Cherry Pit

Everyone is very interested in cherries, right? But how much do you know about cherry pits? Let me tell you.

Cherry Pit

[Source] Illustrated Book of Southern Yunnan Materia Medica

【Pinyin name】Yīnɡ Táo Hé

[Source] It is the pit of the cherry plant of the Rosaceae family. Take the ripe fruit and place it in a jar, rub it with your hands to separate the pulp from the pit, then wash away the pulp, take out the clean pit and dry it in the sun.

【Original form】The plant morphology is detailed in cherry strips.

【Properties】

The dried kernel is flat and oval, 8-12 mm long, 7-9 mm in diameter, with a slightly pointed and slightly crooked top, like a bird's beak, and a round concave hole at the other end. The outer surface is white or light yellow, with inconspicuous small pits, the ventral suture is slightly protruding, the dorsal suture is obvious and prominent, and there are two longitudinal protruding ribs on both sides. It is hard and not easy to break. There is a seed in the kernel, the surface is irregularly wrinkled, reddish yellow, and brown after long storage. The seed kernel is light yellow and rich in oil. It has a slight fragrance and a slightly bitter taste. The plump, light yellowish white, and impurity-free ones are preferred.

Cherry pit function

It can cure rash and detoxify. It can cure measles that is not clear; it can eliminate gangrene and scars.

① "Illustrated Southern Yunnan Materia Medica": If the pox is white and sunken on the top without any pus rising, grind it into powder and apply it on the affected area to raise the pus and start the pox growing.

② "Bencao Zaixin": eliminates toxins and eliminates gangrene tumors.

③ "Jiangsu Plant Medicinal Records": Treats measles that breaks out slowly; boils in water to wash sores and eliminate scars.

【Usage and Dosage】

Internal use: decoction, 1-3 qian. External use: grind juice and apply or decoct in water for washing.

【Notice】

"Illustrated Southern Yunnan Materia Medica" says: It is not suitable for people with smallpox or Yang syndrome.

【Additional prescription】

①Treatment of hoarseness caused by pox: 20 sweet cherry pits. Roast them in a clay pot until they turn yellow, and boil them in water to drink. (Compendium of Materia Medica)

②Treatment of eyelid tumors: Grind cherry pits into water and apply it on the eyelids. The tumors will gradually disappear. (Medical Guide)