Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb

Family

Rosaceae

Synonym(s)

Amygdalus communis L.
Prunus amygdalus Batsch

English name(s)

Common Almond
Sweet Almond

Arabic Name(s)

loz لوز

Hebrew Name(s)

shaqed matzuy

שָׁקֵד מָצוּי

Life Form

Tree

Habitat

Mediterranean maquis and forest

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Ageing	Memory enhancement	Nootropic	Grind fruits & eat x3/day for 1 week.	Fruit	B
Cancer	Cancer	Anti-carcinogenic	1.Eat x7 dried seeds/day +/- honey until well. 2. Eat 1 teaspoon seeds + honey x2/day.	Seed	B
Child Health	Abdominal pain in infants	Carminative	Prepare infusion of ground seeds (sugar can be added) & drink x1 teaspoon (for an infant) as needed.	Seed	B
Child Health	Candida infection in infants	Anti-fungal	Apply oil externally x1-2/day on affected area.	Seed (oil)	B
Dermatological	Acne	Anti-Infective	Mix 1 tablespoon oil + cucumber juice & apply x1-2/day to affected area.	Seed (oil)	B
Dermatological	Hair loss	Hair restorer	1.Extract oil from seeds & apply externally to hair, cover with wet cloth & leave for 15-30 min; repeat x4- 6. 2.Extract oil from seeds & apply externally to hair before washing. 3. Mix equal amounts oil extracted from seeds + coconut oil + lettuce seeds & apply to head for 6 hr before hair wash; repeat x2/week.	Seed (oil)	B
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)	Earache	Analgesic	Extract oil from seeds & apply as warm drops into ear.	Seed	Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)	Sore throat	Anti-Infective, Demulcent	Mix seeds/gum (see NOTES) + honey & use internally.	Gum, Seed	Z
Gastrointestinal	Carminative & stomachic (promotes appetite/ digestion/ relieves flatulence etc.)	Carminative, Stomachic	Decoct root or fruits in water, cool, filter & drink x1 cup after every meal.	Fruit, Root	Z
Gastrointestinal	Dysentery	Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal	Heat almond oil + "shodon-aliza" (identity unknown) + water extract of Anchusa sp. & drink.	Seed	Z
Gastrointestinal	Gastroenteritis	Anti-Infective	Decoct root in water, cool, filter & drink 1 cup x3/day.	Root	Z
Gastrointestinal	Stomach acidity	Antacid	Eat raw seeds +/- honey.	Seed	B
Haematology	Heal spleen	Non-specific	Mix seeds/ gum (see NOTES) + sugar + poppy fruits & use internally. (Admin.details not specified.)	Gum, Seed	Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract	Kidney stones	Anti-lithic	Mix seeds/ gum (see NOTES) + honey & use internally. (Admin. details not specified. )	Gum, Seed	Z
Mens Health/ Reproductive Health	Male infertlity	Fertility	1. Grind dried seeds + Jacob`s rod (Asphodelus lutea) seeds + honey & eat xI teaspoon/day. 2. Boil 1 handful ground bark for 30 min, filter add + suger +? tablespoon lemon juice & drink x3 cups/day. 3. Eat 80 gm seeds daily for 2 mth. 4. Boil fruits in water & drink several times /day until well	Bark, Fruit, Seed	B
Mental health	Relaxant	Anxiolytic	Mix seeds + wheat grains + royal jelly + raisins (dried vitis vinefera fruit) + walnuts (Juglans regia) + pine nuts (Pinus pinea)+ dates (Phoenix dactylifera); eat daily.	Seed	B
Opthalmic	Cataract	Visual health	Grind seeds, add little water & heat; squeeze out liquid & apply as eye drops.	Seed	Z
Respiratory	Asthma	Anti-asthmatic	Decoct fruits & drink 1 cup x4/day.	Fruit	Z
Respiratory	Cough	Anti-tussive	1.Decoct fruits in water & drink 1 cup x4/day as needed. 2. Mix seeds or gum (see NOTES) + honey & use internally.	Fruit, Gum, Seed	Z
Respiratory	Expel mucus	Expectorant	Decoct fruits in water & drink 1 cup x3/ day as needed.	Fruit	Z
Surgical/ Trauma	Haemorrhage	Haemostatic	Apply seeds/ gum externally. (See NOTES).	Gum, Seed	Z
Women`s Health	Promote lactation (B) Prevent milk flow cessation in nursing women (Z)	Galactagogue	1. Eat fresh fruits & seeds x 2-3/day for 1-3 mth after delivery.(B) 2. Mix ground seeds + "nabat" sugar (large sugar crystals) in milk & drink. (Z)	Fruit, Seed	B, Z
Women`s Health	Stop labour pains	Tocolytic	Cook a little "hilbeh" (Trigonella foenum-graecum) in water. After cooking, discard bitter water & re-cook to obtain a mash. Add almond oil (from seed) + castor oil + "nabat" sugar (large sugar crystals) & eat.	Seed	Z
Women`s Health	Strengthens female hormones	Alterative	1. Mix seeds + wheat grains + royal jelly + raisins (dried vitis vinefera fruit) + walnuts (Juglans regia)+ pine nuts (Pinus pinea)+ dates (Phoenix dactylifera); eat daily 2. Eat roasted seeds daily.	Seed	B

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.

Notes

Z notes that where "gum" is used in preparations of Prunus dulcis, its unclear whether this refers to the edible solidified resin from the tree or from the seeds. See also CAUTIONS for this species.

Cautions

The bitter seeds, fruit & leaves of Prunus dulcis contain prunasin, a cyanogenic glycoside. In wild, bitter almonds this can correspond to 4–9 mg of hydrogen cyanide per almond, x42 higher than the trace levels of cyanide found in sweet (domesticted) almonds. The wild bitter seeds or fruit of Prunus amygdalus should therefore not be eaten. HCN in excess (10 seeds in children) can cause respiratory failure and death.