Japanese Apricot

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Interactions
• Dosing

Japanese apricot is a small ornamental fruit tree. It produces a yellow fruit and has fragrant pink and white blossoms. The fruit, branches, and flowers are used to make medicine.

People take Japanese apricot for fever, cough, stomach and intestinal disorders, trouble sleeping (insomnia), menopausal symptoms, cancer, and prevention of heart disease. It is also used for detoxification and thirst.

Japanese apricot is sometimes applied directly to the skin for sunburn.

In manufacturing, Japanese apricot is added to cosmetic lotions.

Japanese apricot fruit juice is a traditional Japanese beverage.

How does it work?

There is not enough information to know how Japanese apricot might work for any medical condition.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Fever.
• Cough.
• Stomach disorders.
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
• Menopausal symptoms.
• Cancer.
• Prevention of heart disease.
• Sunburn, when applied to the skin.
• Other conditions.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

The processed fruit seems to be safe in food amounts. But the raw fruit might be UNSAFE to eat because it contains toxic chemicals. Only processed fruit products should be eaten.

There is not enough information to know if it is safe to use Japanese apricot in medicinal amounts or apply it to the skin.

Surgery: Japanese apricot might slow blood clotting. There is some concern that it might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using Japanese apricot at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Japanese apricot flower extract might slow blood clotting. Taking Japanese apricot flower extracts along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

The appropriate dose of Japanese apricot depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Japanese apricot. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.