Armeniacae Semen Amarum
Aliases：Kǔ Hé Rén、Shān Xìng Rén、Xìng Zǐ、Mù Luò Zǐ、Běi Xìng Rén
Xingren (Bitter Apricot Seed) is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb for stopping cough and relieving asthma. It consists of the dried mature seeds of Prunus armeniaca L., Prunus sibirica L., Prunus mandshurica (Maxim.) Koehne, or other related Prunus species (family Rosaceae).
Efficacy & Actions
Direct rebellious Qi downward to transform Phlegm, relieve cough and wheezing, and moisten the Intestines to unblock the bowels.
Indications
This product is indicated for constipation, chest stuffiness, blood deficiency, wheezing, and cough with profuse sputum.
Modern Pharmacology
After oral administration of bitter apricot seeds (Xingren), the constituent amygdalin is hydrolyzed by enzymes to release hydrocyanic acid (hydrogen cyanide). It is suggested that when taken in small amounts, the seeds decompose slowly in the body, generating only trace quantities of hydrocyanic acid. This amount is insufficient to cause toxicity but may exert a mild sedative effect on the respiratory center, thereby calming respiratory movements and producing antitussive and antiasthmatic effects.
Ingredients
ing Ren (bitter apricot seed) contains amygdalin and emulsin (amygdalinase).
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: 3–9 g in decoction. The seeds should be crushed and decocted first.
Contraindications
Xing Ren (bitter apricot seed) is slightly toxic. It should be used with caution in children and pregnant women.
Selected Formulas
1. Xingren combined with Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) Xingren is bitter in taste and has a descending action. It directs qi downward, stops cough, resolves phlegm, and calms wheezing. It is an essential herb for treating cough and wheezing, regardless of wind‑cold, wind‑heat, external contraction, or internal injury. Jiegeng is bitter and pungent, neutral in nature, and enters the lung meridian. It disperses lung qi, soothes the throat, and has a good phlegm‑resolving effect. It is a key herb for treating cough with profuse phlegm, irrespective of cold, heat, deficiency, or excess patterns. When combined, the two herbs mutually enhance dispersion and descending, harmonize qi movement, and exert a marked effect on dispersing lung qi, descending qi, stopping cough, and eliminating phlegm. Indicated for cough, chest stuffiness, profuse phlegm, sore throat, and hoarseness due to failure of lung qi to disperse, caused by external contraction (regardless of cold/heat, deficiency/excess). 2. Xingren combined with Zisuzi (Perilla Fruit) Both herbs have anti‑asthmatic and laxative effects. Xingren focuses on descending qi to stop cough and relieve wheezing, making it suitable for various types of cough and wheezing (external/internal, cold/heat, deficiency/excess). Zisuzi excels at clearing phlegm, descending qi, and relieving wheezing, especially for cough and wheezing with qi counterflow and phlegm congestion. Used together, they strongly descend qi, regulate the lung, moisten the intestines, and relieve constipation. Commonly indicated for wind‑cold cough with qi‑counterflow cough and difficult defecation due to visceral qi disharmony. 3. Xingren combined with Mahuang (Ephedra) Xingren is bitter and warm, with a descending action. It excels at descending qi to stop cough, while also resolving phlegm and calming wheezing. Mahuang is pungent and warm, with a dispersing action. It is good at expelling wind‑cold, opening and dispersing lung qi to stop cough and relieve wheezing. Their combination (one descending, one dispersing) harmonizes qi movement and significantly enhances the antitussive and antiasthmatic effects. Used for cough and wheezing of excess type due to external wind‑cold and lung qi stagnation. 4. Xingren combined with Taoren (Peach Seed) Both are seeds rich in oils, thus having a laxative effect. Xingren focuses on descending qi to stop cough and wheeze and moistening the intestines. Taoren focuses on breaking stasis and invigorating blood, while also moistening the intestines, descending qi, and stopping cough. The combination significantly enhances laxative and antitussive effects, and also promotes blood circulation to remove stasis. Indicated for constipation due to intestinal dryness caused by fluid insufficiency, and for chronic cough with qi counterflow due to failure of lung dispersion and descending, especially with accompanying blood stasis.
Daily Consumption
I. Distinguish Sweet Almonds from Bitter Almonds Sweet almonds: Can be eaten raw or cooked; mild sweetness; high safety. Bitter almonds: Slightly toxic. Must be processed (soaking, boiling, removing tips and skins) to eliminate hydrocyanic acid before consumption. Dosage strictly controlled. Children and pregnant women prohibited. II. Common Consumption Methods As a snack (sweet almonds only): 10–15 nuts per day. Almond milk: 30g almonds (sweet or processed bitter), soak and peel, add 500ml water, blend with a soymilk maker. May add rock sugar or milk. Congee: 10–15g almonds, cook with rice or millet. Moistens lung and relieves cough. Almond paste: Almonds + glutinous rice flour + rock sugar, stir‑fry until fragrant, then add water and cook into a paste. Almond tea: Grind almonds into powder, steep in boiling water, add honey. Cold dish / stir‑fry: Blanch almonds, then toss with celery, lily bulb, or stir‑fry with shrimp or chicken. III. Precautions Bitter almonds: Do not exceed 10 nuts (approx. 5–10g) per day. Avoid long‑term consumption. Must be boiled (10–15 minutes) to decompose hydrocyanic acid. Contraindications: Pregnant women, infants, diarrhea patients, and those with heat‑type cough should not eat bitter almonds.
Medicinal Parts
seed
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from insects.