Apricot kernel with … available in PRO version
v. Lung-heat Cough and Wheezing, Apricot kernel with … available in PRO version
vi. dry Cough with weakness, Apricot kernel with … available in PRO version
2. Constipation from dryness or Yin deficiency:
i. Apricot kernel with … available in PRO version
3. For all diseases, Apricot kernels … available in PRO version
4. Abscess of the Anus, Apricot kernel oil with … available in PRO version
5. Burns, mingle Apricot kernel oil, … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:


Ma Huang Tang
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang
Da Qing Long Tang
San Ao Tang
San Ren Tang
Xing Su San
Wu Ren Wan

Cautions:


1. Avoid overdose of the Bitter Kernels.
2. Only Sweet kernels should be used in Children.

Main Preparations used:


Apricot kernel oil, Preserved Apricots