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[Classified as Lower Grade in *Bie Lu*]
【Names】Sweet Plum.
Li Shizhen stated: The seal script character for "Xing" (Apricot) resembles the form of a fruit on a tree branch. Some claim it is composed of "mouth" and "possible," which is incorrect. *Jiangnan Lu* records: Yang Xingmi renamed apricot to Sweet Plum.

【Collection and Explanation】*Bie Lu* states: Apricots grow in the mountains, rivers, and valleys of Jin. They are harvested in May.
Su Song stated: They are now found everywhere. There are several varieties: those that are yellow and round are called Golden Apricots. It is said their seeds originated from Fenliu Mountain in Jinan Commandery, where locals call them Han Emperor Apricots, referring to seeds from Emperor Wu of Han's Shangyuan garden. They are now planted near Bianjing and Luoyang and ripen earliest. Those that are flat and yellowish-green are called Wood Apricots; their taste is sour and inferior.
Mountain apricots are unsuitable for medicinal use. Apricot kernels are best sourced from those cultivated by households coming from the east.
Kou Zongshi stated: Golden apricots are deep ochre-colored with large, flat pits; they are grafted and have the best taste. There are also white apricots, which are greenish-white or slightly yellow when ripe, with a sweet, bland, non-sour taste. Raw apricots can be dried into apricot jerky for consumption. Mountain apricots are only used for their kernels.
Li Shizhen stated: All apricots have round leaves with pointed tips and bloom red flowers in February; some are double-petaled and do not bear fruit. Sweet ones with a sandy texture are called Sandy Apricots; yellow ones with a sour taste are called Plum Apricots; green ones with a yellow tint are called Nai Apricots. Among them, Golden Apricots are as large as pears and as yellow as oranges. *Xijing Zaji* records that Penglai apricot flowers come in five colors, likely an exotic variety. According to Wang Zhen's *Nongshu*: Northern meat apricots are excellent, red, large, and flat, called Vajra Fist. When apricots ripen, extract thick juice, spread it on plates, dry it in the sun, scrape it off by hand, and mix with water to eat, consistent with the principle of the five fruits aiding nutrition.

【Flavor and Properties】Sour, hot, slightly toxic. Excessive raw consumption damages muscles and bones (*Bie Lu*).
Su Song stated: Apricots resembling plums are sour; those resembling peaches are sweet.
Kou Zongshi stated: All apricots are hot in nature. Excessive consumption by children causes sores, carbuncles, and chest heat.
Bian Que stated: Excessive consumption triggers chronic diseases, causing blindness and loss of eyebrows and beard.
Chen Cangqi stated: Excessive consumption generates phlegm-heat and mental confusion. It is particularly contraindicated for postpartum women.

【Indications】Eating dried apricot jerky stops thirst and removes cold and heat toxins. It is the fruit of the Heart; suitable for heart disease patients (Sun Simiao).

【Kernel】
【Preparation】*Bie Lu* states: Harvested in May.
Tao Hongjing stated: For use, soak apricot kernels in hot water, remove skin and tip, and stir-fry until yellow. Alternatively, stir-fry with wheat bran.
Kou Zongshi stated: For use, soak in hot water and remove skin and tip. For every jin of kernels, add one jin of Bai Huoshi (White Fire Stone) and three he of Wudou (Black Soybean), boil together with flowing water from the east from Si hour to Wu hour, then take out and dry for use.
Li Shizhen stated: In medicines treating wind-cold lung diseases, some include skin and tip to utilize their dispersing properties.

【Flavor and Properties】Sweet, bitter, warm, cold, draining, slightly toxic. Kernels with two embryos are lethal and can be used to poison dogs.
Zhu Zhenheng stated: Apricot kernel is hot in nature and can be used for cold conditions.
Sun Simiao stated: If apricot kernel decoction has unresolved white foam, consuming it causes qi stagnation and body heat. Decoctions left overnight induce cold qi.
Li Shizhen stated: Flowers of apricot and peach generally have five petals. If six petals occur, there are invariably two kernels; due to this abnormality, they are toxic.
Xu Zhicai stated: Benefits from fire. Clashes with Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), and Gegen (Pueraria Root); fears Caocao (?).

