Apricot Kernel (Xing Ren)
Apricot Kernel (Xing Ren) (Top: Sweet Apricot Kernel, Bottom: Bitter Apricot Kernel) (Sweet Apricot Kernel: Larger, slightly symmetrical left and right, cotyledons joined without gaps, sweet)
Apricot Kernel (Xing Ren) – Skin Removed (Bitter Apricot Kernel: Flat heart shape, apex gradually pointed, base blunt and rounded, seed coat reddish-brown with brown stripes, asymmetrical left and right, hilum, two milky white fleshy cotyledons, joint gap)
Southern Apricot Kernel (Xing Ren) (Top 3: Unsulfured, Middle 2: Sulfured, Bottom 1: Northern Apricot Kernel, sulfured)
【Naming】
【Source】
Listed in the Miscellaneous Records (Bie Lu Xia Pin)
【Common Usage Degree】
B
【Botanical Origin】
The dried ripe seeds of Prunus armeniaca L. var. ansu Maxim. or Prunus armeniaca L. and other related plants in the same genus of Rosaceae. The former is Bitter Apricot Kernel, and the latter is Sweet Apricot Kernel.
【Characteristics】
(1) Apricot Kernel: Presents a slightly flattened heart shape, 1~1.8 cm long, about 0.8~1.5 cm wide, 0.5~0.8 cm thick, apex gradually pointed, base blunt and rounded, asymmetrical left and right. Seed coat reddish-brown or dark brown, with brown stripes radiating from the base to the apex, the surface has slight longitudinal wrinkles; one end is pointed, the other end is blunt and rounded, asymmetrical left and right. At the apex, there is a light-colored short linear hilum. The seed coat is thin, with two milky white, fleshy cotyledons rich in oil inside. There is often a gap in the middle of the joint surface. The radicle is located at its apex. It tastes bitter. When ground with water, it produces Benzaldehyde aroma and has a special apricot kernel flavor.
(2) Sweet Apricot Kernel: The main difference from Bitter Apricot Kernel is that it is larger in shape, 1.6~2.6 cm long, 1.2~1.6 cm wide, 6 mm thick, slightly symmetrical left and right, the surface is light brown to dark brown, the seed coat is very thick, the texture is relatively hard, and there is often no gap in the cotyledon joint surface. The taste is slightly sweet and not bitter.
【Processing】
1. Stir-fried Apricot Kernel 2. Apricot Kernel Powder
【Identification】
“Apricot Kernel…the long and plump ones are good.” – Universal Relief Prescriptions. “The ones with white kernels and large grains are the best.” – Identification of Good and Bad.
It is best to choose those with uniform particles, plump and thick, white kernels, bitter taste, and no oiliness.
【Identification Terminology】
1. Kernel: (1) Refers to the seed part inside the fruit core or fruit shell, including the endosperm, embryo, and cotyledons, generally referred to as “kernel” or “seed kernel.” When used medicinally, the outer seed coat is removed, and the edible seed kernel is taken, such as Bitter Apricot Kernel, Peach Kernel. (2) Refers to the sac-like contents of animal medicinal materials, such as Bile Kernel, Musk Kernel, etc.
2. Tip: Generally refers to the radicle of seed medicinal materials, such as Bitter Apricot Kernel, Peach Kernel. Its “tip” is often required to be removed during processing.
3. Oiliness: (1) Refers to the characteristics of seed and fruit medicinal materials containing fatty oil. Such as Bitter Apricot Kernel, Walnut Peach Kernel. (2) The characteristics of medicinal materials containing volatile oil, the medicinal material is oily, the cross-section often has brownish-yellow oil spots, and has an aromatic odor. Such as Angelica, Clove, Citrus Peel, etc. Commonly used to refer to the size of the oiliness observed by scratching or cross-section, as one of the indicators of quality.
4. Core: Refers to the hard endocarp of the fruit medicinal material drupe, such as the inner peel of the apricot is called the apricot core. Or refers to some seeds, such as the seeds of oranges, called orange seeds. The core is often used as a quality indicator of medicinal materials, such as Hawthorn is better with fewer cores, and Black Plum is better with smaller cores.
5. Bulging Belly: Refers to the bitter apricot kernel’s seeds being flat heart-shaped or peach-shaped, slightly pointed at the top, asymmetrical left and right at the base, and the middle is significantly enlarged, shaped like a “bulging belly.”
【Category】
Seeds