Xìng Rén (杏仁), known in English as Apricot kernel (Prunus armeniaca (seed)), is a warm, bitter and sweet Chinese herb from the Resolve phlegm category. It enters the Lung and Large Intestine channels. Its main action: stops cough, calms wheezing — primary antitussive herb.
| Pinyin | Xìng Rén (Xing Ren) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 杏仁 |
| English | Apricot kernel |
| Botanical name | Prunus armeniaca (seed) |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Bitter, Sweet |
| Channels | Lung, Large Intestine |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Diarrhoea; Yin deficiency; toxic in overdose |
Actions
- Stops cough, calms wheezing — primary antitussive herb
- Moistens intestines, unblocks bowels
Indications
- Cough and wheezing from any aetiology
- Constipation from intestinal dryness
How to remember Xìng Rén
Most Resolve phlegm herbs enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Lung channel: from its action “Stops cough”
- Large Intestine channel: from its action “Moistens intestines”
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in nature
- Bitter: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Sweet: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
Formulas containing Xìng Rén
Other Resolve phlegm herbs
- Bàn Xià
- Guā Lóu
- Tiān Nán Xīng
- Zào Jiǎo Cì
- Jié Gěng
- Chuān Bèi Mǔ
- Zhè Bèi Mǔ
- Zhú Rú
- Tiān Zhú Huáng
- Hǎi Zǎo
- Kūn Bù
- Pí Pá Yè
- Zǐ Wǎn
- Bǎi Bù
- Kuǎn Dōng Huā
- Sāng Bái Pí
- Tíng Lì Zǐ
- Bái Jiè Zǐ
- Bái Qián
- Qián Hú
- Xuán Fù Huā
- Zǐ Sū Zǐ
- Bái Guǒ
- Qīng Méng Shí
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Xìng Rén?
Xìng Rén is warm and bitter and sweet.
Which channels does Xìng Rén enter?
Xìng Rén enters the Lung and Large Intestine channels.
What are the actions of Xìng Rén?
Stops cough, calms wheezing — primary antitussive herb; Moistens intestines, unblocks bowels.
What is Xìng Rén used for?
Cough and wheezing from any aetiology; constipation from intestinal dryness.
Which formulas contain Xìng Rén?
Má Huáng Tāng, Sāng Jú Yǐn, Qīng Zào Jiù Fèi Tāng, Dìng Chuǎn Tāng, Má Zǐ Rén Wán and Má Xìng Shí Gān Tāng.
Practise Xìng Rén and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.