【Indications】Cough with rebellious qi sounding like thunder, throat obstruction (Hou Bi), descending qi, postpartum disorders, metal wounds, cold heart with Ben Tun (rushing palpitations) (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Convulsions, epigastric restlessness and heat, alternating wind and qi, epidemic headache, releasing the muscle layer, resolving epigastric urgency and fullness, killing dog venom (*Bie Lu*). Resolving tin toxicity (Xu Zhicai). Treating abdominal bi obstruction, inducing sweating, main treatment for warm diseases and beriberi, cough with rebellious and rapid breathing. Decocted with Tianmendong (Asparagus Root), moistens lungs and heart. Made into soup with dairy, moistens voice and qi (Zhen Quan). Clears lung heat, treats upper jiao wind-dryness, benefits chest and diaphragm qi rebellion, moistens large intestine constipation (Zhang Yuansu). Kills parasites, treats various sores and scabies, reduces swelling, removes wind from head and face (Li Shizhen).

【Elucidation】Zhang Yuansu stated: Apricot kernel has thin qi and strong flavor, turbid and sinking, belonging to descending and yin. Enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. Its functions are threefold: moistening lungs, digesting food accumulation, and dispersing stagnant qi.
Mao stated: Apricot kernel dissipates nodules and moistens dryness, clearing wind-heat cough from the lungs. Apricot kernel descends wheezing, treating qi issues; Peach kernel cures mania, treating blood issues. Both treat severe constipation, but must distinguish between qi and blood. Difficulty defecating during the day relates to yang qi; at night to yin blood. Thus, deficient persons with constipation should not be purged excessively. Floating pulse indicates qi; use Apricot Kernel and Chenpi (Tangerine Peel). Sinking pulse indicates blood; use Peach Kernel and Chenpi. Hand Yangming Large Intestine and Hand Taiyin Lung are exterior-interior pairs. Benmen governs movement, Pomen governs closure, serving as the qi channel; thus Chenpi is used as an assistant.
Hao Gu stated: Zhang Zhongjing's Mahuang Tang, and Wang Chaofeng's treatment for cold injury with rebellious qi and wheezing, both use Apricot Kernel because it benefits qi, drains lung, and releases the muscle layer.
Li Shizhen stated: Apricot kernel can disperse and descend, hence used in formulas for releasing muscle and dispersing wind, descending qi and moistening dryness, and resolving accumulation and trauma. Treating sores and killing parasites utilizes its toxicity. According to *Yiyu*: Noodles and bean powder rot when near apricot kernels. Recently, an officer ate too much powder causing accumulation; the physician mixed Jiqi Wan (Accumulation-Resolving Pill) and Apricot Kernel equally, formed pills, and administered with cooked water, curing him after several doses. Also, *Yeren Xianhua* records: Academician Xin Shixun dreamed of the Imperial Aunt who said: Eat apricot kernels to make you smart, robust in old age, and vigorous in mind and heart. Asking for the prescription, she said: Use only Apricot Kernel. After washing mouth, place seven kernels in mouth, wait until skin peels, chew finely with saliva and swallow. Daily consumption changes blood in one year, making one light and healthy. This is Master Shen's formula. Also, Yang Shiying's *Zhizhi Fang* states: Soak five apricot kernels in water, sit upright at dawn, chew each grain thoroughly, and swallow with saliva. Long-term use moistens the five zang organs, removes impurities, dispels wind and brightens eyes, treating liver-kidney wind-deficiency, bluish pupils, and eye nebula/itch. I note: Apricot kernel is hot and descending, not for long-term use. This method works specifically by chewing and swallowing saliva to resolve accumulation. Anciently, there was a method of taking Apricot Dan (Pill), said to be Zuo Ci's formula. Tang Shenwei included it in Bencao, claiming long-term use grants thousands of years of life. This claim is absurd and despicable; I delete the erroneous text below to prevent readers from being deceived.

【Attached Formulas】37 old, 22 new.
Xingjin Dan (Apricot Golden Pill): *Zuo Ci Mijue* says: Also called Caojin Dan. Formula from Hun Huangzi, taken for immortality.
Xia Ji took it, lived 700 years, then became an immortal. People do not believe it because they refuse careful preparation. Method: Find a secluded place.
