Amygdalin is a compound found in the pits or seeds of apricots, apples, peaches, plums, red cherries, and other fruits. It's also in bitter almonds. A partly man-made, purified form of amygdalin, known as Laetrile, was patented in the 1950s and became a popular alternative cancer treatment during the 1960s and '70s.
Where can I get amygdalin?
Natural sources of amygdalin include:
- Pits and seeds of apricots, peaches, papaya, and apples.
- Raw almonds11.
- Lima beans, mung beans, and butter beans.
- Clover.
- Sorghum12.
- Carrots.
- Celery.
- Bean sprouts.
How is amygdalin formed?
Amygdalin occurs in many plants, notably in seeds of fruits in the Rosaceae family such as bitter almonds, apricots, and plums. Laetrile is a derivative of amygdalin formed by the hydrolytic removal of one glycoside group from the parent compound.
