Food
Apricot Kernels
Caution: raw apricot kernels contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide, and are not a recommended remedy.
🛑 RemedyRank warns against this
Apricot kernels release cyanide in the body. Poisonings and deaths are on record.
This page exists so the reasons are written down plainly, not because the practice is recommended. Nothing is sold here. If a doctor has prescribed something for a diagnosed condition, follow their guidance — that is a decision between you and them, and it is a different thing from trying this at home.
⤢📊 How it ranks (our editor score) — 30/100Tap to see the breakdown
👶 Safe for children?
This remedy carries age-related cautions. Please read them before giving it to a child, and check with your pediatrician or pharmacist first.
- Never give apricot kernels to children.
🌱 What it is
The seed found inside an apricot pit; some older folk sources describe eating them, but they contain amygdalin (which the body can convert to cyanide).
🥄 How to use it
Not recommended. Medical and poison-control guidance is to avoid raw apricot kernels altogether -- there is no amount that can be considered safe to eat, so it's best not to eat them at all.
How much: Not recommended; no amount of raw apricot kernel is considered safe to eat.
Why it works: Older folk tradition credited a compound in apricot kernels (laetrile/amygdalin) with fighting cancer; this claim is not supported by reliable evidence, and amygdalin can instead cause cyanide poisoning, especially in bitter kernels or larger amounts.
⚠️ Cautions
- Raw apricot kernels can cause cyanide poisoning; symptoms include dizziness, headache, and rapid breathing — seek emergency care if these occur after eating kernels.
- This is not an evidence-based cancer treatment; anyone facing cancer should work with an oncology team.
📚 Learn more
🌿 Deeper natural detail
🩺 The conventional view
💬 Ask Remy about Apricot Kernels
📚 Resource confidence
Based on mentions in health references
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