Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Prunus persica
|
| Common Names: |
peach
|
| Key Name: |
|
| Parts Used: |
Fruit; Leaves; Bark; Seeds; Flowers
|
| Sister Plants: |
Prunus armeniaca; Prunus domestica; Prunus avium
|
| Comments: |
Peach kernels contain amygdalin; used cautiously in traditional preparations
|
Taxonomy |
| Kingdom |
Viridiplantae |
Phylum |
Streptophyta |
| Class |
Magnoliopsida |
Order |
Rosales |
| Family |
Rosaceae |
Genus |
Prunus |
| Species |
|
NCBI Tax ID |
3760
|
| Organism |
Prunus persica
|
|
Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Deciduous tree with showy pink flowers in spring
|
| Stem: |
Smooth Bark when young; becomes furrowed with age
|
| Leaves: |
Lanceolate; serrated margins; alternate
|
| Flowers: |
Pink; five petals; appear before Leaves
|
| Fruit: |
Drupe with fuzzy skin; yellow to red flesh; single stone
|
| Taste: |
Sweet; slightly sour
|
| Odour: |
Sweet; fruity when ripe
|
| Root: |
Fibrous root system; shallow
|
| Image: |
|
Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Native to China; cultivated worldwide in temperate regions
|
| Cultivation: |
Well-drained soil; full Sun; prune annually
|
| Harvest: |
Fruit in late summer; Leaves in spring; Bark in autumn
|
Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Allopathic: Antioxidant; Laxative; Herbal: Demulcent; Diuretic; TCM: nourishes yin; Clears heat
|
| Medical Uses: |
Allopathic: supports skin health; Herbal: relieves cough; Ayurvedic: balances pitta; TCM: moistens Lungs
|
| Constituents: |
amygdalin; prunasin">prunasin; quercetin; kaempferol; vitamin A; Vitamin C; potassium; magnesium; Mucilage; Polyphenols
|
| Solvents: |
Water; Alcohol
|
| Dosage: |
Fruit: 1-2 daily; Leaf tea: 1 cup 2-3 times daily
|
| Administration: |
Oral; Topical
|
| Formulas: |
|
| Contra Indications: |
Pregnancy; Bitter almond-like seeds toxic in excess
|
| Preparation: |
|
| Chinese: |
Tao ren; clears blood stasis; moistens intestines
|
| Veterinary: |
Allopathic: fruit as treat for dogs in moderation
|
| Homeopathic: |
HOMEOPATHIC: Prunus spinosa for neuralgia
|
Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
Yes
|
| Pollinator: |
Bees; butterflies
|
| Pollen: |
Yes
|
| Pollen Notes: |
|
| Nectar: |
Yes
|
| Nectar Notes: |
|
Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
ornamental; perfume industry
|
| Culinary Uses: |
Fresh; dried; jams; desserts
|
| History: |
Cultivated in China for over 2000 years; spread via Silk Road
|
| Reference: |
Materia Medica; Bensky; WHO monographs
|
| URL: |
http://ency.local/ENCY/Prunus_persica
|
| Share: |
Public
|