Armeniaca, Apricot, Xing Ren 杏仁
Malus Armenius ('Apple of Armenia')
Xing Ren (Apricot kernel, TCM)
Xing Ren (Apricot kernel, TCM)
Kreutterbuch, Matthiolus, 1586
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
Temperature & Taste:
Fruit: Cool, moist
Kernel: Slightly Warm, Moist. Bitter, slightly Toxic
Classification:
Q. Stop Cough and Wheezing
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
Temperature & Taste:
Fruit: Cool, moist
Kernel: Slightly Warm, Moist. Bitter, slightly Toxic
Classification:
Q. Stop Cough and Wheezing
Uses:
KERNELS
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)
FRUIT
Cools the Stomach
FLOWERS:
Conserve of the Flowers is very useful to prevent and treat Worms in Children.
DOSE:
In Powder: 500mg–3 grams
In 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.
2. Li Shi Zhen said Apricot kernal (Xing Ren) 'releases the muscle layer and disperses wind, directs qi downward and moistens dryness, and reduces accumulation'. This is closely allied to the use of Bitter Almond to open obstructions.
3. Peaches and Apricots were viewed as Cool and moist, and therefore often trouble the Stomach. The adverse effects of eating the fruit can be remedied by eating the kernels.
SUBSTITUTE:
1. Sweet and Bitter Almond may be substituted for Sweet and Bitter Apricot
2. Peach kernel oil or Sweet Almond oil may replace Apricot kernel oil
PREPARATION:
Some old TCM sources suggested steeping the kernels in child's urine to enhance their effect.
In Powder: 500mg–3 grams
In 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.
2. Li Shi Zhen said Apricot kernal (Xing Ren) 'releases the muscle layer and disperses wind, directs qi downward and moistens dryness, and reduces accumulation'. This is closely allied to the use of Bitter Almond to open obstructions.
3. Peaches and Apricots were viewed as Cool and moist, and therefore often trouble the Stomach. The adverse effects of eating the fruit can be remedied by eating the kernels.
SUBSTITUTE:
1. Sweet and Bitter Almond may be substituted for Sweet and Bitter Apricot
2. Peach kernel oil or Sweet Almond oil may replace Apricot kernel oil
PREPARATION:
Some old TCM sources suggested steeping the kernels in child's urine to enhance their effect.
Main Combinations:
1. Cough, Wheezing:
i. Apricot kernel with Licorice as a general for Cough
ii. acute dry Cough from Wind-Cold, Apricot kernel with Perilla Zi Su Ye and Pinellia Ban Xia
iii. Wind-Heat Cough, Apricot kernel with Chrysanthemum Ju Hua and Mulberry leaf (Sang Ye)
iv. Cough and Wheezing from excess, Apricot kernel with Ephedra (Ma Huang), Licorice
v. Lung-heat Cough and Wheezing, Apricot kernel with Ephedra (Ma Huang), Gypsum (Shi Gao), Licorice
vi. dry Cough with weakness, Apricot kernel with Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong (or Asparagus root) and Licorice
2. Constipation from dryness or Yin deficiency:
i. Apricot kernel with Cannabis seed (Huo Ma Ren) and Dang Gui (as in Wu Ren Wan)
3. For all diseases, Apricot kernels were boiled in Child's urine, then mixed with Honey and steamed again with Child's Urine to form a pill mass, from which pills are made. These were called Myriad Disease Pills and were used for 'any disease'. (Chinese Materia Medica, Stuauoft)
4. Abscess of the Anus, Apricot kernel oil with Bdellium (or Myrrh), mix, apply topically
5. Burns, mingle Apricot kernel oil, Onion juice (equal parts), mix and apply (Wirtzung)
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:
Avoid overdose of the Kernels.
Only Sweet kernels should be used in Children.
Main Preparations used:
Apricot kernel oil, Preserved Apricots
Preserved Apricots
The skins of these Apricots are to be plucked off softy, then pour upon them Sugar decocted hard. not over hot: then let it stand the space of one day, or somewhat longer, afterwards seethe the Sugar again, and that so long as the Apricocks do yield any moisture from them'. (Wirtzung)
Avoid overdose of the Kernels.
Only Sweet kernels should be used in Children.
Main Preparations used:
Apricot kernel oil, Preserved Apricots
Preserved Apricots
The skins of these Apricots are to be plucked off softy, then pour upon them Sugar decocted hard. not over hot: then let it stand the space of one day, or somewhat longer, afterwards seethe the Sugar again, and that so long as the Apricocks do yield any moisture from them'. (Wirtzung)