A small to medium sized tree, larger and longer-lived than peach. Leaves are linear, like peach but generally not as large, and somewhat thicker. Flowers are borne laterally on spurs, or sometimes laterally on long shoots as in peach, particularly on younger trees. Flowering on basal spurs of 4 to 6 yr old wood gradually declines, hence older limbs become unfruitful and are pruned out. Fruit starts out as a drupe and ends up as a nut.

The seed is demulcent, emollient, laxative, nutritive and pectoral; eliminates stones in the urinary tract, diuretic, strengthens nerves and tonic to the brain.

Herbal Monograph
King's American Dispensatory

Amandin (globulin), folic acid and alpha- tocopherol.

Maladies of the skin. It is used in the treatment of kidney stones, gallstones and constipation. Externally, the oil is applied to dry skins and is also often used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy. The leaves are used in the treatment of diabetes. The plant contains the antitumour compound taxifolin.

Sharma, Classical Uses of Medicinal Plants.