Natural Oils & Butters · Carrier oil
Apricot Kernel Oil
Prunus armeniaca L. (kernel oil) · also called Apricot oil, apricot seed oil, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil. Not the same as the raw kernels.
Apricot kernel oil is a light plant oil pressed from the seed inside the apricot stone. It is used on skin and in massage. No human trial of the oil was found, only lab and animal work. The big warning is about raw apricot kernels, not the pressed oil: they hold amygdalin, which turns into cyanide, and have caused serious poisonings. Do not swallow cosmetic oil, and patch test it first.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot kernel oil is a pale, light oil from the seed (kernel) of Prunus armeniaca. It is a carrier and massage oil, not an essential oil. The research is small: no human trials, some animal and lab work. The key safety fact is that raw apricot kernels, not the pressed oil, can cause cyanide poisoning.
What it is
It is a fixed (fatty) oil pressed from the kernel, the seed inside the apricot stone, of Prunus armeniaca L. (GBIF accepts this name). The apricot fruit itself is not a risk when eaten normally, EFSA says.
A review reports mostly oleic acid (57.9 to 68.43%) and linoleic acid (22.82 to 30.4%), with small amounts of palmitic and stearic acid and tocopherols. A Moroccan bitter kernel oil sample had 62.5% oleic and 24.8% linoleic acid. Bitter kernels, which are the ones used for oil, hold far more cyanide-releasing compound than sweet ones.
How it is used
A review lists massage oil and cream, hair oil, lip balm, moisturising cream, soaps and scrubs, and use as a base oil for aromatherapy. Many body oils sold as "apricot" blend other oils or fragrance, so read the ingredient list for Prunus armeniaca kernel oil.
The review also describes edible use. This page gives no eating advice, and swallowing cosmetic-labelled oil is not advised.
What the research shows
No human study of the oil on skin was found in PubMed searches. The results we have come from animals and dishes. In rats, daily oil on skin improved wound and burn healing. In another rat study, swallowed oil raised the pain threshold after nerve injury. In dishes, the oil slowed several bacteria and fungi.
None of this shows a benefit in people. The antioxidant lab numbers in two papers differ by a large amount, so the oil's antioxidant strength is not a fixed fact.
Cosmetic versus food oil
Food and cosmetic oils are made and checked under different rules. The sources read do not say that cosmetic apricot kernel oil is tested for eating, or for cyanide. Cold-pressed, refined and solvent-extracted oil may differ, but no source compared them for safety.
Whether the oil clogs pores is also unproven: ratings online come from older lists. A small 2006 study found finished products that contain ingredients on such lists were not necessarily pore-clogging, and it did not name this oil.
"Vitamin B17" and laetrile
Amygdalin is sold as laetrile or "vitamin B17". NCI says "vitamin B-17" is not an approved vitamin name, there is no evidence it is needed for normal metabolism, and laetrile is not approved in the United States. Taking it by mouth carries much higher cyanide risk than injection because gut bacteria release the cyanide.
A 4-year-old with cancer developed severe cyanide poisoning after oral and intravenous "vitamin B 17" and kernels, and recovered after treatment.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Papers describe it as a traditional medicine and folk remedy, and a review says the oil is still used for backache and joint aches in some villages. These are statements in papers, not tests.
Studied for research
- Skin moisturising and massage use, insufficient (no human trial)
- Wound and burn healing (rats), insufficient
- Paw swelling and pain-type tests (animals), insufficient
- Nerve pain (rats, oil swallowed), insufficient
- Germ-slowing in lab dishes, insufficient
- Cancer claims about kernels and amygdalin (not the oil), against
Main compounds
- Oleic acid (omega-9), the main fat
- Linoleic acid (omega-6)
- Tocopherols (vitamin E type)
- Amygdalin, a kernel compound that releases cyanide (amount in finished oil is not settled)
Common forms
- Cold-pressed oil
- Refined oil
- Solvent-extracted oil (industrial)
- Body oils, massage oils and creams that contain it, often blended with other oils
Research links: EFSA: apricot kernels pose risk of cyanide poisoning · FDA: warning about toxic amygdalin in apricot seeds · NCI: Laetrile/Amygdalin (PDQ) · Review of apricot kernel oil, extraction and use (abstract) · Cochrane review: laetrile for cancer (abstract) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Prunus armeniaca
- Naming authority
- L.
