Peach leaf, c/s

Scientific Name: Prunus persica, Rosacea family

Common Names: Peach leaf

Parts used: leaf, seed, fruit

Compounds: Amygdalin, hydrocyanic acid.

Background:

Prunus persica and Prunus armeniaca, apricot, appear in Chinese literature before 2000 BC, where they are considered to be native. Apricots were brought to Greece by Alexander the Great. Certainly the Greeks knew peaches by 332 B.C. Virgil noted the fruit in Rome, circa 50 BC. By 1571 three varieties of peach had been imported for cultivation to Mexico.

Applications: Sedative, laxative, mild diuretic.

Used to treat gastric and stomach irritations and abdominal tenderness, irritation, or congestion.

Amygdalus is the remedy for irritation and congestion of gastric surfaces. It is a valuable in gastritis to control the vomiting and allay extreme irritability of the stomach. Used to treat irritation of the throat and for bronchial mucous membranes. The infusion is useful in chronic diarrhea and dysentery, in chronic hepatitis, in chronic bronchitis, and in dyspepsia. The infusion may be freely administered.

Description: The common peach tree is medium-sized, has spreading branches, brown, smooth bark. Leaves grow to 5 in. in length, are lanceolate, bright-green, and smooth, with acute serratures, and short petioles of 1-2 glands. Five-petaled flowers are axillary, solitary, subsessile, and of a rose color. The seeds, though smaller, resemble almonds, chemically and physically.

Dosage: Use 2 tsp. dried leaf to 1 c. boiling water. Infuse for 20 min. Use as a gargle for sore throat or for chills:1/2 cup per hour.

Safety:

There is no known negative safety information available.

Poisoning, similar to that of hydrocyanic acid, has occurred from the ingestion of peach seed.

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For educational purposes only
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.