Almond Bitter

Almond Bitter: dangerous and medicinal

Bitter almond, or Amygdalus communis var. amara, is one of the most famous representatives of the plant world, known for its poisonous properties and medicinal uses.

It is a thorny tree that can reach a height of 3 to 8 meters and belongs to the Rosaceae family. In nature, it grows in the subtropics of China and Asia Minor, and is also cultivated in many countries with warm climates, especially in the Mediterranean.

Cultivated forms of Gorky almond have practically no thorns, and their flowers can be pink-red or white.

However, it is important to note that bitter almonds contain toxic substances, mainly a hydrocyanic acid glycoside known as J-amygdalin. If consumed in large quantities, it can cause poisoning, symptoms of which include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, convulsions and even death.

However, bitter almonds also have medicinal properties and are used in homeopathy to treat asthma and diphtheria. This is due to the fact that J-amygdalin, when interacting with the enzyme beta-glucosidase, decomposes into hydrogen cyanide, glucose and benzaldehyde, which has an anti-inflammatory effect.

In addition, bitter almonds contain vitamin C, asparagine and choline, which are beneficial for human health.

In conclusion, we can say that bitter almonds are a plant with dangerous but also medicinal properties. One should be careful when consuming it and it is best to use it only as prescribed by a doctor or homeopathy specialist.