- Common names
- Apricot kernel oil (English); Apricot oil (English); Prunus armeniaca kernel oil (English (label name))
- Family or group
- Rosaceae (the rose family; almond and peach are in the same genus)
- Classification
- Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Rosales > Rosaceae > Prunus > Prunus armeniaca
- Native range
- Not checked in the sources read.
- Habitat
- Not checked.
- What it looks like
- Roots: Not checked.; Stems: Not checked.; Leaves: Not checked.; Flowers: Not checked.; Fruit: The kernel is the seed inside the hard apricot stone; it is obtained by cracking the stone and has no contact with the fruit (EFSA).
- Cultivation
- Kernels are a by-product of apricot fruit. A review says kernels are sorted as sweet, semi-bitter or bitter; sweet ones are generally eaten and bitter ones used for oil.
- Harvest and processing
- Oil can be pressed mechanically (hydraulic press counts as cold-pressed; a screw press can warm the oil to 40 to 50 C), extracted with solvent, or made with newer methods such as supercritical CO2. Refining and roasting also exist.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Sweet almond oil; Note: From a related tree (Prunus dulcis). Also oleic-rich, but almond is a well-known nut allergen. No study compares the two oils.; Name: Raw apricot kernels; Note: The seed, not the oil. Contains amygdalin; poisoning risk.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not checked.
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional and folk medicine, as stated in papers | The 2026 rat study says kernels are largely used in traditional medicine. A review says that in some remote villages the oil is still used for backache and joint aches. | p42680125 |
| Cosmetic and food use, as stated in a review | Kernels are used worldwide for edible, cosmetic and medicinal purposes; the oil goes into massage oils, hair oil, lip balm, creams and soaps. | p36778095 |
| Regulation of kernels (EU and US) | EFSA gave its opinion on raw kernels in 2016; FDA issued a warning about high-amygdalin seed products in 2024. | s-efsa-news |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oleic acid PubChem 445639 | omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid | Kernel oil 57.9 to 68.43% of the fatty acids in the review; 62.5% in a Moroccan sample. | Main fat of the oil. 10 5 | Chemistry |
| Linoleic acid PubChem 5280450 | omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid | Kernel oil 22.82 to 30.4% in the review; 24.8% in a Moroccan sample. | Second main fat; makes the oil more prone to spoil. 10 5 | Chemistry |
| alpha-Tocopherol (vitamin E form) PubChem 14985 | tocopherol | Kernel oil The review lists tocopherols at 50.76 mg/100 g in one source; it names the family, not each form. | Vitamin E-type antioxidant. The review names tocopherols as a feature of the oil. 10 | Chemistry |
| Amygdalin PubChem 656516 | cyanogenic glycoside | Kernel (bitter kernels far more than sweet) Bitter kernels: 220.55 to 317.7 mg HCN per 100 g, versus 30.20 to 79.20 for sweet (review). Content in finished oil is not settled. | Releases cyanide when broken down by enzymes in the gut. 10 14 13 | Human data |
| Benzaldehyde PubChem 240 | aromatic aldehyde | Kernel Not read for the oil. | An aroma compound used in the aroma industry; also a breakdown product of laetrile (NCI). 10 14 | Chemistry |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyanide release from amygdalin | beta-glucosidase enzymes (gut bacteria, some plants) | Swallowed amygdalin is broken down by gut-bacteria enzymes to release cyanide, which is why swallowing is far riskier than injection. NCI also describes germ-free rats showing no side effects from oral amygdalin. 14 | Human data |
| Inflammation and oxidative stress in rat spinal cord | IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, malondialdehyde, thiols | Oil by mouth reduced these markers after a nerve injury in rats. The authors suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action. 1 | Animal research |
| Radical scavenging | n/a | Antioxidant activity in a DPPH test tube assay, with very different strengths in two papers. 7 6 | Laboratory research |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not described for the oil in the sources read.
