Ce produit n'est pas destiné à diagnostiquer, traiter, guérir ou prévenir toute maladie. Ces déclarations n'ont pas été évaluées par la Food and Drug Administration.
Ces informations sont fournies à titre éducatif uniquement et ne remplacent pas un avis médical professionnel, un diagnostic ou un traitement. Consultez toujours votre professionnel de santé avant d'utiliser des plantes, surtout si vous êtes enceinte, allaitez, prenez des médicaments ou avez une condition médicale.
Ku Xing Ren contains amygdalin and prunasin, cyanogenic glycosides that release small amounts of hydrogen cyanide when metabolized. This HCN acts on the respiratory center to suppress the cough reflex, providing the herb's antitussive effect. The seeds also contain fatty oils that moisten the intestines for constipation relief. Evidence Level: C—preclinical studies support this mechanism, though clinical trials remain limited.
Is Ku Xing Ren safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
No, Ku Xing Ren is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The cyanogenic glycosides can release hydrogen cyanide, which may cross the placenta and harm fetal development. Infants and young children should also avoid this herb due to immature detoxification systems. Women who are pregnant, nursing, or planning pregnancy should not use Ku Xing Ren. Evidence Level: C—theoretical risk based on known pharmacology.
What is the recommended dosage for Ku Xing Ren?
The standard adult dosage is 4.5-9 grams of hulled seeds daily. Seeds must be stir-fried before use to reduce toxicity by partially degrading cyanogenic compounds. Never exceed recommended doses, as larger amounts can cause hydrogen cyanide toxicity. This herb should only be used under qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner supervision. Evidence Level: Traditional use.
Does Ku Xing Ren interact with any medications?
Ku Xing Ren may interact with central nervous system depressants and respiratory-depressing medications, as cyanogenic compounds can depress respiratory function at high doses. Avoid combining with other herbs containing cyanogenic glycosides. Patients on anticoagulants should exercise caution. Always consult a qualified practitioner before combining with prescription medications. Evidence Level: C.
What are the side effects of Ku Xing Ren?
At recommended doses, Ku Xing Ren may cause mild nausea. Overdose is dangerous—excessive consumption leads to hydrogen cyanide toxicity with symptoms including dizziness, headache, respiratory distress, and potentially respiratory failure or death. Proper preparation (stir-frying) and strict adherence to dosage guidelines are essential. Seek immediate medical attention if overdose symptoms occur. Evidence Level: C.
What is Ku Xing Ren used for in Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Ku Xing Ren (Bitter Apricot Seed) is TCM's premier antitussive herb, used to stop coughs, descend lung qi, and relieve wheezing and asthma. It also moistens the intestines to treat constipation, particularly in elderly or debilitated patients with dry stools. As a fundamental lung herb, it addresses both cough symptoms and underlying lung qi stagnation. Evidence Level: C.
Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed
Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.
Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b
Résumé
Ku Xing Ren Seed (Prunus armeniaca semen) is a medicinal seed used in traditional medicine for various ailments, including lung diseases [PMID: 41034926, PMID: 35890519].
Contexte
The seed of the apricot tree (Prunus armeniaca L.), also known as apricot kernel, is utilized globally for medicinal, edible, and cosmetic purposes [PMID: 36778095, PMID: 35890519]. It is described as an herbal medicinal product in the Chinese and Korean pharmacopeias [PMID: 35890519].
Usages traditionnels
Traditionally used to treat lung diseases [PMID: 41034926], as well as for inflammatory skin conditions such as boils and acne [PMID: 40841614]. Other reported uses include as an antipyretic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, emetic, and ophthalmic remedy [PMID: 35890519].
Composés actifs
Key bioactive compounds include the cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin [PMID: 35919360, PMID: 41034926], prunasin [PMID: 39524411], and various phenolic compounds, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and alkaloids [PMID: 39544277, PMID: 39246415]. The kernel oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, specifically oleic and linoleic acids, as well as tocopherols [PMID: 36778095, PMID: 27262314].
Mécanisme d'action
Amygdalin has been shown to induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells by modulating intracellular proteolysis and downregulating 20S and 26S proteasome activities [PMID: 36364419]. In lung injury models, amygdalin protects the alveolar epithelial barrier by regulating the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor [PMID: 41034926]. It also inhibits Th2 immune responses to alleviate skin inflammation [PMID: 40841614].
Preuves cliniques
Preuve ACOVID-19
Bitter Apricot Seed (Kuxingren) is used as part of Chinese herbal medicine formulas for the prevention and control of COVID-19 [PMID: 32622723]
Preuve DNeuropathic Pain
Apricot kernel oil demonstrated analgesic effects in rats with chronic constriction injury [PMID: 39170485]
Preuve DUlcerative Colitis
Apricot kernel extract and oil showed anti-inflammatory effects and ameliorated TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis in rats [PMID: 25657793]
Preuve CCancer
Apricot kernels may help fight against various diseases such as cancer and cancer immunotherapy [PMID: 35892769]
Sécurité et effets indésirables
Apricot kernels contain cyanogenic glycosides that can lead to cyanide toxicity, as evidenced by a fatal case in a canine [PMID: 38802050]. In humans, a case report linked a TCM supplement containing apricot kernel to tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) in a patient with cardiovascular risk factors [PMID: 39845213].
