This product is the mature seed of the deciduous small tree (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) or the mountain peach (P. davidiana (Carr.) Franch.) of the Rosaceae family. It is found in most regions of the country, mainly produced in the central and southern areas. After the fruit ripens, the pits are collected, the seeds are extracted, peeled, dried in the sun for raw use, or stir-fried for use.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Bitter and sweet, neutral. slightly toxic. act on heart, liver and large intestine channels.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Invigorating blood and resolving stasis, moistening intestines to relieve constipation.

bubble_chart Indications

1. is used for various stasis pattern, such as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum stasis abdominal pain, abdominal masses, and traumatic injuries. This herb has a bitter taste and enters the heart and liver blood aspects, effectively draining blood stasis and possessing strong blood-breaking properties, hence it is also known as a blood stasis-breaking herb. For treating blood stasis amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, it is often combined with Carthamus, Chinese Angelica, Sichuan Lovage Rhizome, etc., as in Peach Kernel, Carthamus and Four-Ingredient Decoction. For postpartum stasis abdominal pain, it is often combined with Blast-Fried Ginger, Sichuan Lovage Rhizome, etc., as in Generation and Transformation Decoction. For abdominal mass disease, it is combined with Cinnamon Twig, Moutan Bark, Red Peony Root, etc., as in Cinnamon Twig and Poria Pill; or combined with Sparganium Rhizome, Zedoary Rhizome, etc. If there is severe static blood in the body requiring blood-breaking and stasis-removing, it can be combined with Rhubarb Rhizoma, Mirabilite, Cinnamon Twig, as in Peach Kernel Purgative Decoction. In modern times, injections of Peach Kernel glycosides extracted from Peach Kernel have been used intravenously to treat hepatosplenomegaly, showing significant reduction effects, particularly on the spleen. For traumatic injuries, swelling, and pain, it is often combined with Chinese Angelica, Carthamus, Rhubarb Rhizoma, etc., as in Origin-Restoring Blood-Invigorating Decoction.
2. It is used for intestinal dryness and constipation. As a seed kernel, it contains oils that can moisten dryness and lubricate the intestines, often combined with Chinese Angelica, Hemp Seed, etc., as in Intestine-Moistening Pill.
3. It is used for lung abscess and intestinal abscess. Peach Kernel is effective in draining stagnation in the blood aspect, as abscesses are caused by heat toxin accumulation and qi-blood stagnation. This herb is often combined with heat-clearing medicinals to clear heat, remove toxins, invigorate blood, and resolve carbuncles. For lung abscess, it is combined with Phragmites Stem, waxgourd seed, as in Phragmites Stem Decoction; for intestinal abscess, it is combined with Rhubarb Rhizoma, Moutan Bark, as in Rhubarb and Peony Peel Decoction, or combined with Sargentgloryvine Stem, Patrinia, waxgourd seed, etc.
4. Additionally, this herb can also be used to treat cough and panting, with cough-suppressing and panting-calming effects, often combined with Bitter Apricot Seed, etc.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Bielu: "Stops cough with dyspnea, relieves hardness below the heart, eliminates sudden violent blood stasis, breaks abdominal mass, promotes menstruation, and alleviates pain."
2. Zhenzhunang: "Treats blood stasis, blood constipation, and blood dryness, moistens and promotes bowel movement, breaks blood accumulation."
3. Bencao Jingshu: "Peach Kernel, its nature is good at breaking blood stasis, dispersing without gathering, purging without tonifying. Overuse or improper use can cause blood to flow downward incessantly, injuring true yin and causing significant harm."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct 5-10g, it is advisable to crush before decoction.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Pregnant women should avoid taking it; those with loose stools should use it with caution. It is toxic and should not be taken in excess, as overdose may cause headache, dizzy vision, palpitation, and even respiratory failure leading to death.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

This product contains bitter apricot seed glycosides, bitter apricot seed enzymes, allantoinase, lactase, vitamin B₁, volatile oils, fatty oils, etc. It can promote uterine contractions in primiparas; has anticoagulant and weak hemolytic effects, improving blood flow obstruction and circulation disorders; can increase cerebral blood flow, dilate rabbit ear blood vessels; has a sedative effect on the respiratory center; and the fatty oils have a laxative effect.