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Pinyin: ku xing ren (chan)

ENGLISH NAME: Scald bitter apricot kernel

LATIN NAME: Scald Armeniacae Semen Amarum

Pinyin: ku xing ren (chan)

Channels Entered: Lung, Large Intestine
Safety Index: slightly toxic

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS
1. Arrests Cough and Relieves Wheezing

2. Lubricates the Bowels and Promotes Bowel Movements

DOSAGE
3 to 10 grams in decoction. Xing Ren is usually added last or towards the end of cooking, in decoctions. The dry- fried form of Xing Ren is gentler on the Spleen and Stomach and is more suitable for patients with cough and wheezing because of constitutional deficiency.

CAUTIONS I CONTRAINDICA TIONS
• Bitter, warm and draining, Xing Ren is not suitable for patients with cough from qi or yin deficiencies.
• Xing Ren should be used with caution for infants or patients with loose stools.
• Xing Ren is slightly toxic. However, the toxicity can be reduced by cooking, removing the outer coating, and mixing the seed with sugar.

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