Apricot kernels (Xing Ren) can be deadly

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

 

Taken from: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/uknews/news20060412.shtml#6

 

The Food Standards Agency has warned that apricot kernels, which are reputed

to have cancer-fighting properties, can produce cyanide when ingested, and

that a maximum of two should be eaten in one day. The Daily Telegraph

reports that some alternative therapists promote apricot kernels as an

immune system booster and a cancer treatment, as they are thought to contain

high levels of vitamin B17. However, the FSA warned of reports it had

received from overseas suggesting that the consumption of 20 to 30 kernels

by adults in a short period of time was associated with very serious health

effects and could potentially be fatal. Following the warning Julian Graves,

a high street natural food company, reported that it had pulled the product

from its shelves. Many labels on apricot kernel packages recommend a daily

dose of up to 10 kernels.

 

Warm regards,

 

Attilio D'Alberto

Doctor of (Beijing, China)

B.Sc. (Hons) T.C.M. M.A.T.C.M.

+44 (0) 208 367 8378

enquiries

www.attiliodalberto.com

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

> Hi all,

> hmmmm - the notion is that enzymes accumulate at sites of cell growth

(regular repair and regeneration as well as cancerous growth) and the b17 in

the bloodstream arrives at the sites and the enzymes break it down into

cyanide and other stuff. The cyanide switches off the cell growth process when

the repair/regeneration is completed. The notion continues that cancer is

caused by chronic long-term b17 deficiency and you need lots of b17 to provide

lots of cyanide to switch off aggressive cell growth. There is good science

behind this. B17 has a good track record (and safe) but Cancer Inc hates it

cos it deprives them of lots and lots of loot.

 

 

 

stephen

 

> Taken from: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/uknews/news20060412.shtml#6

>

> The Food Standards Agency has warned that apricot kernels, which are reputed

> to have cancer-fighting properties, can produce cyanide when ingested, and

> that a maximum of two should be eaten in one day. The Daily Telegraph

> reports that some alternative therapists promote apricot kernels as an

> immune system booster and a cancer treatment, as they are thought to contain

> high levels of vitamin B17. However, the FSA warned of reports it had

> received from overseas suggesting that the consumption of 20 to 30 kernels

> by adults in a short period of time was associated with very serious health

> effects and could potentially be fatal. Following the warning Julian Graves,

> a high street natural food company, reported that it had pulled the product

> from its shelves. Many labels on apricot kernel packages recommend a daily

> dose of up to 10 kernels.

>

> Warm regards,

>

> Attilio D'Alberto

> Doctor of (Beijing, China)

> B.Sc. (Hons) T.C.M. M.A.T.C.M.

> +44 (0) 208 367 8378

> enquiries

> www.attiliodalberto.com

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Hi all,

> hmmmm - the notion is that enzymes accumulate at sites of cell

growth

(regular repair and regeneration as well as cancerous growth) and the b17 in

the bloodstream arrives at the sites and the enzymes break it down into

cyanide and other stuff. The cyanide switches off the cell growth process

when

the repair/regeneration is completed. The notion continues that cancer is

caused by chronic long-term b17 deficiency and you need lots of b17 to

provide

lots of cyanide to switch off aggressive cell growth. There is good science

behind this. B17 has a good track record (and safe) but Cancer Inc hates it

cos it deprives them of lots and lots of loot.

 

 

 

stephen

 

> Taken from: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/uknews/news20060412.shtml#6

>

> The Food Standards Agency has warned that apricot kernels, which are

reputed

> to have cancer-fighting properties, can produce cyanide when ingested, and

> that a maximum of two should be eaten in one day. The Daily Telegraph

> reports that some alternative therapists promote apricot kernels as an

> immune system booster and a cancer treatment, as they are thought to

contain

> high levels of vitamin B17. However, the FSA warned of reports it had

> received from overseas suggesting that the consumption of 20 to 30 kernels

> by adults in a short period of time was associated with very serious health

> effects and could potentially be fatal. Following the warning Julian

Graves,

> a high street natural food company, reported that it had pulled the product

> from its shelves. Many labels on apricot kernel packages recommend a daily

> dose of up to 10 kernels.

>

> Warm regards,

>

> Attilio D'Alberto

> Doctor of (Beijing, China)

> B.Sc. (Hons) T.C.M. M.A.T.C.M.

