Almonds

Almonds

　　Produced in Chengde, Hebei.

Harvested when the fruits ripen in summer, the flesh and shells are removed, and the seeds are extracted and dried. Store in a cool, dry place. The dried seeds are heart-shaped, slightly flattened, tapering to a point at the top and rounded at the base, and are asymmetrical left to right. The seed coat is reddish-brown or dark brown, with fine vertical wrinkles on the surface, and tastes bitter. Preferred qualities are those with uniform particle size, full and plump shape, bitter taste, and no oiliness. They contain amygdalin and emulsin. Bitter in taste, toxic, and warm in nature. They have the effects of dispelling phlegm and relieving cough, calming wheezing, and moistening the intestines, and are mainly used to treat coughs due to external contraction, wheezing, and constipation caused by intestinal dryness.