- Distribution
- Not described.
- Metabolism
- Amygdalin is broken down to cyanide by gut enzymes (NCI).
- Elimination
- Not described.
- Bioavailability
- Not described.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
The raw kernel, kernel extract, laetrile, and the pressed oil are different products with different risks. Results or warnings for one cannot be carried to another. Cold-pressed, refined and solvent-extracted oil may also differ; no source compared them for safety.
Nutritional composition
Apricot kernel oil is a mostly monounsaturated oil. A review suggests it for edible use, but this page makes no eating advice, and swallowing cosmetic-labelled oil is not advised.
6 not enough evidence1 evidence against
What was looked at
The 7 benefits and uses checked for Apricot Kernel Oil, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Skin moisturising and massage useNot enough evidence
- Wound and burn healing (animal study)Not enough evidence
- Swelling and pain tests (animal study)Not enough evidence
- Nerve pain (rat study, oil swallowed)Not enough evidence
- Germ-killing tests in dishesNot enough evidence
- Antioxidant tests in the labNot enough evidence
- Cancer claims about kernels and amygdalin (not the oil)Evidence against
Lab markers tracked in the studies
Paw swelling after an irritant (animal test)Burn and wound healing (rat model)Lowest oil amount that stops bacterial growth (MIC, lab dish)Pain threshold after nerve injury (rats)
What is Apricot Kernel Oil good for?
What the research shows for each use, and how strong it is. For this oil it is all lab or animal work, so none of it shows a benefit in people. Read the Safety tab first.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Skin moisturising and massage use
Not enough evidenceThe oil is mostly oleic and linoleic fat and is sold as a light massage and skin oil. No human trial of the oil on skin, hair or in massage was found.
2 studiesCold-pressed, refined or solvent-extracted oil in body oils and cream…
Studies, doses and limits
Results
A review describes the oil as used in massage oil, hair oil, lip balm, moisturising cream and soaps. It does not report trials. Fatty acids reported there: oleic acid 57.9 to 68.43% and linoleic acid 22.82 to 30.4%.
Why this rating
No human study. Use rests on tradition and composition.
Form and dose studied
Cold-pressed, refined or solvent-extracted oil in body oils and creams. Amounts are not given here.
Who was studied
Not studied in people.
Limits
A list of ingredients in a cosmetic is not evidence of benefit.
Why researchers looked
Its fatty acids and vitamin E-type compounds make it an obvious carrier and body oil.
Traditional use
Papers call the oil a traditional medicine and list it in massage oils, creams, soaps and lip balm. A review says that in some remote villages it is still used for backache and joint aches. These are statements in papers, not tests.
Proposed mechanism Composition only
Suggested only by composition: the oil supplies oleic and linoleic fats and tocopherols. No source tested whether this changes the skin barrier.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not confuse the oil with raw apricot kernels, which can cause cyanide poisoning. Patch test first; skin reactions to this oil have not been studied.
Wound and burn healing (animal study)
Not enough evidenceIn one 2026 rat study, bitter kernel oil put on daily made wounds and burns heal faster. No human trial was found.
1 studiesBitter apricot kernel oil applied to skin in rats.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Daily topical bitter apricot kernel oil significantly improved wound and burn healing in a rat burn model. The abstract does not give numbers for healing.
Effect sizes as reported
No numbers for healing in the abstract.
Why this rating
Animal study only, abstract only.
Form and dose studied
Bitter apricot kernel oil applied to skin in rats.
Who was studied
Rats.
Limits
Animal model; one group; the number of animals is not in the abstract.
Why researchers looked
Traditional medicine uses of the oil.
Traditional use
Papers describe the oil as a folk remedy for skin problems.
