Chinese medicine bitteralmond, is used as roots, leaves and seeds in medicine. It is externally used for dispersing stasis and reducing swelling, treating bruises and injuries. Internally, it can treat pediatric malnutrition and night sweats caused by physical weakness. However, bitteralmond itself is toxic, so caution must be taken to avoid poisoning when using it!
Usage of Bitteralmond
Treating spasms and pain: Grind the bitteralmond fruit into powder, take three to five grams each time, dissolve in hot water and drink. (Folk Medicine of Guizhou)
Treating pediatric malnutrition: Take five grams of bitteralmond fruit (calcined). Eat it with steamed chicken liver or grind it into water and drink. (Folk Medicine of Guizhou)
Treating hand and foot pain: Take 50 grams of bitteralmond. Boil in water and drink. (Pharmacopoeia of Hunan)
Treating joint pain: Take 100 grams of fresh bitteralmond, 100 grams of fresh maple pear, one gram each of mountain pepper, star anise, melon perfume wood, five-leaf ginseng, and dryopteris. Add 50 grams of Achyranthes bidentata and 6 grams of Notoginseng as adjuvants. Stew in water and take in two doses. (Jiangxi Herbal Manual)
Treating night sweats caused by physical weakness: Take 150 grams of fresh bitteralmond. Boil in water, dissolve two eggs and drink. (Jiangxi Herbal Manual)
Toxicity of Bitteralmond
Due to its high toxicity, this herb is often used externally, and cautious use is advised for oral administration.
Symptoms of poisoning: Vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, dry mucous membranes, rapid breathing, confusion, initial excitement and subsequent paralysis of the nervous system.
Rescue methods: Gastric lavage may be considered in the early stages, and symptomatic treatments such as lubricating protective agents and fluid replacement should be provided.
However, in Yunnan Simao, this herb has been used by grinding 6-9 grams of its roots and extracting the juice to treat acute gastroenteritis, with satisfactory results. It can be tried under strict observation if conditions permit.