> +44 (0) 208 367 8378

> enquiries

> www.attiliodalberto.com

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Stephen, Attilio & All,

 

Attilio wrote:

> Taken from: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/uknews/news20060412.shtml#6

> The Food Standards Agency has warned that apricot kernels, which are

> reputed to have cancer-fighting properties, can produce cyanide when

> ingested, and that a maximum of 2 should be eaten in one day. The Daily

> Telegraph reports that some alternative therapists promote apricot

> kernels as an immune system booster and a cancer treatment, as they are

> thought to contain high levels of vitamin B17. However, the FSA warned

> of reports it had received from overseas suggesting that the

> consumption of 20-30 kernels by adults in a short period of time was

> associated with very serious health effects and could potentially be

> fatal. Following the warning Julian Graves, a high street natural food

> company, reported that it had pulled the product from its shelves.

> Many labels on apricot kernel packages recommend a daily dose of up to

> 10 kernels. ... Attilio

 

Stephen wrote:

>> ... the notion is that enzymes accumulate at sites of cell growth (regular

repair

and regeneration as well as cancerous growth) and the b17 in the bloodstream

arrives at the sites and the enzymes break it down into cyanide and other

stuff. The

cyanide switches off the cell growth process when the repair/regeneration is

completed. The notion continues that cancer is caused by chronic long-term b17

deficiency and you need lots of b17 to provide lots of cyanide to switch off

aggressive cell growth. There is good science behind this. B17 has a good track

record (and safe) but Cancer Inc hates it cos it deprives them of lots and lots

of loot.

stephen

 

Colleagues, what would the approximate weight of 10 dried apricot kernels be?

 

A Google search on Xingren says:

 

_Pinyin Name: Xingren (aka Tianxingren); see Kuxingren

 

_Latin Name: S Pruni Armeniacae dulcis; See S Pruni Armeniacae amarae

 

_Common Name: Apricot Seed (aka Sweet Almond); see Bitter Almond

 

_Hb Class: Ease Cough, Calm Asthma / Dyspnea

 

_Nature: Bitter; warm/warm~slightly; toxic~slightly

 

_Channels: LU; LI

 

_Has: Amygdalin (antitussive; Ease Pain); Linoleic acid; Oleic acid; Palmitic

acid;

Hydrocyanic acid; Glutamic acid; Almondase; Chlorogenic acid; Inositol; Estrone;

17-

b-estradiol; 3¡¦-p-coumaroylquinic acid; 3¡¦-feruloylguinic acid; Triolein;

Benzaldehyde; Linalool; 4-terpinenol; a-terpineol.

 

_Dose: Oral, as Dec : 3-10g (crushed before Dec); same in pill / powder forms;

5:1

concentrated extract: 0.6 to 2g/d;

 

_Actions: (1) Xingren, in raw, parched, steamed / prepared form can Resolve

Phlegm; Ease Cough (Antitussive); Ease Asthma (Antiasthmatic); Ease

Dyspnea/Wheeze; Downbear Qi, esp LU Qi. [Taoren (peach kernel) Moisten SI-LI

(laxative) & Smash Stag]; (2) Drain / Lubricate; Moisten Dryness (demulcent);

Moisten SI-LI (laxative); relax bowels; Move Faeces; Aid Defecation; (3)

Antiinflammatory & Ease Pain (probably dt suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 &

inducible nitric oxide synthase expression); (4) Other: amygdalin enhances

activity of

SP NK cells; Remove free oxygen radicals; increase serum SOD levels; increase

serum HDLP-cholesterol levels, lower serum MDA levels & Hypocholesterolaemic;

Promote cell proliferation: s/c injections of Xingren at of 4 & 7mg/kg promoted

proliferation of LV & Kupffer cells in mice; i/m injection of amygdalin at 1.5,

3, &

5mg/mouse enhanced mitogen-induced proliferation of SP T cells; water Dec &

ether-based extracts activate EBV-EA (Epstein-Barr virus early antigen) in

cultured

Raji cells (human lymphoma) in-vitro, Both raw & prepared Hb forms are laxative,

but

this effect is stronger in prepared forms; Dec is hypotensor; i/v injection of

amygdalin

can promote phagocytic activity of Kupffer cells & tracheal, bronchial, & lung

alveoli

macrophages; Amygdalin enhances cytochrome oxidase activity in cerebral

ischemia;

 

_Used in: (1) cough, asthma, dryness; a main Hb for acute cough & bronchitis;

used

w appropriate herbs for either Hot / Cold conditions; esp good for dry cough bc

of its

moistening nature; also cough w Phlegm dt Cold / Heat; Xingren + Sangye & Gancao

in cough dt Wind Heat; Xingren + Mahuang & Gancao in cough dt Wind Cold;

