Identification of Almonds and Peach Kernels Almonds and peach kernels are the dried mature seeds of plants in the Rosaceae family, specifically the Prunus genus.
They are very similar in shape and color, but they have different effects. Almonds are used as antitussive and antiasthmatic medicines, while peach kernels are used to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. To correctly distinguish between the two, a simple identification method is introduced:
After soaking the seeds in boiling water and removing the seed coat, mix the seeds with a 25% potassium carbonate solution and a 2% bleach solution in equal amounts. Take the supernatant, decolorize the seed coat, rinse with water, and then stain with a 2% methylene green solution for observation:
Almonds:
The surface is yellowish-brown, bitter in taste, and has a distinct almond smell. It is smaller in size compared to peach kernels.
The fine lines (vascular bundles) originating from the hilum run along the seed coat with many branches.
Peach kernels:
The surface is reddish-brown, slightly bitter in taste, and does not have a distinct almond smell.
The fine lines (vascular bundles) originating from the hilum run along the seed coat with fewer branches.
