What are the medicinal benefits of stir-fried apricot kernels?

Stir-fried apricot kernels are prepared by washing and draining the kernels, then stir-frying them with certain auxiliary ingredients until cooked. Generally, the medicinal benefits of stir-fried apricot kernels mainly include promoting metabolism, improving skin health, relieving cough and asthma, nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, and alleviating constipation. Specific details are as follows:

1. Promotes Metabolism

Stir-fried apricot kernels are rich in plant protein, fats, carbohydrates, and carotene, which meet various nutritional needs of the body and help promote metabolic functions.

2. Skin Beautification and Nourishment

Stir-fried apricot kernels are a valuable natural beauty ingredient. When ground into powder, they can be directly used as a facial mask to nourish the skin, inhibit pigment accumulation on the skin surface, lighten age spots, refine and whiten the skin, reduce wrinkles, and delay skin aging.

3. Treats Cough and Asthma

For cough caused by wind-cold accompanied by chest tightness and breathlessness, apricot kernels are often combined with Ephedra (Ma Huang) and licorice to dispel cold, relieve lung congestion, and alleviate asthma. For cough due to wind-heat, they are commonly paired with mulberry leaf and chrysanthemum to clear wind-heat and relieve cough by promoting lung function. For dry cough caused by wind-dryness, apricot kernels may be combined with mulberry leaf, Fritillaria bulb (Bei Mu), and Adenophora root (Sha Shen) to clear the lungs, moisten dryness, and stop coughing. Therefore, stir-fried apricot kernels show significant clinical effectiveness in treating cough.

4. Nourishes Yin and Moistens the Lungs

Stir-fried apricot kernels have the effect of nourishing yin and moistening the lungs. They contain abundant volatile oils and amygdalin, which help strengthen lung qi, relieve lung deficiency, and reduce inflammation in the lungs and bronchi. Regular consumption can enhance lung function, prevent pneumonia and bronchitis, and effectively prevent symptoms such as cough, asthma, and rapid breathing.

5. Alleviates Constipation

Stir-fried apricot kernels have a descending effect on qi and are often combined with seeds like Platycladi seed (Bai Zi Ren) and corn kernels to promote digestion and relieve constipation.

It is important to note that stir-fried apricot kernels should be used appropriately under the guidance of a healthcare professional to avoid adverse health effects. If any physical discomfort occurs, prompt medical consultation is recommended to support recovery.