Content
- 1 Composition and properties of apricot kernels
- 2 Apricot kernels: benefits and harms
- 3 Is it possible to get poisoned and how to cope with poisoning
- 4 Application of apricot kernels
- 5 What are the benefits of apricot kernels for women?
- 6 How to take apricot kernels for cancer
- 7 Apricot kernels in cosmetology
- 8 Use in cooking
- 9 Shelf life and storage conditions
- 10 Contraindications
- 11 Conclusion
- 12 Reviews
After eating an apricot, the pit is usually thrown away. Only a real housewife or gourmet knows that the kernel contained under the hard shell is rich in vitamins, tasty and can be used for cooking. Apricot kernels are used in folk medicine and cosmetology.
Composition and properties of apricot kernels
The nut hidden under the shell contains butyric and organic acids, a complex of minerals, and amino acids. Oiliness determines the caloric content of the nucleolus. Acids and minerals in humans stimulate the functioning of internal organs and accelerate the metabolism of useful substances.
Oleic acid is considered a source of energy. The apricot kernel contains up to 29%. Linoleic acid, the content of which reaches 11%, brings great benefits to the human body.The substance maintains normal cholesterol levels, stimulates heart function, and is an excellent antioxidant. The table displays the complete content of nutrients in 100 g of apricot kernels.
Apricot kernels: benefits and harms
The rich composition of the apricot kernel is a real storehouse of vitamins for the human body. Microelements help maintain immunity and suppress inflammatory processes in the respiratory system.
Apricot kernels are considered an effective remedy for cramps. Traditional medicine doctors use nucleoli against hiccups, to treat colds, and to remove worms from the body.
As for harm, the tasty kernel contains dangerous hydrocyanic acid, which is present in all the seeds of any fruit. A substance is released from vitamin B17 after it enters the human body. However, the proportion of hydrocyanic acid is negligible. A person needs to eat at least 40 g of apricot kernels to experience a worsening of the condition. It is easy to determine the saturation of a nut with hydrocyanic acid by taste. A bitter kernel indicates a large amount of a harmful substance.
The nucleoli are dangerous for allergy sufferers. Apricot itself is a strong allergen. People suffering from this disease should limit their intake of tasty nuts. It is advisable for a pregnant woman, a person with a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, or thyroid gland not to take apricot kernels.Apricot kernels are contraindicated for people with complex diabetes mellitus.
Is it possible to get poisoned and how to cope with poisoning
If you use it unreasonably, you can become poisoned by any product, even the most healthy one. However, trouble can happen if a person eats poorly processed or old seed kernels.
A person feels the first symptoms of hydrocyanic acid poisoning inside the body:
- severe weakness and rapid muscle fatigue appear;
- breathing worsens, throat becomes stuffy;
- the head is dizzy, hurts, aches, but spasms do not appear;
- bloating, heaviness, pain, as from severe overeating;
- pronounced flatulence appears;
- nausea, periodically accompanied by vomiting;
- the patient develops fear, turning into panic.
It is easy to determine if a person is poisoned by apricot kernels by external signs:
- mucous membranes quickly become red;
- the pulse increases sharply and immediately decreases;
- difficulty breathing becomes intermittent over time;
- convulsions appear throughout the body or in certain areas.
Severe apricot kernel poisoning can easily be confused with symptoms of heart failure. If help is not provided in time, breathing will stop.
Hydrocyanic acid poisoning requires only medical intervention. However, before the doctor arrives, the person needs to be helped. Actions taken are similar to those for any poisoning:
- washing the stomach with boiled water with manganese;
- taking activated carbon tablets.
Apricot bark is an excellent antidote for hydrocyanic acid. If you can be poisoned by the seeds, the tree will heal itself. Dry apricot bark in the amount of 100 g is poured into 1 liter of water. The broth is boiled for 30 minutes.After cooling, take it as tea about three times over five hours.
Application of apricot kernels
Apricot kernels resemble nuts and are similar in appearance to almonds. There is even a similar aroma. In addition to traditional medicine and cooking, the seeds are used in cosmetology.
Is it possible to eat
Many rural children know the taste of apricot kernels, as they eat them instead of nuts. However, you should not eat a lot of kernels. The harmless volume is considered to be in the range of 20–40 g, but you need to take into account the age category and body weight. A healthy adult with an average weight of 80 kg can consume 35 g of apricot kernels daily for a week, after which a break is needed. People with health problems limit intake to 30 g once a week. Children should not be given more than 20 g of apricot kernels, and not daily.
Medicinal properties of apricot kernels
The main medicinal property of apricot kernels is the fight against colds accompanied by respiratory complications. The nucleoli will help cure simple coughs and advanced bronchitis. The recipes call for the pure use of apricot kernels and along with herbs. The kernels are added to a decoction of thyme, chamomile, coltsfoot, and horsetail.