Xingren + Sangye & Shashen-Rx Adenophorae Strictae in cough dt Dryness Heat;

Xingren taken after stewing w crystal sugar in geriatric chronic cough; Also for

dyspnea dt LU Qi Rising (LU Qi failure to descend): Xingren + Mahuang, Guizhi &

Gancao in dyspnoea dt Wind Cold; Xingren + Mahuang, Shigao & Gancao in

dyspnoea dt Wind Heat; (2) constipation dt SI/LI Dryness; (3) pain &

inflammatory

diseases;

 

_Toxicity: LD50 values for raw Xingren, parched Xingren, & steamed Xingren are

1624+/-215mg/kg, 1748 +/-112mg/kg, & 5241+/-704mg/kg, respectively

 

_Precautions: mildly toxic; Avoid large doses; overdose of Xingren / amygdalin

can

cause severe poisoning, w dizziness, headache, emesis, diarrhoea, abdomen pain,

hypotension, rapid respiration, & arrhythmia, etc; CI/caution in cough &

diarrhoea dt

Yin Xu; caution/avoid in infants/children; Avoid in diarrhoea~chronic

 

References:

http://botanicum.com/singles/xingren.htm

http://herb.damo-qigong.net/k013.htm

http://tinyurl.com/jhjzj

http://tinyurl.com/pk8jk

http://www.asante-academy.com/ke-explains/medicinesa-z/apricotkernel.htm

http://www..org/databases/hb-db/pruni-a.html

http://www.craneherb.com/herbs/herb10205

http://www.holistic-online.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h400.htm

http://www.nesa.edu/herbnews.html

http://www.nutritionalwellness.com/nutrition/herbs/a/apricot_seed.php

 

For data on Kuxingren-Bitter Almond, S Pruni amygdali amarae & LAETRILE [The

almond is closely related to peach, apricot, & cherry (all classified as

drupes). Unlike

others, however, outer layer of almond is not edible. edible portion of almond

is seed.

A compound called amygdalin differentiates bitter almond from sweet almond. In

presence of water (hydrolysis), amygdalin yields glucose & chemicals

benzaldehyde

& hydrocyanic acid (HCN). HCN, salts of which are known as cyanide, is

poisonous.

To be used in food / as a flavoring agent, HCN must be removed from bitter

almond

oil. Once it is removed, oil is called volatile almond oil & is considered to be

almost

pure benzaldehyde. Volatile almond oil can still be toxic in large amounts.

" Laetrile, "

an alternative cancer drug marketed in Mexico & other countries outside of U.S.,

is

derived from amygdalin. Multiple cases of cyanide poisoning, including deaths,

have

been associated w laetrile therapy. etc. ], see Google &

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-bitteralmond.html

 

Best regards,

 

HOME + WORK: 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Tel: (H): +353-(0) or (M): +353-(0)

<

 

 

 

" Man who says it can't be done should not interrupt man doing it " - Chinese

Proverb

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Stephen, Attilio & All,

 

Attilio wrote:

> Taken from: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/uknews/news20060412.shtml#6

> The Food Standards Agency has warned that apricot kernels, which are

> reputed to have cancer-fighting properties, can produce cyanide when

> ingested, and that a maximum of 2 should be eaten in one day. The Daily

> Telegraph reports that some alternative therapists promote apricot

> kernels as an immune system booster and a cancer treatment, as they are

> thought to contain high levels of vitamin B17. However, the FSA warned

> of reports it had received from overseas suggesting that the

> consumption of 20-30 kernels by adults in a short period of time was

> associated with very serious health effects and could potentially be

> fatal. Following the warning Julian Graves, a high street natural food

> company, reported that it had pulled the product from its shelves.

> Many labels on apricot kernel packages recommend a daily dose of up to

> 10 kernels. ... Attilio

 

Stephen wrote:

>> ... the notion is that enzymes accumulate at sites of cell growth (regular

repair

and regeneration as well as cancerous growth) and the b17 in the bloodstream

arrives at the sites and the enzymes break it down into cyanide and other

stuff. The

cyanide switches off the cell growth process when the repair/regeneration is

completed. The notion continues that cancer is caused by chronic long-term b17

deficiency and you need lots of b17 to provide lots of cyanide to switch off

aggressive cell growth. There is good science behind this. B17 has a good track

record (and safe) but Cancer Inc hates it cos it deprives them of lots and lots

of loot.

stephen

 

Colleagues, what would the approximate weight of 10 dried apricot kernels be?

