Peach is a sweet, aromatic fruit that originated in China and the Mediterranean region. It has medicinal properties and various parts of the peach plant can be used to treat ailments. The fruit, bark, and leaves have demulcent, sedative, diuretic, expectorant, and laxative effects and can be used to treat conditions like gastritis, gastric congestion, whooping cough, bronchitis, and help expel worms. Applying various parts of the plant like the leaves or kernel milk can aid healing or induce sleep. However, the peach stone contains cyanide and should be avoided.

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Alternative medicine: Peach
Fri, 15 Feb 2008 20:10:45
By Patricia Khashayar, MD., Press TV, Tehran
Peach is a sweet, aromatic and astringent reddish fruit with tonic, laxative, demulcent,
sedative, diuretic and expectorant properties.
Botanical: Prunus persica (STOKES)
Family: N.O. Rosaceae
Synonym: Amygdalis Persica, Persica vulgaris Null.
Habitat:
Peach originates from North China and the Mediterranean region along the Silk Road. It is
known as the Persian apple as it developed in Persia before being introduced to Europe and
America.
Description:
Peach is a deciduous tree that grows 5-10 meters tall and has round juicy fruits containing a
single large stone. The yellowish-red fleshed fruit has velvety skin and is extremely fragrant.
Part Used Medicinally:
Fruit, Bark, leaves
Constituents:
The peach is a good source of potassium and vitamins A and C; it is modest in calories, low in
sodium and contains no saturated fat and small amounts of sugar.
Medicinal Uses:
Peach is a sweet, astringent fruit with laxative properties.
Peach tree leaves and bark have demulcent, sedative, diuretic and expectorant effects.
An infusion of the bark or dried leaves in boiling water is effective in treating gastritis and
gastric congestion.
It is also helpful in whooping coughs and chronic bronchitis.
When applied as a poultice fresh peach leaves can help expel worms, it can also be used to
treat warts.
Applying powdered peach leaves to fresh bleeding wounds improves the healing process.
Peach flower syrup and infusion are mild purgatives and can be used to treat jaundice.
Peach flower tincture alleviates colic pain.
Applying peach kernel milk or cream to the forehead procures rest and sleep particularly in
sick individuals.
http://www.presstv.com/pop/print.aspx?id=43241 3/17/2008

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Caution:
Peach stone contains hydrocyanic acid or cyanide, a toxic substance, which should be
avoided.
PKH/HGH
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http://www.presstv.com/pop/print.aspx?id=43241 3/17/2008