Interactions médicamenteuses
Potential for serious cardiac conditions when used with modern medications or in non-traditional dosages [PMID: 39845213].
Synthèse des preuves
The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models (rats, rabbits, canines), and review articles. There is one systematic review/meta-analysis regarding its use in COVID-19 formulas and one human case report regarding cardiac adverse effects.
Sources PubMed
1.PMID: 35892769 (2022) — Apricot Kernel: Bioactivity, Characterization, Applications, and Health Attributes. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 36778095 (2023) — Apricot kernel characterization, oil extraction, and its utilization: a review. · Food science and biotechnology
4.PMID: 30728542 (2019) — Production, pomological and nutraceutical properties of apricot. · Journal of food science and technology
5.PMID: 39710033 (2025) — A review on apricot kernel seed proteins and peptides: Biological functions and food applications. · International journal of biological macromolecules
Sources gouvernementales
Aucune monographie gouvernementale directe n'est disponible pour cette plante. Le contenu ci-dessous est généré par IA et n'a pas été vérifié par rapport à une source gouvernementale faisant autorité. Utilisez les liens de recherche pour consulter les sources officielles avant de vous fier à ces informations.
PMID: 35890519 (2022) — Anticancer Potential and Other Pharmacological Properties of Prunus armeniaca L.: An Updated Overview. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
7.PMID: 39170485 (2024) — Analgesic effect of apricot kernel oil on neuropathic pain in rats. · Heliyon
8.PMID: 34556150 (2021) — AprGPD: the apricot genomic and phenotypic database. · Plant methods
9.PMID: 36450584 (2022) — Near-Infrared Metabolic Profiling for Discrimination of Apricot and Peach Kernels. · Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
10.PMID: 35629454 (2022) — Removing Pollutants from Sewage Waters with Ground Apricot Kernel Shell Material. · Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
11.PMID: 35919360 (2022) — Rapid quantitative typing spectra model for distinguishing sweet and bitter apricot kernels. · Food science and biotechnology
12.PMID: 39544277 (2024) — Unlocking the Therapeutic and Antimicrobial Potential of Prunus armeniaca L. Seed Kernel Oil. · International journal of food science
13.PMID: 41034926 (2025) — Amygdalin regulated vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor to protect alveolar epithelial barrier against lung injury induced by influenza a virus. · Chinese medicine
14.PMID: 26396287 (2014) — Value addition of wild apricot fruits grown in North-West Himalayan regions-a review. · Journal of food science and technology
16.PMID: 40363749 (2025) — Batch and Continuous Lipase-Catalyzed Production of Dietetic Structured Lipids from Milk Thistle, Grapeseed, and Apricot Kernel Oils. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
17.PMID: 39246415 (2024) — Analgesic, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Wound-Treating Actions of Bitter Apricot Kernel Extract. · Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences
18.PMID: 40421425 (2025) — Protective effects of apricot kernel oil and metformin against BPA-induced ovarian toxicity in rat models of polycystic ovary syndrome: insights into PI3K/AKT and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. · Toxicology research
19.PMID: 25657793 (2014) — Anti-inflammatory effect of Prunus armeniaca L. (Apricot) extracts ameliorates TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. · Research in pharmaceutical sciences
20.PMID: 39524411 (2024) — Transcriptome analysis reveals genes associated with the bitter-sweet trait of apricot kernels. · Forestry research
21.PMID: 32622723 (2020) — Chinese herbal medicine for coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis. · Pharmacological research
22.PMID: 38341481 (2024) — Effect of apricot kernel seed extract on biophysical properties of chitosan film for packaging applications. · Scientific reports
23.PMID: 40841614 (2025) — Amygdalin alleviates atopic dermatitis-like skin inflammation via inhibition of Th2 immune responses. · Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology
24.PMID: 36364419 (2022) — Targeting Proteolysis with Cyanogenic Glycoside Amygdalin Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
25.PMID: 21779763 (2011) — Antioxidant capacity and phenolics content of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernel as a function of genotype. · Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
26.PMID: 30698299 (2019) — Potential toxicity of cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin and bitter apricot seed in rabbits-Health status evaluation. · Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
28.PMID: 38802050 (2024) — Cyanide toxicity secondary to apricot (Prunus armeniaca) kernel meal ingestion in a canine. · Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
29.PMID: 33670310 (2021) — Accumulation Pattern of Amygdalin and Prunasin and Its Correlation with Fruit and Kernel Agronomic Characteristics during Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Kernel Development. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
30.PMID: 37701210 (2023) — Technological, nutritional, and biological properties of apricot kernel protein hydrolyzates affected by various commercial proteases. · Food science & nutrition