Sweet Apricot Seed
杏仁 · Xìng Rén
Soothes coughs and softens stubborn constipation
What it does
Sweet apricot kernel calms coughs and softens dry constipation. In TCM, it downbears lung qi, a way of saying it settles the upward chest movement that drives coughing. It also transforms phlegm and moistens the intestines. The sweet variety is gentler than bitter apricot seed and appears in food-medicine recipes. Always cooked or processed, since raw seeds contain amygdalin.
How to take it
Simmer 6–12g of cooked sweet apricot kernels with pork or chicken broth and pears for 1+ hours, in classic Cantonese double-boiled style. Sip the broth warm.
Try a Cantonese double-boiled apricot kernel and pork broth for a dry cough
Crush soaked kernels into 'almond' jelly, sweet rice porridge, or blanc-mange desserts. Always cooked or processed first; never eat raw.
Try a Cantonese 'almond' jelly dessert made with sweet apricot kernels
Safety
- Always cook apricot kernels. Raw seeds contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide
- Stay within recommended doses. Even cooked, large amounts can be toxic
- Skip during pregnancy
- Do not give to young children unsupervised
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Apricot kernels come from inside the apricot stone. TCM distinguishes two types: bitter and sweet. The sweet kernel comes from cultivated apricot varieties like Prunus armeniaca var. ansu and is more food-friendly. It's the kernel used in dishes like Cantonese double-boiled soups and the 'almond' flavor of Chinese desserts (despite no actual almonds). Both kernels are classified as cough-resolvers, but the sweet type is gentler and safer for daily use.