 

A Google search on Xingren says:

 

_Pinyin Name: Xingren (aka Tianxingren); see Kuxingren

 

_Latin Name: S Pruni Armeniacae dulcis; See S Pruni Armeniacae amarae

 

_Common Name: Apricot Seed (aka Sweet Almond); see Bitter Almond

 

_Hb Class: Ease Cough, Calm Asthma / Dyspnea

 

_Nature: Bitter; warm/warm~slightly; toxic~slightly

 

_Channels: LU; LI

 

_Has: Amygdalin (antitussive; Ease Pain); Linoleic acid; Oleic acid; Palmitic

acid;

Hydrocyanic acid; Glutamic acid; Almondase; Chlorogenic acid; Inositol; Estrone;

17-

b-estradiol; 3¡¦-p-coumaroylquinic acid; 3¡¦-feruloylguinic acid; Triolein;

Benzaldehyde; Linalool; 4-terpinenol; a-terpineol.

 

_Dose: Oral, as Dec : 3-10g (crushed before Dec); same in pill / powder forms;

5:1

concentrated extract: 0.6 to 2g/d;

 

_Actions: (1) Xingren, in raw, parched, steamed / prepared form can Resolve

Phlegm; Ease Cough (Antitussive); Ease Asthma (Antiasthmatic); Ease

Dyspnea/Wheeze; Downbear Qi, esp LU Qi. [Taoren (peach kernel) Moisten SI-LI

(laxative) & Smash Stag]; (2) Drain / Lubricate; Moisten Dryness (demulcent);

Moisten SI-LI (laxative); relax bowels; Move Faeces; Aid Defecation; (3)

Antiinflammatory & Ease Pain (probably dt suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 &

inducible nitric oxide synthase expression); (4) Other: amygdalin enhances

activity of

SP NK cells; Remove free oxygen radicals; increase serum SOD levels; increase

serum HDLP-cholesterol levels, lower serum MDA levels & Hypocholesterolaemic;

Promote cell proliferation: s/c injections of Xingren at of 4 & 7mg/kg promoted

proliferation of LV & Kupffer cells in mice; i/m injection of amygdalin at 1.5,

3, &

5mg/mouse enhanced mitogen-induced proliferation of SP T cells; water Dec &

ether-based extracts activate EBV-EA (Epstein-Barr virus early antigen) in

cultured

Raji cells (human lymphoma) in-vitro, Both raw & prepared Hb forms are laxative,

but

this effect is stronger in prepared forms; Dec is hypotensor; i/v injection of

amygdalin

can promote phagocytic activity of Kupffer cells & tracheal, bronchial, & lung

alveoli

macrophages; Amygdalin enhances cytochrome oxidase activity in cerebral

ischemia;

 

_Used in: (1) cough, asthma, dryness; a main Hb for acute cough & bronchitis;

used

w appropriate herbs for either Hot / Cold conditions; esp good for dry cough bc

of its

moistening nature; also cough w Phlegm dt Cold / Heat; Xingren + Sangye & Gancao

in cough dt Wind Heat; Xingren + Mahuang & Gancao in cough dt Wind Cold;

Xingren + Sangye & Shashen-Rx Adenophorae Strictae in cough dt Dryness Heat;

Xingren taken after stewing w crystal sugar in geriatric chronic cough; Also for

dyspnea dt LU Qi Rising (LU Qi failure to descend): Xingren + Mahuang, Guizhi &

Gancao in dyspnoea dt Wind Cold; Xingren + Mahuang, Shigao & Gancao in

dyspnoea dt Wind Heat; (2) constipation dt SI/LI Dryness; (3) pain &

inflammatory

diseases;

 

_Toxicity: LD50 values for raw Xingren, parched Xingren, & steamed Xingren are

1624+/-215mg/kg, 1748 +/-112mg/kg, & 5241+/-704mg/kg, respectively

 

_Precautions: mildly toxic; Avoid large doses; overdose of Xingren / amygdalin

can

cause severe poisoning, w dizziness, headache, emesis, diarrhoea, abdomen pain,

hypotension, rapid respiration, & arrhythmia, etc; CI/caution in cough &

diarrhoea dt

Yin Xu; caution/avoid in infants/children; Avoid in diarrhoea~chronic

 

References:

http://botanicum.com/singles/xingren.htm

http://herb.damo-qigong.net/k013.htm

http://tinyurl.com/jhjzj

http://tinyurl.com/pk8jk

http://www.asante-academy.com/ke-explains/medicinesa-z/apricotkernel.htm

http://www..org/databases/hb-db/pruni-a.html

http://www.craneherb.com/herbs/herb10205

http://www.holistic-online.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h400.htm

http://www.nesa.edu/herbnews.html

http://www.nutritionalwellness.com/nutrition/herbs/a/apricot_seed.php

 

For data on Kuxingren-Bitter Almond, S Pruni amygdali amarae & LAETRILE [The

almond is closely related to peach, apricot, & cherry (all classified as

drupes). Unlike

others, however, outer layer of almond is not edible. edible portion of almond

is seed.

