Apricot Kernel (Xing ren)
Modern sources record safety concerns for this herb. Reference information, not a diagnostic or treatment recommendation.
Modern sources record safety restrictions for bitter apricot kernel (ku xing ren). The WHO monograph on Semen Armeniacae states that it should not be administered during pregnancy or nursing, or to children, and notes that its amygdalin content can produce the symptoms of cyanide poisoning — cyanide being a neurotoxin that causes nausea and vomiting, headache and dizziness, progressing to cyanosis, liver damage, marked hypotension and ataxic neuropathies. This is reference information drawn from modern sources, not a diagnostic or treatment recommendation.
Downbears lung qi to relieve cough and panting, and moistens the intestines to free the stool. Recorded as toxic (the bitter kernel).
Used in 19 formulas
Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu)卷二十九·果部·杏·核仁·主治（《本经》）
- functions_en self-translated from 本草纲目 traditional_functions (public domain; the Chinese tf carries verbatim excerpt_hash citations). No modern work consulted.
- WHO IST-TCM terminology-aligned for the English rendering.
- public pharmacopoeia & botanical facts (public-domain reference facts; no proprietary modern source).
Classical source text (Chinese) — English summary above.
传统中医记载：《本经》载杏核仁主咳逆上气雷鸣、喉痹、下气、产乳金疮、寒心贲豚；《别录》惊痫、心下烦热、风气往来、时行头痛、解肌、消心下急满痛；甄权谓发汗、主温病脚气、咳嗽上气喘促、润心肺；张元素谓除肺热、治上焦风燥、利胸膈气逆、润大肠气秘。
Nature & flavor: 甘、苦，温（冷利），有小毒（核仁；两仁者杀人）；张元素谓入手太阴经。·Meridians: 肺（手太阴）
- Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Licorice and Gypsum Decoction
- Alum Pill
- Poria, Apricot Kernel and Licorice Decoction
- Ephedra, Forsythia and Adzuki Bean Decoction
- Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Coix and Licorice Decoction
- Ephedra Decoction Plus Atractylodes
- Major Sinking into the Chest Pill
- Major Blue Dragon Decoction
- Ephedra Decoction
- Magnolia Bark and Ephedra Decoction
- Rhubarb and Eupolyphaga Pill
- Two-Parts Cinnamon Twig One-Part Ephedra Decoction
- Cannabis Seed Pill
- Clam Shell Decoction
- Poria, Licorice and Schisandra Decoction plus Ginger, Asarum, Pinellia and Apricot Kernel
- Poria, Licorice and Schisandra Decoction plus Ginger, Asarum, Pinellia, Apricot Kernel and Rhubarb
- Half Cinnamon Twig and Half Ephedra Decoction
- Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Magnolia Bark and Apricot Kernel
- Dioscorea Pill
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷二十九·果部·五果类·杏（《别录》下品）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its classification.
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷二十九·果部·杏·释名（甜梅）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its alternate names.
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷二十九·果部·杏·核仁·气味（有小毒·两仁杀人）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its nature & flavor.
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷二十九·果部·杏·核仁·发明（元素·入手太阴经）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its meridian tropism.
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷二十九·果部·杏·核仁·主治（《本经》）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its traditional functions.
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷二十九·果部·杏·核仁·主治（甄权）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its traditional functions.
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷二十九·果部·杏·核仁·主治（元素·润大肠）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its traditional functions.
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷二十九·果部·杏·核仁·气味（两仁者杀人）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its safety notes.