Medicinal remedies from apricots

Apricots are also known as plums. Green apricots are called "thanh mai," and when soaked in alcohol, they are called "thanh mai ziu." Salted apricots are called "diem mai" or "bach mai." "O mai" refers to apricots that are black in color. In Southern Vietnam, "diem mai" and "bach mai" are commonly known as "xi muoi" and are very popular among women. Apricot flesh contains many vitamins, especially vitamins A and C, citric acid, sugar, mucilage, and minerals. Traditional Chinese medicine calls apricots "mai zi," which have a sour taste and neutral properties. "Mai zi" acts on the liver, spleen, lungs, and large intestine meridians. "Bach mai" balances osmosis between cells and blood and stimulates appetite. Here are some ways to use apricots as medicine.

Candied apricots are used to treat coughs with phlegm and vomiting.

Chronic cough: 20g white plum blossom, 10g balloon flower root, 10g ophiopogon root, 5g licorice root, 10g tangerine peel, 20g astragalus root, decoct with 2 bowls of water until only 1/2 bowl remains, divide into 2 doses and drink during the day.

Diabetes mellitus, urinary incontinence: White apricot blossom, Rehmannia glutinosa, Dioscorea opposita, Paeonia lactiflora, Schisandra chinensis. 10g of each, cinnamon 2g. Decoction for oral administration.

Gallstones, cholecystitis: White apricot blossom, processed licorice, golden coin grass, sea buckthorn, corydalis yanhusuo, chicken gizzard lining. 15g of each, decocted and drunk.

For chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency: decoct 10g each of white plum blossom, white atractylodes, Terminalia chebula, and Codonopsis pilosula.

Night sweats: White apricot blossom, astragalus, ephedra root, angelica. Boil 10g of each in water and drink the decoction.

Dry mouth, thirst, and excessive heat: White plum blossom, Trichosanthes kirilowii, Polygonatum odoratum, Dendrobium nobile. 6g of each, decocted and drunk.

To treat roundworm infestation: decoct 10g of white apricot blossom, 6g of Sichuan pepper, and 3 slices of ginger and drink the resulting liquid.

To treat toothache: crush ripe apricots and rub the paste onto the affected tooth.

To cure a hangover, boil apricots in tea and drink the decoction (it's very effective).

Warts (verrucae) on the skin. Soak 30g of white apricot blossoms in 24g of salt water (remove the seeds) and a little vinegar, then grind into a fine powder and apply to the wart.

Freshly ripened apricot juice mixed with sugar, or apricot syrup diluted with water, is a great refreshing drink that increases stamina, combats fatigue, and improves appetite.

Plum wine also helps improve appetite, aids digestion of rice, meat, and fats, and enhances eyesight. Consume it with meals, a small cup (25-30ml). Green plum wine dispels cold, warms the stomach, treats poor appetite, and eliminates intestinal worms.

Green plum wine is used to treat rheumatism, vomiting, stomach pain, prevent heatstroke, and excessive sweating of the hands and feet (taken internally and applied externally for massage).

Apricots are processed into many kinds of jams and candies, which can be eaten or sucked on to freshen breath, relieve sore throats, nausea, coughs, and phlegm.

According to Health and Life