In Yin month, dig under apricot tree to connect with yang qi. In Feb, clear grass under tree. In Mar, make ridges 5 steps away to drain water. If drought, irrigate with spring water. If frost/snow, burn fire under tree to save buds. In May, collect fallen ripe kernels, 6 dou. Soak in hot water, remove skin and double-kernels. Grind with 3 shi of southern flowing water, extract 2.8 shi juice, remove dregs. Use new iron cauldron, melt 3 jin of butter over chaff/charcoal fire, grind butter completely, then add juice. Place basin on cauldron, drill hole in basin, suspend axle cap with string to bottom of cauldron, plug hole with paper to prevent gas escape. Start with chaff fire, move axle cap 3 times daily to roll juice. After 5 days, dew forms; after 10 days, white frost appears; after 2 more days, frost disappears, golden flower emerges, pill is formed. Open basin, dry over heat, sweep down with feather, mix with jujube flesh, form pills size of wutong seeds. Take 3 pills on empty stomach with warm wine. After 7 days, chronic diseases removed; aphasia, blindness, spasms, paralysis, hernia, hemorrhoids, goiter, epilepsy, sores/swelling, all ten thousand diseases cured. Long-term use brings spiritual connection and immortality. Derivative text omitted. Su Song stated: Ancient methods prepare apricot kernels properly, steam from morning to noon, slow-fire dry for 7 days. Eat on empty stomach every morning. Long-term use preserves youth and extends life, said to be Xia Ji's method. However, apricot kernel can cause blood overflow; slight error leads to uncontrolled bleeding or collapse, so few people take it now. Some say after 2-3 years, diarrhea or umbilical discharge occurs, untreatable.
Xingsu Method (Apricot Butter): Su Song stated: Removes wind-deficiency, cures hundred diseases. Pound 1 shi apricot kernels, grind with 2 shi good wine, filter to get 1.5 shi juice. Add 1.5 dou white honey, mix well, seal in new urn, prevent gas leakage. After 30 days, butter floats on wine, skim into porcelain jar. Collect wine dregs, form pear-sized balls, place in empty room on rack. When becoming malt-jerky consistency, take one ball in morning with previous wine.
Zangqi stated: Apricot milk moistens five zang organs, removes phlegm-cough. Raw or cooked is fine; half-raw/half-cooked is lethal.
Another method Kou Zongshi stated: Treats lung dryness with wheezing/heat, large intestine constipation, moistens five zang organs. Peel apricot kernels, grind fine. Per sheng, add 1.5 sheng water, pound to thick juice. Add 4 liang raw honey, 1 cun licorice root, slow-boil in silver/ceramic vessel to thin paste, add 2 liang butter, store together. Every night, take one spoonful with boiling water. (*Yanyi*).
Wanbing Wan (Ten Thousand Disease Pill): Treats men/women with five labors and seven injuries, all diseases. 1 dou 2 sheng apricot kernels, boil 7 times in child's urine, mix with 4 liang honey. Steam again in 5 shi child's urine in bowl, sun-dry and dew-expose for several days. Chew and eat as desired, cured.
Bufei Wan (Lung-Nourishing Pill), treats cough. 2 large sheng apricot kernels (not mountain-grown, remove double-kernels), soak in 2 dou child's urine. Spring/Summer 7 days, Autumn/Winter 14 days. Grind with skin/tip in sand mortar, filter juice, boil until fish-eye bubbles, soft like batter. Spread on coarse cloth to dry, form pills. Take 30-50 pills before/after meals with tea or wine. Avoid plain congee. (Liu Yuxi *Chuanxin Fang*).
Cough with cold/heat worsening morning/evening, less joy more anger, dull complexion, fluctuating progress, gradual appetite loss, wiry-tight pulse: 0.5 jin apricot kernels peeled/pitted, soaked 7 days in 2 dou child's urine, rinse with warm water, grind in sand mortar to mud, decoct with 3 sheng urine to paste. Take 1 qian with cooked water. Especially good for women. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Long-term lung qi disease, wheezing to cough. Severe cases cured in 2 doses: 2 liang apricot kernels peeled/pitted, soaked in child's urine, change daily (3-4 times in summer), after half month take out, dry and grind fine. Take date-sized dose with 1 mint leaf, chicken-head sized honey, 1 zhong water, decoct to 70%, warm take after meal. Avoid fish/meat. (*Shengjin Fang*).
