🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Apricots are not only excellent for longevity but also every part—fruit, kernel, leaves, bark, and roots—can be used medicinally. Apricot kernels come in bitter and sweet varieties, with bitter apricot kernels being more commonly used clinically. Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty, scholar Xing Shixun stayed overnight at a Daoist temple on Qingcheng Mountain and dreamed of a fairy revealing a secret remedy: eating seven apricot kernels every morning could extend life and improve hearing and vision. He followed this regimen and indeed remained physically agile and mentally alert in old age. Research shows apricot kernels are highly nutritious: every 500 grams contain 120 grams of protein, 240 grams of fat, 649 mg calcium, 929 mg phosphorus, 17.9 mg iron, and various vitamins. Hence, the Himalayan residents who habitually eat dried apricots and apricot kernels have an average lifespan of 90–100 years. Bitter apricot kernels are bitter in taste, warm in nature, and enter the lung and large intestine meridians. Their medicinal functions include dispersing wind-cold, lowering qi, relieving asthma, and promoting bowel movement. As Li Shizhen, the great pharmacologist, noted: “Apricot kernels disperse and descend, thus they can relieve depression, dispel wind, lower qi, and moisten dryness.” In *Dream of the Red Chamber*, Grandma Jia deeply understands health preservation. In Chapter 54, during the Lantern Festival banquet at Rongguo Mansion, everyone enjoyed themselves late into the night. Grandma Jia said, “It’s so long, I’m getting hungry.” Fengjie quickly replied, “We’ve prepared duck meat congee.” Grandma Jia said, “I’d prefer something light.” Fengjie hurriedly added, “We also have jujube-cooked glutinous rice porridge, reserved for ladies observing fasts.” Grandma Jia laughed, “Not greasy or overly sweet.” Fengjie quickly offered, “There’s also apricot kernel tea.” Grandma Jia said, “That’s acceptable.” She knew that greasy or overly sweet night meals harm internal organs and impair digestion. Thus, she chose the light, grease-free apricot kernel tea. Apricot kernels are also a beauty enhancer. *Compendium of Materia Medica* states: “Eating apricot kernels enriches the skin with oils, thus moisturizing and beautifying skin and hair.” *Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang* includes a formula called “Birch Bark Powder,” effective for facial rashes and women’s acne. Yang Guifei’s secret beauty recipe also centered on apricot kernels combined with talc and light powder, applied to the face to achieve a rosy, radiant complexion—after application, her face looked like red jade.