Are cherry kernels poisonous?

Cherry is a very delicious fruit, and it is rich in fiber, which is very helpful to the human body. But everyone should be careful when eating cherries, the cherry kernels cannot be eaten. Many people have reported that they experienced dizziness, vomiting, or even coma after accidentally eating cherry kernels. In severe cases, it can even endanger their lives, so be sure to remove the kernels before eating cherries. So, are cherry kernels poisonous?

Cherry pits are poisonous. Once the cherry pits are chewed or crushed, hydrocyanic acid is automatically produced. And if you eat a cherry and without thinking, bite off the pit and leave it in your mouth, you may have swallowed hydrogen cyanide. Symptoms of mild hydrogen cyanide poisoning include headache, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, panic and vomiting. Large amounts of hydrocyanic acid can cause breathing difficulties, high blood pressure, a rapid heart rate, and kidney failure.

Therefore, when eating cherries, be sure not to suck or chew the cherry pits, and remove the pits first when juicing. However, there is no need to worry too much about this. Although there is cyanide in cherry pits, it is difficult to get poisoned by eating cherries.

Main Value

Treat measles that are not breaking out smoothly; eliminate gangrene and scars.

① " Illustrated Southern Yunnan Materia Medica": If the pox is white and sunken on the top without any pus rising, grind it into powder and apply it on the affected area to raise the pus and start the growth.

② "Bencao Zaixin": eliminates toxins and eliminates gangrene tumors.

③ "Jiangsu Plant Medicinal Records": Treats measles that breaks out slowly; boils water to wash sores and eliminate scars.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 1 to 3 qian.

For external use: grind the juice and apply or decoct in water for washing.

[Dos and Don'ts] "Illustrated Southern Yunnan Materia Medica" says it is not recommended for people with smallpox or yang syndrome.

[Selected Prescription] ① Treating hoarseness caused by acne: 20 sweet cherry pits.

Roast in a casserole until yellow, and boil it into a soup.

(Compendium of Materia Medica) ②To treat eyelid tumors: Grind cherry pits into water and apply it on the eyelids, and the tumors will gradually disappear.

(Medical Guide)

【Notes】

1: Cherries are warm in nature, so people with fever or cough due to deficiency of heat should avoid eating them. Cherry kernels contain cyanogenic glycosides, which produce hydrocyanic acid after hydrolysis, so be careful of poisoning when using them for medicinal purposes.

2. Especially when cherries are exposed to rain, they may have small insects inside, which are difficult to see with the naked eye. If you soak them in water, after a period of time, the tiny insects will sting out. Then it is safe to eat them and beneficial to your health.

Cherry leaf and cherry pit literature review Cherry, also known as "warbler peach", is a deciduous small tree belonging to the genus Plum in the Rosaceae family. Its branches, leaves, roots and pits can all be used as medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that cherries are sweet and sour, and can nourish the spleen and stomach.