Rebellious qi cough, adults/children: 3 sheng apricot kernels peeled/pitted, stir-fry yellow, grind to paste, add 1 sheng honey, pound until cooked. Hold in mouth before meals, swallow juice. (*Qianjin*).
Upper asthma urgency: 0.5 liang each Apricot/Peach kernels, peeled/pitted/stir-fried/grind, mix with water and raw flour, form wutong seed pills. Take 10 pills with ginger-honey water, mild laxative effect is limit. (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Wheezing with edema, scanty urination: 1 liang apricot kernels peeled/pitted/stirred/grind, cook with rice porridge, eat 2 he on empty stomach. (*Xinjing*).
Head/face wind swelling: Pound apricot kernels to paste, mix with egg yolk, apply on silk, wrap thickly. Reapply when dry, cured in 7-8 times. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Wind-deficiency headache wanting to burst: Peel/pit apricot kernels, dry and grind to powder, grind with 9 sheng water, filter juice, decoct to sesame paste consistency, mix with soup/congee. After 7 days, heavy sweat, wind symptoms reduce. Divine method, keep secret. Avoid wind, cold, pork, chicken, fish, garlic, vinegar. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Head/face wind, eye/nose blockage, cold tears: 3 sheng apricot kernels ground fine, boil water 4-5 times, wash hair. After cold sweat stops, cured in 3 times. (*Qianjin*).
Hemiplegia, aphasia: Swallow 7 raw apricot kernels with skin/tip, increase daily to 49, cycle. Drink bamboo sap after meal, stop when cured. (*Waitai Miyao*).
Broken wind swelling: Pound apricot kernels to paste, apply thickly, roast with candle remotely. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Metal wound wind-stroke, opisthotonos: Pound apricot kernels, steam until oily, squeeze fat, take 1 xiao sheng, massage wound. (*Bixiao Fang*).
Warm disease food labor: 5 liang apricot kernels, 2 sheng vinegar, decoct to 1 sheng, take to induce sweat and cure. (*Leiyao*).
Heart/abdominal knotted qi: Equal parts Apricot Kernel, Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), Ju Pi (Tangerine Peel), Helile Pi (Chebula Bark), form pills. Take 30 pills with white soup. No restrictions. (Meng Shen *Shiliao*).
Throat obstruction phlegm-cough: 3 fen apricot kernels (peeled/stir-fried yellow), 1 fen cinnamon powder, grind to mud, wrap and hold in mouth, swallow juice. (Chen Cangqi *Bencao*).
Throat heat sores: Same formula.
Sudden loss of voice: Same formula. (Wen Lulgong *Yaozhun*).
Lung disease hemoptysis: 40 apricot kernels stir-fried with yellow wax until yellow, grind with 1 qian Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis), form cakes. Break 1 persimmon cake, wrap medicine, bake in wet paper, eat. Effective. (Danxi Formula).
Sudden inability to urinate: 14 apricot kernels peeled/pitted, stir-fried yellow, grind to powder, take with rice drink. (*Gujin Luyan Fang*).
Unstopping metrorrhagia: Other drugs ineffective, this stops immediately. Burn yellow skin of sweet apricot kernels to retain nature, grind to powder. Take 3 qian on empty stomach with hot wine. (*Baoshoutang Fang*).
Five hemorrhoids bleeding: Apricot kernels peeled/pitted/double-kernel removed, 3 sheng water, grind/filter juice, decoct to half, cook with rice porridge, eat. (*Shiyi Xinjing*).
Anal pain/swelling/itch: Pound apricot kernels to paste, frequently apply. (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Yin sore ulceration/pain: Burn apricot kernels black, grind to paste, apply frequently. (*Qian Fang*).
Vaginal insect abscess, unbearable pain/itch: Peel apricot kernels, burn to retain nature, pound rotten, wrap in cotton, insert into vagina. Effective. (Meng Shen *Shiliao Bencao*).
Body/face warts: Burn apricot kernels black, grind to paste, rub until broken, apply daily. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Face spots: Peel apricot kernels, pound with egg white. Apply at night, wash off with warm wine in morning. (Meng Shen *Shiliao*).
Red/itchy cheeks like prickly heat, named Head-Face Wind: Rub apricot kernels frequently. Internal Xiao Feng San. (*Zhengzhi Yaojue*).
