Overview

Japanese apricot is a small fruit tree. The fruit, branches, and flowers are used to make medicine.

People take Japanese apricot for colds, stomach and intestinal disorders, to prevent heart disease, sunburn, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Japanese apricot contains chemicals that might kill cancer cells and certain bacteria. Japanese apricot might also help to prevent heart disease by lowering levels of fat in the blood and allowing the blood to flow better.

In manufacturing, Japanese apricot is added to cosmetic lotions.

Japanese apricot fruit juice is a traditional Japanese beverage.



How does it work ?

Japanese apricot contains chemicals that might kill cancer cells and certain bacteria. Japanese apricot might also help to prevent heart disease by lowering levels of fat in the blood and allowing the blood to flow better.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Persistent heartburn. People who eat Japanese apricot every day might be less likely to have persistent heartburn than those who don't eat Japanese apricot.
  • A digestive tract infection that can lead to ulcers (Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori). Drinking diluted concentrate of Japanese apricot juice doesn't seem to help treat H. pylori infections. Also, most people who eat Japanese apricot fruit don't seem to have a lower chance of developing an H. pylori infection compared to those who don't eat Japanese apricot.
  • Swelling (inflammation) of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (hepatitis C). Early research shows that taking Japanese apricot improves markers of liver injury in people with hepatitis C. But it's unclear if taking Japanese apricot reduces the risk of complications of hepatitis C.
  • High blood pressure. Early research shows that taking Japanese apricot doesn't reduce blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
  • Build up of fat in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD). Early research shows that taking Japanese apricot improves markers of livery injury in people with NAFLD. But it's unclear if taking Japanese apricot reduces the risk of complications of NAFLD.
  • Fever.
  • Cough.
  • Stomach disorders.
  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
  • Menopausal symptoms.
  • Cancer.
  • Prevention of heart disease.
  • Fatigue.
  • Gout.
  • Sunburn, when applied to the skin.
  • Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Japanese apricot for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Dried or pickled Japanese apricot is LIKELY SAFE when eaten in food amounts. An extract of dried Japanese apricot is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth short-term. Side effects might include upset stomach or constipation. In rare cases, allergic reactions might occur. Raw Japanese apricot is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to eat. The raw fruit contains toxic chemicals. Only processed fruit products should be used.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Japanese apricot is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Dried or pickled Japanese apricot is LIKELY SAFE when eaten in food amounts. An extract of dried Japanese apricot is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth short-term. Side effects might include upset stomach or constipation. In rare cases, allergic reactions might occur. Raw Japanese apricot is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to eat. The raw fruit contains toxic chemicals. Only processed fruit products should be used.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Japanese apricot is safe or what the side effects might be.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Japanese apricot is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Diabetes: Japanese apricot might lower blood sugar. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use Japanese apricot.

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

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Japanese Apricot

    Japanese apricot might lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking Japanese apricot along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

    Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Japanese Apricot

    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.

Dosing

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.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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