Peach Uses and Plant Profile
Peaches are a quintessential fruit of summer, drooping like perfect fuzzy, yellow-orange orbs that drip with juice as soon as the skin is broken. Whether fresh, canned, or baked into a pie the fruits grace us with a complex sour sweetness.
Peach Uses & Plant Profile Summary:
- Botanical Name: Prunus persica (Amygdalus persica in older texts)
- Other Common Names: peach, peach leaf, Tao Zi (pin yin, referring to fruit), Tao Ren (pin yin referring to kernels/seeds)
- Family: Rosaceae
- Parts Used: fruit, leaf, twigs and bark, pits (due to some safety concerns covered later, this is less common in Western Herbalism, but pits are commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine)
- Energetics: cooling, slightly moistening
- Taste: aromatic and slightly bitter, sometimes a little sweet or sour; the most prominent flavor though is almond, similar to almond extract
- Plant Properties: anti-inflammatory, antiemetic, anti-nausea, antispasmodic, demulcent, diuretic, emmenagogue (pits), expectorant (pits), relaxing and sedative nervine
- Plant Uses: soothing a variety of stomach and upper GI ailments, reducing nausea and vomiting, modulating allergic reactions and immune hypersensitivity, nervous system support for anxiety, restlessness and burnout, and an energetic ally for grief
- Plant Preparations: tincture, infusion, poultice, food
Peach has a long history in traditional Southern Appalachian Folk Herbalism, and I’m sure that my ancestors in Kentucky and surrounding states used the fruits, leaves, and bark for medicine. I didn’t grow up with peach trees though — southern Florida doesn’t get the freeze that peaches need to flower and set fruit. Peaches came into my life in New England, both at the U-Pick farms and in my herbal apprenticeship where I learned to love the medicine of the whole tree.
The first medicine I made with peach leaves was an elixir, made with the autumn leaves just starting to tinge yellow, steeped in honey and brandy. It sat on my shelf for almost a year because I didn’t love the almond-y almost marzipan-like flavor that the leaves bring to any extraction. This changed when I went through a time of intense stress: I’m a person for whom stress goes to my stomach, and rapidly becomes nausea. I remembered this indication for peach leaf when I was having some strange bouts of evening nausea, so I started taking 5–10 drops of the tincture before getting into bed. The nausea subsided, and I was able to fall asleep, deeply relieved. Since then, peach leaf has become a primary herb in my formulations and a way that I continue to connect with plants that tended my ancestors.
Peach Indications
The main indications for using this herb are signs of irritation and heat, with accompanying dryness. There are a variety of ways this can present in different body systems, which we will go through below. If you are using tongue assessment, the classic signs are a red or pink tongue body that is elongated and pointed and appears dry.1
Remedy for Nausea
Eclectic herbalist John Milton Scudder said of peach leaf: “of all the remedies in the materia medica there are few, if any, so valuable in treating the irritation of the stomach and its complications as this one.”2 Indeed, peach leaf is a wonderful sedative herb for stomach and upper gastrointestinal upset that presents with heat and nausea. ‘Heat’ in this instance generally shows up as tenderness, pain or burning irritation. This can include heartburn, gastritis, bloating, or diarrhea (short transit time). Peach is particularly good for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, especially when ginger is too hot and actually becomes more irritating than soothing. Matthew Wood says that peach is specific for when there’s nausea during pregnancy and “you can’t bear the sight of food or even the smell of water.”3
As mentioned earlier, I love to use peach leaf when nervousness or anxiety creates a churning hot sort of nausea that needs to be cooled. It’s a great remedy for kids who get too wound up and vomit (as was the case for me as a child), or babies who are having a case of colic. For very young children, make sure to adjust dosing to just a fraction of adult dose. It’s also a lovely remedy for convalescence after a stomach flu, or when someone has had a significant bout of diarrhea and the GI tract needs soothing and toning again.
There is also some history of traditional use of a strong peach leaf decoction to be taken as a laxative to clear out intestinal worms.4 However, given the variety of plants generally available today, I would turn to stronger anthelmintics such as black walnut and bee balm, or a course of antibiotics to clear intestinal parasites.
Calming Allergies and Immune System Hyper-Sensitivity
Mathew Wood offers a very specific indication for peach leaf medicine: “Fair-skinned persons with tendencies to sunburn, irritation from mild heat, allergies and autoimmune over-activity, heat and irritation of the skin and mucosa.”5 I take this to not specifically mean that peach leaf is only for people with less melanated skin, but that it is a remedy for anyone with strong sensitivities to heat, whether that is environmental or pathogenic. Often a hyper-active immune system will present on the skin as urticaria (hives), pruritus (itchy skin), or eczema. From an autoimmune standpoint, this might look like psoriasis. In other body systems, immune system hyperactivity can look like chronic upper respiratory allergies and irritation (watery eyes, stuffy nose, itchy throat, dry cough), or food sensitivities (that are not true allergies). Peach acts as a gentle antispasmodic for the coughs, and an anti-inflammatory for the internal mucosal membranes of the respiratory and digestive tract.
