Almond with Antitumor Activity

Family: Rosaceae

Genus: Prunus

Synonyms: Amygdalus communis - L.

                   Amygdalus dulcis - Mill.

                   Prunus amygdalus - Batsch.

                   Prunus communis - L.

Range Europe

 E. Mediterranean to C. Asia.

Edible Parts: Seed.

Edible Uses: Gum; Milk; Oil.

Seed - raw, cooked or dried and ground into a powder for use in confections etc. The whole seed can also be roasted, sprouted or used in cakes, confectionery and pastry. The sweet-flavoured forms have a delicious flavour but bitter forms should not be eaten in any quantity - see the notes above on toxicity. The seed is somewhat difficult to digest and so needs to be thoroughly masticated. It can be blended with water to make almond milk. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. It is used mainly as a food flavouring and in cooking. An edible gum is obtained from points of damage on the stems.

Medicinal Uses:
Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antitumor; Demulcent; Emollient; Nutritive.
As well as being a tasty addition to the diet, almonds are also beneficial to the overall health of the body,

• Being used especially in the treatment of kidney stones, gallstones and constipation.
• Externally, the oil is applied to dry skins and is also often used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy. The seed is demulcent, emollient, laxative, nutritive and pectoral.
• When used medicinally, the fixed oil from the seed is normally employed. The seed contains 'laetrile', a substance that has also been called vitamin B17.
• This has been claimed to have a positive effect in the treatment of cancer, but there does not at present seem to be much evidence to support this.
• The pure substance is almost harmless, but on hydrolysis it yields hydrocyanic acid, a very rapidly acting poison - it should thus be treated with caution.
• In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being.
• The leaves are used in the treatment of diabetes.
• The plant contains the antitumour compound taxifolin.

Other Uses:

Adhesive; Cleanser; Cosmetic; Dye; Gum; Miscellany; Oil; Soap making.

An oil expressed from the seeds is an excellent lubricant in delicate mechanisms such as watches. It is often used in soaps and cosmetics because it has a softening effect on the skin. A green dye can be obtained from the leaves. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit. A yellow dye is obtained from the roots and leaves. The bruised leaves, when rubbed within any container, will remove strong odours such as garlic or cloves so long as any grease has first been fully cleaned off. A gum from the stems is used as an adhesive. The burnt shell yields a valuable absorbent for coal gas. The burnt pericarp is rich in potassium, it is used in soap making. The seed contains amygdallin, under the influence of water and in the presence of emulsion it can be hydrolized to produce benzaldehyde (the almond aroma, formula C6 H5 CHO) and prussic acid (the toxic principle).

Known Hazards:

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and seed and is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

References:
(Mill.)D.A.Webb.