English: Apricot seeds
Chinese: 杏仁
Parts used: Dried ripe seeds
TCM category: Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
TCM nature: Warm
Organ affinity: Large intestine Lung
Scientific name: Prunus armeniaca, Prunus sibirica or Prunus mandshurica
Other names: Armeniacae Semen
Use of Xing Ren (apricot seeds) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove the seeds from the apricot and dry them.
Dosage: 3 - 9 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Stops cough and wheezing caused by either Heat or Cold. Lubricates the Intestines and relieves constipation.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Xing Ren may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Coughing Asthma Bronchitis Dry cough Constipation
Contraindications*: This herb should be used with caution when there is Yin Deficiency and with infants. It should not be used when there is diarrhea. Eating too much may cause cyanide intoxication because apricot seeds contain hydrocyanic glycosides.
Common TCM formulas in which Xing Ren is used*
Xing Su San
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Formula key actions: Clears Dry-Cold. Disseminates the Lung Qi and relieves cough. Transforms thin mucus.
Conditions targeted*: Common coldBronchitis and others
Xing Ren is a king ingredient in Xing Su San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Xing Su San, Xing Ren disseminates the Lung Qi and stops coughing.
San Ren Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Formula key actions: Clears Damp-Heat. Disseminates the Qi. Facilitates the Qi mechanisms.
Conditions targeted*: TyphoidPyelonephritis and others
Xing Ren is a king ingredient in San Ren Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In San Ren Tang, Xing Ren it dredges the Lung Qi, opens what is clogged, and facilitates the downward-directing of Qi and Fluids
Sang Xing Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula key actions: Clears and disperses Dryness.
Conditions targeted*: Upper respiratory tract infectionsAcute bronchitis and others
Xing Ren is a king ingredient in Sang Xing Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Sang Xing Tang, Xing Ren descends Qi and transforms Phlegm so as to stop coughing. It focuses directly on the Interior and the Lung, while the other key herb Mulberry leaves are more on the Exterior. The combination of these two key herbs invigorates and moistens the Lung Qi.
Key TCM concepts behind Xing Ren's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Xing Ren belongs to the 'Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing' category. In TCM Phlegm is a condition of Stagnation of Fluids which tends to start in the Spleen and then goes to the Lungs. If this overly accumulates it thickens and becomes pathological Phlegm. Phlegm, being a form of Stagnation, often starts as being Cool and transforms to Hot as the condition progresses. Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing treat branch symptoms of this Stagnation and tend to have antitussive, expectorant, diuretic or laxative properties.
Furthermore Xing Ren is Warm in nature. This means that Xing Ren tends to help people who have too much 'Cold' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition Xing Ren can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Xing Ren also tastes Bitter and Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like Xing Ren tends to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. On the other hand Sweet ingredients tend to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Xing Ren is thought to target the Large intestine and the Lung. In TCM the Large Intestine receives the "impure" parts of the digested food from the Small Intestine, absorbs the remaining fluids and excrete the remainder as feces. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.
Research on Xing Ren
Methanol and water extracts of sweet and bitter apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernels display significant antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity.1
Sources:
1. D Yiğit, N Yiğit, A Mavi (2009). "Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of bitter and sweet apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernels". Braz J Med Biol Res, Volume 42(4) 346-352
Use of Xing Ren as food
Xing Ren is also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Apricot Amaretti Cookies.