
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CHINESE HERBS
Pinyin: ku xing ren (chan)
ENGLISH NAME: Scald bitter apricot kernel
LATIN NAME: Scald Armeniacae Semen Amarum

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.