Gargle with a decoction of sage, chamomile and apricot kernels. Coltsfoot, brewed with kernels, serves as an excellent expectorant for dry coughs.
In its pure form, apricot kernels are used to treat conjunctivitis or relieve seizures. The solution is prepared from 10 g of chopped nuts and 100 ml of boiling water.After infusing the solution for 4 hours, for convulsions, take 50 ml three times a day. To treat conjunctivitis, cotton swabs are soaked in the solution and applied to the eyes.
Use in folk medicine
There are many recipes in folk medicine using apricot kernels. Let's look at a few of the most popular and harmless for a person who likes to self-medicate:
- For coughs and to speed up the removal of sputum, eat 1 tbsp. l. crushed apricot kernels per day.
- Eating 10 nuts daily will help get rid of worms.
- Foot rub is prepared from 1 500 ml bottle of vodka and 1 tbsp. crushed apricot kernels. The mixture is infused in a warm, dark place for three weeks. After rubbing, the feet are wrapped in a blanket.
- Traditional healers have even found use for the shell of the nucleolus. After intense frying in a frying pan, ash turns out. Before meals take 1 tbsp. l. to strengthen blood vessels.
- A cocktail helps improve immunity and restore strength. Take 200 g of kernels, pour in 0.6 liters of water and beat it all with a blender until milk is obtained.
Traditional healers are trying to treat complex diseases of the liver, kidneys, and digestive system with apricot kernels. However, it is better to coordinate such actions with your doctor.
What are the benefits of apricot kernels for women?
Apricot kernels are rich in beneficial natural oils that help a woman maintain her beauty. Acids slow down skin aging and maintain hormone balance. In general terms, bones have a beneficial effect on health. The nervous and cardiovascular systems and blood composition improve.
The oil most in demand among women is made from apricot kernels. It is used in its pure form for body and hair care.The oil is widely used in cosmetology in the manufacture of creams and face masks.
How to take apricot kernels for cancer
Traditional healers in many countries agree that apricot kernels have a unique effect of suppressing malignant tumors. Sick people are offered to eat up to 40 g of nucleoli per day, dividing the dose into three equal parts. The treatment lasts for a month, after which they take a 1.5 week break and continue the course again.
Due to the presence of vitamin B17 in apricot kernels, scientists support the opinion of traditional healers, but there is no official confirmation yet. Amygdalin is used in chemotherapy. Vitamin B17 is produced in the form of a medicine under the name “Laetrile”. The active substance destroys cancer cells without causing poisoning of the body. You just need to not exceed the recommended dose while taking it.
Apricot kernels in cosmetology
In past centuries, only wealthy ladies could use apricot kernel oil. Now the product is available to every woman. In cosmetology, oil is not always used in its pure form. It is added to nourishing shampoos, hand and face creams. The oil is used to produce scrubs, cleansing lotions, and masks. A cosmetic product containing an extract from apricot kernels promotes rapid healing of wounds, smoothes wrinkles, gives the body elasticity, and prevents inflammation of the skin.
Apricot kernel oil
The oil is extracted not from the seeds themselves, but from the apricot kernels. The technology is called the cold pressing method. There are many recipes for face masks based on apricot oil:
- Cleansing. One part of oatmeal, ground into powder, is mixed with two parts of milk.After infusing for five minutes, add half of one part of oil and fresh honey.
- Moisturizing. Egg yolk is ground with 1 tsp. apricot oil. The mixture is applied to the face and left for 30 minutes.
When washing your hair, apricot kernel oil is added to shampoo. Hair acquires shine, silkiness, and strength. You can make a mask by adding to 1 tbsp. l. apricot oil a couple of drops of lavender oil. The mixture is rubbed into the head 30 minutes before washing.
Use in cooking
Whole apricot kernels are used in baking homemade cakes. If you throw a few kernels into homemade cognac, the drink will acquire an almond flavor. Housewives make unusual jam. To do this, remove the pit from the apricot, peel it, take out the kernel and push it back inside the fruit.
In production, apricot kernels are usually used as a spice in the form of ground powder. It is added in the production of ice cream, confectionery, and sauces. Chefs use the spice when preparing meat and fish dishes, salads, compotes, and sweet desserts.
Shelf life and storage conditions
The kernels can be stored peeled and in shell. First, the apricot kernels are thoroughly dried. A raw nut will quickly become moldy. The kernels are stored in a tightly closed jar. It is advisable to keep the container away from light. Apricot kernels cannot be stored for longer than 1 year, as the kernels accumulate harmful substances.
Contraindications
Doctors talk about the safety of eating apricot kernels, but in reasonable measures.Only individual intolerance to the product can have a negative impact. You should completely stop taking it: pregnant women, diabetics, people with acute diseases of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system.
The video talks about the dangers and benefits of apricot kernels:
Conclusion
Any product of natural origin has both benefits and harm. If you are not sure about the usefulness of apricot kernels, you should not try to convince yourself.
