The bitter almond

The bitter almond

SemenArmeniacaeAmarum

Bitter apricot seed

[alias] almond.

[source] it is the seed of Prunus armeniaca L.

[plant morphology] deciduous tree, up to 6m high. The leaves are alternate, broadly ovate or ovoid, 5-10cm long and 3.5-6cm wide, apex short pointed or acuminate, base round, margin with serrulate or inconspicuous double serration; petioles are mostly reddish with 2 glands. Flowers solitary, first leaves open, almost sessile; sepals 5, clasps reflexed; petals 5, white or pink; stamens numerous; carpels 1, pubescent. The drupe is nearly round, about 3cm in diameter, orange yellow; the nucleus is hard, oblate heart-shaped, with grooves along the ventral seam. The flowering period is from March to April and the fruiting period is from May to June.

Most of them are cultivated in low mountains or hills. It is mainly produced in Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shanxi and Shaanxi.

[harvest] harvest mature fruits in summer, remove pulp and core shell, and dry seeds.

[character] the seed is oblate heart-shaped, 1-1.9cm long, 0.8-1.5cm wide and 0.5-0.8cm thick. The surface is yellowish brown to dark brown, one end is pointed, the other end is blunt, round, hypertrophic and asymmetric. There are many dark brown veins on the chalazal point of the round end. Seed coat thin, cotyledons 2, rich in oil. It tastes bitter.

[chemical constituents] it contains amygdalin, fatty oil, emulsin, amygdalase, prunase, estrone, α - estradiol, and streptosterol.

[nature, taste and meridian tropism] it is warm in nature and bitter in taste. Return to lung and large intestine meridians.

[indications] it can reduce Qi, relieve cough and asthma, moisten intestines and defecate. It is used for cough and asthma, chest full of phlegm, blood deficiency and fluid dryness, intestinal dryness and constipation.

[note] Armeniaca sibirica P armeniacaL.var.ansuMaxim The seeds of P. sibirica L. and P. mandshurica (Maxim.) Koehne are also used as bitter almonds.

[usage and dosage] 4.5 ~ 9g, add to the decoction, and then put it down.

[note] oral administration should not be excessive to avoid poisoning.

[storage] store in a cool and dry place to prevent moths.