A compound called amygdalin differentiates bitter almond from sweet almond. In

presence of water (hydrolysis), amygdalin yields glucose & chemicals

benzaldehyde

& hydrocyanic acid (HCN). HCN, salts of which are known as cyanide, is

poisonous.

To be used in food / as a flavoring agent, HCN must be removed from bitter

almond

oil. Once it is removed, oil is called volatile almond oil & is considered to be

almost

pure benzaldehyde. Volatile almond oil can still be toxic in large amounts.

" Laetrile, "

an alternative cancer drug marketed in Mexico & other countries outside of U.S.,

is

derived from amygdalin. Multiple cases of cyanide poisoning, including deaths,

have

been associated w laetrile therapy. etc. ], see Google &

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-bitteralmond.html

 

Best regards,

 

HOME + WORK: 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Tel: (H): +353-(0) or (M): +353-(0)

<

 

 

 

" Man who says it can't be done should not interrupt man doing it " - Chinese

Proverb

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

My own experience with apricot kernels is consistent with the

information below. My understanding is that xing ren is processed

(boiled then redried) to reduce the cyanide content. So if one

specifically wants the cyanide content intact, then raw unprocessed

apricot kernels are best. Several relevant facts to keep in mind that

will increase safety:

Cyanide content may vary even among varieties of the same species of

fruit - amygdalin and cyanide-containing nitrilosides are present in

seeds of apple, pear, plum, apricot, peach - all fruits in the

Rosaceae family. So if you know the safe vs. toxic dosages for one

batch of seeds, do not assume that it will be the same for other

batches.

Some individuals vary in their enzyme make-up, such that in a very

small percentage of the population, cyanide is released faster in the

GI tract, leading to greater toxicity.

 

To account for the above, always start by consuming only one seed the

first day, then increasing dosage each day. If toxic reactions occur

(shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, palpitations), then reduce

dose to below whatever that level is for that individual. I agree

with the assessment below, though. The dangers have been overblown.

As I always try out potentially dangerous or controversial herbs on

myself first, I obtained some whole raw, unprocessed apricot kernels

from an organically grown source in California. I gradually increased

the amount I ate raw to a maximum of 100 kernels per day (well above

the standard daily recommendation of 10), on an empty stomach, at

which point I began to feel slightly dizzy. The sensation passed

after about 5 minutes, I had no other symptoms, and I suspected that

I was beginning to enter the zone of acute toxicity.

 

Indigenous cultures around the world, as well as animals like monkeys

will often consume the entire fruits, eating and chewing seeds

without spitting them out, or if the seeds are encased in a hard

shell, like peaches and apricots, will crack them open to eat the

inner seed kernels. The Hunza people of central Asia have eaten

significant amounts of raw apricot kernels in their diet for many

generations, so its not like this has never been tested.

 

See the book

World Without Cancer: The Story of Vitamin B17

by G. Edward Griffin

American Media; PO Box 54646; Westlake Village CA 91359-1646

c1997

for more information.

 

---Roger Wicke PhD

Rocky Mountain Herbal Institute

website: http://www.rmhiherbal.org/

email: http://www.rmhiherbal.org/contact/

 

 

 

On Apr 14, 2006, at 02:30, wrote:

 

> Stephen wrote:

>>> ... the notion is that enzymes accumulate at sites of cell

>>> growth (regular repair

> and regeneration as well as cancerous growth) and the b17 in the

> bloodstream

> arrives at the sites and the enzymes break it down into cyanide

> and other stuff. The

> cyanide switches off the cell growth process when the repair/

> regeneration is

> completed. The notion continues that cancer is caused by chronic

> long-term b17

> deficiency and you need lots of b17 to provide lots of cyanide to

> switch off

> aggressive cell growth. There is good science behind this. B17 has

> a good track

> record (and safe) but Cancer Inc hates it cos it deprives them of

> lots and lots of loot.

> stephen