Sudden deafness/blockage: 7 apricot kernels peeled/smashed, divide into 3, wrap in cotton, add salt size of small bean, steam on rice. Patient lies sideways, squeeze oil into ear from one wrap. Wait, use other wrap. Effective. (*Waitai*).
Ear pus discharge: Stir-fry apricot kernels black, pound to paste, wrap in cotton, insert, change 3-4 times daily. Excellent. (*Meishi Fang*).
Nasal sores: Grind apricot kernels to powder, mix with breast milk, apply. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Infantile malnutrition nose erosion: Burn apricot kernels, press for oil, apply. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Tooth worms: Burn apricot kernels to retain nature, grind to paste, wrap in hair, insert into worm hole. Kills parasites/removes wind, pain stops. Severe cases need no more than two applications. (*Bencao Shiyi*).
Gum itch/pain: 100 apricot kernels peeled/pitted/double-kernel removed, square-inch scoop of salt, 1 sheng water, boil until juice extracts, gargle and spit. Cured in 3 times. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Wind-toothache: Prick apricot kernel with needle, burn on lamp, apply smoke to painful tooth while hot. Repeat 7 times. Pain ceases, diseased tooth falls out gradually. (*Puji Fang*).
Red veins/itch/pain in eyes, seeing black flowers: 1 sheng newborn apricot kernels, 7 ancient coins, seal in bottle, bury under door threshold for 100 days until liquid. Drop nightly. (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Neonatal red eye disease: Press half egg-shell of apricot kernel oil, 1 qian salt, put in stone vessel, bundle willow branch, grind until black, burn mugwort in bowl to heat, let vapor penetrate until fire ends. Drop少许 into eyes, very effective. (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Eye nebula covering pupil (pupil intact): 3 sheng apricot kernels peeled, wrapped in flour, baked in ashes until cooked, remove flour, grind, press out oil. Take 1 qian, mix with 1 qian Verdigris, grind evenly, drop into eyes. (Same).
Eye fleshy growth, itch/pain, covering pupil: 2.5 qian apricot kernels (peeled), 0.5 qian Nifen (Calomel), grind evenly, wrap in cotton, touch to tip of chopstick, apply to eye. (Same).
Eye injury fleshy growth (*Guangli Fang*): 7 raw apricot kernels, peel, chew finely, spit into palm, wrap hot in cotton on chopstick tip, apply to fleshy growth. Cured in 4-5 times. *Zonglu*: Grind apricot kernels to paste, dilute with human milk, drop 3 times daily.
Pediatric bloody eye: Difficult birth, blood stasis in eye corner, splashes into eye, pupil invisible. Mild case: outer eyelid red/swollen, corners ulcerated. 2 apricot kernels peeled/pitted, chew, mix with 3-5 spoons breast milk,少许 Nifen, steam, wrap in silk, frequent drops. Severe case: add Huanglian (Coptis), Pomiao (Mirabilite), best. (*Quanyou Xinjian*).
Pediatric umbilical ulceration wind: Peel apricot kernels, grind, apply. (*Zimu Milu*).
Pediatric throat swelling: Stir-fry apricot kernels black, pound rotten, hold in mouth and swallow. (*Puji Fang*).
Needle stuck in flesh: Pound double apricot kernels, mix with cart grease, apply. Needle comes out spontaneously. (*Ruizhutang Fang*).
Arrowhead in throat or blade in hidden areas: Pound apricot kernels, apply. (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Fox urine sore pain: Pound apricot kernels, boil 1-2 times, soak while hot. Change when cold. (*Bixiao Fang*).
Dog bite wound: Chew apricot kernels rotten, apply. (Kou Shi).
Undigested dog meat, hard/full epigastrium, dry mouth, fever, delirium: 1 sheng apricot kernels peeled/pitted, 3 sheng water, boil, remove dregs, divide juice into 3 doses, until meat dissolves. (*Meishi Fang*).
Resolve wild wolf poison: Pound apricot kernels, mix with water, take. (*Qianjin Fang*).
All food stagnation, qi fullness/bloating: 300 red apricot kernels, 20 Croton seeds stir-fry together, change color, remove beans, grind apricots to powder, take with tangerine peel soup. (*Yangshi Jiacang Fang*)
Vitiligo patches: Apricot kernels with skin/tip, chew 14 grains every morning, rub until red. Use again at night. (*Shengji Zonglu*).