I have used peach leaf tincture for seasonal allergies and hay fever, and excessive swelling from bug bites. A poultice of fresh leaves or compress of tincture can be applied to venomous bug bites to help reduce the swelling and pain.6,7 I have two other client case studies that feature peach leaf and allergic or hyperimmune response. One client had been suffering from chronic intractable urticaria and pruritus potentially stemming from a drug reaction or protozoal infection. Regardless of cause, the rash presented as extremely hot (both physically to the touch and energetically as red inflammation) and dry (flaking skin, no pus or exudate). They were also experiencing intense anxiety and stress that worsened the itching. I gave them peach leaf tincture in formulation with other cooling anti-inflammatories: baikal skullcap, self heal, and milky oats. They both enjoyed the taste of the peach leaf and found it to be soothing for their nervous system during acute flares of anxiety and itching.
Another client has been experiencing histamine excess reactions that lead to intense nausea and vomiting, with accompanying dizziness and thermal dysregulation. The histamine “attacks” usually happen at night. I gave her peach leaf to mix with her ginger tea in the evenings, as she generally runs cold and the ginger helps with peripheral circulation. Additionally, I gave her peach leaf tincture to take 5–10 drops at the onset of nausea in the night. After 2 weeks of this protocol, the severity of the attacks has reduced dramatically and while we are still working to find the root of the reactions, the partial symptom relief is a major improvement!
A Cooling, Soothing Nervine
Peach leaf really shines when you are feeling hot and bothered, and like a cool dip in some refreshing water would be the perfect remedy. In children, peach leaf can be a pleasant tasting addition to a formula for ADHD presentations, or general overexcitability.8 doses of peach leaf act as a sedative nervine, and so I find this to be a wonderful remedy for insomnia that is caused by racing thoughts and restlessness.
There are generally two presentations of insomnia or difficulty sleeping. Some folks are burnt out and depleted, feel cold and yet are ‘wired and tired’ and can’t bring themselves to rest. These are the people who need warming, nourishing tonics to build a sense of safety and warmth to sink into. On the other hand, some folks are robust in energy and can’t fall asleep because they are hot and tense and moving around so much that they can’t seem to calm down and fall asleep. These are the people who need bitter, cooling plant friends like peach leaf. I like combining it with blue vervain, california poppy, or passionflower along with skullcap or milky oats to round out the formula. Herbalist Kiva Rose offers this tincture formula for burnout and nervous exhaustion: “3 parts milky oats, 2 part peach leaf, 1 part rose flower, 1/2 part fresh ginger root and 1/4 part dried nettle seed. This is a nice smooth recipe to enhance mood, relax tension, calm the belly and cool excess heat.”9
Demulcent Tonic for Urinary Tract
Peach leaf is a soothing diuretic that can be part of a formula for urinary tract infections (presenting with blood or pus in urine), and bladder or urethral irritation. As with other uses, peach is most effective when there is dryness alongside the inflammation or irritation.
Energetic Ally for Moving Through Grief
It probably does not come as a surprise that most rose family plants have a relationship with grief support, since they are some of our closest heart-tenders. Peach is no exception. Grief moves through many phases and forms, without needing a linear process, and formulas for grief should adjust accordingly. At first, grief is often acutely hot and burning, accompanied by agitation, restlessness, and maybe some anger or frustration at the loss. Acute grief can visit again when we are reminded of loss and experience re-activation. Peach leaf is a wonderful cooling and soothing friend here, and herbalist Janet Kent recommends this beautiful tincture formula for acute grief: 4 parts hawthorn, 3 parts peach leaf, 2 parts motherwort, 2 parts kava, 1 part anemone/pulsatilla. Take 1–2 dropperfuls as needed.10 This of course, is not to say that peach can only be used in acute grief. I often use peach and hawthorn as a base for any grief formula and then add other aromatics, nervines, or tonics as needed.
Additional Uses
There are a few other uses of peach leaf that come from African medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine that feel important to mention, even if these are not the most popular contemporary Western uses.
In Working the Roots, Michelle Lee describes the use of peach leaf by African Americans for treating fevers, colds, sore throats, and upper respiratory congestion. She recommends a gargle of peach leaf tea for sore throats. Additionally, there is record of peach leaf being used alongside other herbs to treat “high sugar,” or what we would also call high blood sugar/insulin resistance.11
The dried then blanched or baked seeds/kernels from ripe peach pits is a common preparation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), wherein they are referred to as Tao Ren.12 In TCM, this medicine is used for moving Blood and stagnancy (mostly targeting dysmenorrhea or other menstrual irregularities that present with pain), moistening intestines, and relieving coughs.13 In TCM, cancerous masses are often associated with stagnation, peach pits have often been included in anti-cancer protocols. However, there is no conclusive clinical research to suggest that amygdalin — the phytochemical found in peach pits — actually promotes cancer cell apoptosis. Please read the Special Considerations section below to learn more about precautions with peach pits.
