The efficacy and function of sweet almonds

The medicinal value of sweet almonds is beyond our imagination. It is very effective in treating some diseases. Sweet almonds contain many substances that are beneficial to the human body. Let’s take a look.

[Source] The sweet dried seeds of some cultivated species of apricot or wild apricot of the Rosaceae family. Pick the fruit when it is ripe, remove the pulp and shell, take out the seeds and dry them.

[Original form] For the plant morphology, please refer to the entry "Almond".

[Habitat distribution] It is mainly produced in Hebei, Beijing, Shandong and other places; in addition, it is also produced in Shaanxi, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Xinjiang, Shanxi, Northeast China and other places.

[Properties] The dry seeds are flat heart-shaped, 1.6-2.1 cm long, 1.2-1.6 cm wide, with a pointed apex, a round base, bilateral symmetry, and a distinct seed ridge. The seed coat is thicker than that of bitter almonds, light yellow-brown, with many dark brown veins scattered from the chalaza to form longitudinal concave lines. Cross section white. Gaps are common on the cotyledon junction surface. Slight odor, slightly sweet taste. The best ones are those with uniform, large grains, full and thick, and not oily.

[Preparation] Pick out impurities, put into boiling water and cook briefly, take out when the skin is slightly wrinkled, soak in cold water, remove the seed coat, dry in the sun and winnow.

【Nature and flavor】 ① "Benbi Bian Du": "sweet in taste, neutral in nature."

【Meridian】 "Sichuan Chinese Medicine Annals": "enters the lung and large intestine meridians."

【Functions and indications】Moistens the lungs and relieves asthma. Treats cough and asthma due to deficiency, dry intestine and constipation.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 2 to 3 qian; or make into pills. For external use: mash and apply.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Ben Cao Bian Du" states: "Sweet almonds can be eaten as fruit, and their main functions are similar to those of almonds. They are used in prescriptions for cough caused by consumptive diseases, and they do not have a bitter or inferior nature."

[Remarks] This product is sometimes used as almond in Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, Sichuan, Shaanxi and other places.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

Sweet almonds are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and can be used to treat a variety of diseases. We should eat sweet almonds only after fully understanding their effects and functions. I hope everyone doesn’t eat carelessly.