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DESCRIPTION:
Apricot seeds are almond-shaped kernels inside the fruit’s pit, or stone.
Raw apricot seeds contain a compound called amygdalin, which is an enzyme that your gut turns into cyanide.
Cyanide is a toxic chemical that is naturally found in small amounts in apples, peaches, lima beans, and other foods.
You can get sick or die if you eat a lot of it.
Some people believe that the cyanide from eating apricot seeds can kill cancer cells.
But there is no scientific evidence that this treatment works. In fact, they might be harmful.
It’s illegal to sell apricot products or extracts as drugs.
Apricot kernel is the seed found inside the apricot pit.
It contains a chemical called amygdalin, which the body turns into cyanide.
It can be toxic.
Amygdalin from apricot kernel and a semi-synthetic form of amygdalin known as laetrile were once marketed to fight cancer, but research has shown that they don't help.
Laetrile and amygdalin are not approved by the US FDA for any use.
Amygdalin is converted into cyanide in the stomach.
People use apricot kernel for treating cancer, but there is no good scientific evidence to support this use.
Apricot Seed Extract is also unsafe when consumed in larger amounts.
Purified apricot kernel extract or oil are sometimes used in topical products and to flavor liquors.
Apricot kernels are similar in appearance to a small almond.
Fresh apricot kernels are white, but the skin becomes light brown when it dries out.
According to a 2022 reviewTrusted Source of research, some manufacturers use apricot kernels in the production of cosmetics, medications, and oil.
The kernels contain protein, fiber, and oil, which people can extract from the kernel.
Apricot kernels do not contain a significant amount of vitamins and minerals, but the oil does containTrusted Source vitamin E.
According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin E has antioxidant properties.
Apricot kernel oil is high in essential fatty acids, including stearic acid and linoleic acid, which is a type of omega-6 fatty acid.
These are necessary for human health, but the human body cannot produce them, so people should consume fatty acids as part of their diet.
CAN APRICOT SEED EXTRACT HELP FIGHT CANCER?
Apricot kernels may have some health benefits, and if manufacturers can remove the harmful elements, certain chemicals inside apricot kernels may one day prove useful for cancer treatment.
For example, scientists have proposed that a compound called amygdalin, present in apricot kernels, may helpTrusted Sourceto eradicate tumors and prevent cancer by stopping cells from reproducing.
However, there is no evidence to support the idea tat eating apricot kernels can help treat cancer.
What is amygdalin?
Amygdalin is a naturally occurring substance found in apricot kernels.
It is also present in the seeds of other fruits, including apples, cherries, plums, and peaches.
While some research suggests that amygdalin may help fight cancer, people should note that the substance is a cyanogenic glycoside.
This means that when someone eats amygdalin, it converts toTrusted Source cyanide in their body.
Cyanide is a fast-acting, potentially deadly chemical.
Future research may allow scientists to learn how to utilize extracted amygdalin safely in cancer treatments.
What is laetrile?
Laetrile, which some people call “vitamin B-17“, is a partly synthetic form of amygdalin.
According to Cancer Research UK, some individuals with cancer might take laetrile as an alternative treatment in the hope that it will:
“detox” and cleanse the body
boost their energy levels
improve their overall health and sense of wellbeing
prolong life
It is available as:
a skin lotion
oral tablets
injections
a liquid to insert into the rectum
However, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approveTrusted Source B-17, or laetrile, for use in the U.S.
They deem the substance unsafe for food and drug use.
Researchers have not conducted any controlled clinical trials on laetrile, and there are no case reports that suggest the substance is an effective cancer treatment.
WHAT NUTRIENTS DO APRICOT SEED EXTRACT CONTAIN?
Apricots share many similar properties and uses with almonds.
Apricot kernels are made upTrusted Source of:
45 to 50 percent oil
25 percent protein
8 percent carbohydrates
5 percent fiber
They’re also loaded with healthy fats that help to lower “bad” cholesterol.
The kernels contain essential fatty acids (omega-6s and omega-3s).
These help fight heart disease, improve mental health, and have a host of other benefits.
History of Amygdalin and Cancer
Amygdalin was used in Russia as early as in 1845 to treat cancer.
In the 1940s, an American doctor named Ernst T. Krebs Sr. patented a man-made version of amygdalin called laetrile and pushed it as an anticancer drug.
He was convicted of selling laetrile illegally. The FDA has banned laetrile since the 1970s.
Krebs and others claimed with little evidence that amygdalin targeted only cancer cells, not healthy ones.
But studies later showed it can lead to cyanide toxicity, whose symptoms are similar to cyanide poisoning.
It can make you dizzy and nauseated, damage your liver, and cause a coma or even death.
Amygdalin is also called vitamin B17.
But that’s a term made up by Krebs’s son, Ernst T. Krebs Jr. Amygdalin and laetrile are not approved vitamins.
What the Research Says
So far, there haven’t been any controlled clinical trials on humans to prove that laetrile or apricot seeds have any anticancer effects.
Amygdalin studies on animals and in labs have turned up mixed results.
Some found no benefits. Others showed amygdalin might help with pain or slow down or kill certain cells that cause tumors.
That includes the ones in cancers of the:
Lung
Bladder
Kidney
Prostate
Cervix
Colon
Scientists continue to study how and if amygdalin might help fight cancer.
Until they know more, they can’t say if amygdalin can be used safely, or at what amounts.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF APRICOT SEED EXTRACT:
May have anticancer properties:
Apricot kernels are high in antioxidants that protect cells from free radical damage, and studies have shown that apricot seeds have anti-inflammatory properties.
In addition, one nutrient known for cancer prevention is vitamin B17, which is abundant in apricot seeds.
Some people believe that apricot seeds help kill cancer cells as soon as they form.
However, studies report that the compounds in these seeds can harm the body in addition to destroying the malignant cells, so using apricot seeds for cancer without consulting a doctor is not recommended.
Promotes heart health
Although amygdalin receives the most attention when it comes to apricot seeds, pangamic acid is another unique compound found in these seeds that have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease.
Pangamic acid has been linked to reducing stress on the cardiovascular system, particularly in the case of ischemic heart disease.
Some studies have also reported that consuming small amounts of apricot seeds on a regular basis can lower blood pressure, thus lowering your risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
Good for respiratory health
There is significant anecdotal evidence that apricot seeds are linked to better respiratory health because they can cut through mucus and phlegm deposition in the respiratory tract.
The active ingredients in apricot seeds act as an expectorant and make the body less sensitive to allergens, which can reduce the severity of asthma attacks and throat inflammation.
Improves digestive health
Apricot kernels are high in healthy fats as well as protein and fiber, a combination that promotes satiety.
In addition, apricot seeds contain 5% fiber per seed, and fiber cleanses the digestive tract by helping remove toxins.
Dietary fiber can increase peristaltic motion in the gut, resulting in more regular bowel movements and a reduction in symptoms such as constipation, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea.
Dietary fiber can also help with nutrient absorption in the gut.
Beneficial for skin health
Apricot seeds have mild exfoliating properties that can help remove dead skin cells from your skin.
Apricot seed oil is high in essential fatty acids (oleic and linoleic) and vitamins A and E, which can moisturize and nourish dry skin.
Apricot Seed Extract is commonly used in cosmetics, particularly creams, soaps, and skin lotions.
You can also mix powdered apricot seeds with olive oil and apply it to the skin.
The oil absorbs quickly and does not leave an oily residue on the skin.
As a result, Apricot Seed Extract is popular as a massage and sunbathing oil.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT ANGELICA DAHURICA ROOT EXTRACT
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product.