Constituents
Here are some of the main constituents present in peach:
- Cyanogenic glycosides – amygdalin, present mostly in the pits Oleic acid glycerides (pits), acetaldehydes (leaf, bark, pits)
- Polyphenols (Chlorogenic acid, Catechins, Epicatechins (fruit and leaf))
- Tannins (leaf and bark)
- Flavonols (Rutin and Isoquercetin) (fruit and leaf)14
Botanically Speaking
While those of us in the United States might associate peaches with the state of Georgia, they are actually a plant native to China. Cultivation records go back to at least 1100 BC. Peaches moved via trade routes to Persia (modern-day Iran) where Europeans encountered them and called them “Persian apples” and gave them the latin species name “persica.” The Romans are credited with cultivating European varieties and eventually peach trees were introduced to North America by Spanish colonists in the 16th century.15 Commercial scale peach production began in the U.S. south in the 1800s and continues to this day. China remains, however, the world’s leading producer of peaches.
Peach trees are relatively small deciduous trees that can reach up to 30 feet in height. The bright green leaves are smooth and lanceolate with serrate margins, and tend to curl in a bit on themselves. Flowers are typical of the rose family, with 5 petals and pinkish color, with a slight almond fragrance. The globular fruits are technically classified as a drupe, and ripen in July and August. Peaches have a single internal pit resembling the wrinkly structure of a walnut that when broken open reveals an inner seed (or kernel) that looks almost identical to an almond. Peaches are classified as “clingstone” or “freestone” depending on whether or not the fruit flesh sticks to, or separates from, the pit upon opening.16
Harvesting Peach Leaf, Twigs, and Bark
The twigs and bark are stronger than the leaves and should be harvested in spring or fall. Leaves can be harvested any time of year up until they begin to turn yellow in the fall.
Take care to collect only from trees that have not been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides.
Plant Preparations and Dosage Suggestions
I have offered a lot of formula combinations above, but it feels important to note that peach is one of those medicines that works really well taken by itself. It has a complexity that touches many body systems at once, and often small doses are all that is needed while larger doses do not increase the desired effects.
- Hot or Infusion: 1 oz leaf in 1 pint just-boiled water, steep 15 mins.
- Cold Infusion: 1 oz leaf in 1 pint cool water, steep overnight. If using bark, ½ oz per pint of water, dose is ¼ cup as needed.
- Tincture: leaf 40–50% alcohol, 1–3 ml up to 3x daily (however, for people who are sensitive to the nervine qualities, you may only need 5–30 drops of tincture to feel effects)
- Elixir or cordial: leaf with 75% brandy, 25% raw honey. Generally I make this folk medicine style, filling your jar half way with chopped plant material, then covering with alcohol and adding an equal volume of honey. This is my favorite preparation because the honey blends so beautifully with the bitter almond flavor of the leaves.
- Oxymel or Shrub of fruit and leaf: 50% apple cider vinegar + 50% raw honey.
- Poultice or compress of fresh leaves.
- Food: Eating the peach fruits fresh off the tree! I also love to make peach, tulsi basil, and cardamom jam annually. Simply boil down peach with a few sprigs of tulsi and a few cardamom pods and can via the method of your choosing.
A note on peach pit medicine: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the seeds of peach pits are generally used as part of a multi-herb formula, and there are folks using tincture of the pits within Western Herbalism practice as well. There are some safety concerns with peach pits, so please read the following section if you are interested in trying this medicine.
Special Considerations
While the fruit, leaves, twigs, and bark are generally safe for all populations, there are some important safety considerations with peach pits. All species in the Prunus genus have seeds, or kernels, in their pits which contain amygdalin in varying amounts. Amygdalin is metabolized (broken down) into glucose, benzaldehyde, and hydrogen cyanide (prussic acid). Benzaldehyde is actually the molecule used in bitter almond extract as the flavoring, but cyanide is the concern. Cyanide is a toxin in the human body, causing stomach upset, trouble breathing, and lowered blood pressure; and in severe cases organ damage and death.17 Peach seeds contain less amygdalin than apricots and plums, but still need to be prepared properly to avoid negative health effects.
Amygdalin is soluble in alcohol, so simply tincturing the pits raw is not advised, if there are cracks in the shells of the pits. Some herbalists do tincture the whole pits, but recommend only steeping them for about one week, rather than the standard month. If tincturing, use 40–50% alcohol, with a dosage of 2–12 drops up to 3x daily.18,19
Amygdalin does break down with heat though. So in order to safely prepare peach seeds, either roast at 300˚ F for 10-15 mins, or boil them for 15–30 mins first before proceeding with any preparation. Please note that even with proper care, peach seeds are contraindicated in pregnancy or lactation.20
A final safety note: because there is some shared protein chemistry, folks with almond allergies are often allergic to all parts of the peach tree as well.
Footnotes
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