It belongs to Rosaceae family in Plantae kingdom. Its native range is somewhat ambiguous but it is believed to originate from India and China since the apricot has been used as medicine since 2000 years. The Greeks probably were mistaking its origin as Armenia and kept the name P. armeniaca.



The Romans named this fruit as praecocium which means precocious, referring to early ripening of the fruit.

 

The apricot, however in very small amount, has a toxin called as hydrogen cyanide in its kernels. This was a typical drug prescribed in Chinese medicines for curing asthma, constipation and cough. The decoction of the apricot's plant's bark was considered as surefire for hemorrhage, infertility, spasm and eye inflammation. The paste made from apricot kernel had been used in various vaginal infections.

 

Active Ingredients in Apricot

The fresh apricot fruit has certain useful active ingredients such as Vitamin C and K, iron, thiamine and betacarotene. Volatile compounds, organic acids, norisoprenoids, terpenoids and some esters are also been isolated. The apricot kernels have cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin

 

Therapeutic Usage of Apricot

• Apricot has been used to cure many chronic diseases including cancer. There are evidences proving apricot oil being used in England against tumors and ulcers in seventeenth century.
  
  
  
  Apricots have also been used as aphrodisiac and in William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", apricot has been used in the same context.
  
• Apricot is also used as dietary source of vitamins and minerals. Its oil is considered to be rejuvenating the skin by controlling sebum and melanin. Therefore, most of the cosmetic product manufacturers are now using apricot in their products.
  
  
  
  
  The apricot kernel has good results in treating respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis, rhinitis and also for GI disturbances like constipation.
  
• An oil extracted from the kernel is powerful nourishing and lubricating agent and hence used topically on the skin. There are many products such as facial mask, body lotion, shampoo and lip-guards in which, apricot oil is used as main ingredient.

Precautions of Apricot Intake

 

Excessive intake of apricots have shown nervous system depression due to amygdalin present in it and more badly,it can also cause respiratory failure.



It is also harmful to take apricot fruit which is unripe as it may cause gastric upset.

There are no such evidence favoring apricot kernels being safe in pregnancy and hence, they are better to be avoided. Apricot fruits are generally safe in pregnancy and lactating mother. However, they are to be taken in reduced dosage.

There are some cases in which, hypersensitivity to apricot kernels have been reported. One has to stop taking it if any skin rash or allergic condition occurs.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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Apricots Introduction and History
The apricot is also known as common apricot tree and its Latin name is Armenian plum.



It belongs to Rosaceae family in Plantae kingdom. Its native range is somewhat ambiguous but it is believed to originate from India and China since the apricot has been used as medicine since 2000 years. The Greeks probably were mistaking its origin as Armenia and kept the name P. armeniaca.



The Romans named this fruit as praecocium which means precocious, referring to early ripening of the fruit.

 

The apricot, however in very small amount, has a toxin called as hydrogen cyanide in its kernels. This was a typical drug prescribed in Chinese medicines for curing asthma, constipation and cough. The decoction of the apricot's plant's bark was considered as surefire for hemorrhage, infertility, spasm and eye inflammation. The paste made from apricot kernel had been used in various vaginal infections.

 

Active Ingredients in Apricot

The fresh apricot fruit has certain useful active ingredients such as Vitamin C and K, iron, thiamine and betacarotene. Volatile compounds, organic acids, norisoprenoids, terpenoids and some esters are also been isolated. The apricot kernels have cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin

 

Therapeutic Usage of Apricot

• Apricot has been used to cure many chronic diseases including cancer. There are evidences proving apricot oil being used in England against tumors and ulcers in seventeenth century.
  
  
  
  Apricots have also been used as aphrodisiac and in William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", apricot has been used in the same context.
  
• Apricot is also used as dietary source of vitamins and minerals. Its oil is considered to be rejuvenating the skin by controlling sebum and melanin. Therefore, most of the cosmetic product manufacturers are now using apricot in their products.
  
  
  
  
  The apricot kernel has good results in treating respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis, rhinitis and also for GI disturbances like constipation.
  
• An oil extracted from the kernel is powerful nourishing and lubricating agent and hence used topically on the skin. There are many products such as facial mask, body lotion, shampoo and lip-guards in which, apricot oil is used as main ingredient.

Precautions of Apricot Intake

 

Excessive intake of apricots have shown nervous system depression due to amygdalin present in it and more badly,it can also cause respiratory failure.



It is also harmful to take apricot fruit which is unripe as it may cause gastric upset.

There are no such evidence favoring apricot kernels being safe in pregnancy and hence, they are better to be avoided. Apricot fruits are generally safe in pregnancy and lactating mother. However, they are to be taken in reduced dosage.

There are some cases in which, hypersensitivity to apricot kernels have been reported. One has to stop taking it if any skin rash or allergic condition occurs.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.