Proposed mechanism Hypothesis
Not shown. The authors link the effect to the oil's fatty acids and phenols, which is a suggestion.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not put oil on open burns or wounds without asking a clinician. Animal results do not show the oil is safe or helpful on human wounds.
Swelling and pain tests (animal study)
Not enough evidenceIn the same 2026 animal paper, the oil cut paw swelling and pain-type writhing. This is lab-animal work.
1 studiesBitter apricot kernel oil; route for these two tests is not described…
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Analgesic protection rate 45.07% in the writhing test; paw swelling cut by 59.6% six hours after dosing versus control.
Effect sizes as reported
45.07% protection; 59.6% inhibition of swelling.
Why this rating
Animal tests only.
Form and dose studied
Bitter apricot kernel oil; route for these two tests is not described in the abstract.
Who was studied
Laboratory animals.
Limits
Animal tests do not show an effect in people; the route of dosing is not stated in the abstract.
Why researchers looked
Traditional use for aches.
Traditional use
A review says the oil is still used in some villages for backache and joint aches.
Proposed mechanism Hypothesis
Not shown. The authors only point to the oil's composition.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not swallow cosmetic-labelled oil as a remedy.
Nerve pain (rat study, oil swallowed)
Not enough evidenceIn rats with a nerve injury, swallowed oil raised the pain threshold, like the medicine gabapentin did. No human data.
1 studiesOil by mouth in rats.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Oil and gabapentin significantly raised the pain threshold and reduced spinal cord inflammation and oxidative stress markers over 14 days.
Effect sizes as reported
Not given in the abstract.
Why this rating
One animal study, abstract only.
Form and dose studied
Oil by mouth in rats.
Who was studied
Rats.
Limits
Animal study; swallowed oil is not a skin product.
Why researchers looked
The oil is known for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, say the authors.
Traditional use
No traditional use for nerve pain is described in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Animal biomarker
The authors suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action; spinal cord inflammation and oxidative stress markers fell. A suggestion, not proof of cause.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
The rats swallowed the oil. Do not swallow cosmetic-labelled oil as a remedy.
Germ-killing tests in dishes
Not enough evidenceBitter kernel oil slowed the growth of several bacteria and fungi in lab dishes. This does not show it treats infection.
2 studiesBitter apricot kernel oil in dishes.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
One paper: inhibition of E. coli, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus aureus, minimum inhibitory concentrations of 62.5 to 250 uL/mL, and slowing of several fungi. A second paper: strongest effect on two Gram-positive strains (MIC 100 uL/mL).
Effect sizes as reported
MIC 62.5 to 250 uL/mL (paper 1); 100 uL/mL (paper 2).
Why this rating
Two lab papers, no animal or human tests.
Form and dose studied
Bitter apricot kernel oil in dishes.
Who was studied
Microbes.
Limits
Dish concentrations are not what reaches skin or blood.
Why researchers looked
Interest in natural antimicrobials.
Traditional use
Papers describe the oil as used in folk remedies for skin infections. This is not tested in people.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Not described beyond the oil's chemical mix.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Lab germ tests do not make the oil a treatment for infection. See a clinician for skin infections.
Antioxidant tests in the lab
Not enough evidenceLab tests found antioxidant activity, but two papers gave very different strengths. It is a chemistry result, not a health result.
2 studiesBitter apricot kernel oil.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
DPPH IC50 was 90.44 ug/mL in one paper and 6640 ug/mL in another (a lower number means a stronger effect in this test). The papers used different oils and methods.
Effect sizes as reported
IC50 90.44 versus 6640 ug/mL.
Why this rating
Chemistry tests only; results vary widely.
Form and dose studied
Bitter apricot kernel oil.
Who was studied
Test tube.
Limits
Test-tube antioxidant scores do not predict effects in the body.
Why researchers looked
The oil holds tocopherols and phenols.
Traditional use
No traditional use is described in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Free-radical scavenging in a test tube (DPPH).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
A high lab antioxidant score does not make an oil safer or better for skin.
Cancer claims about kernels and amygdalin (not the oil)
Evidence againstNo trial shows laetrile or amygdalin helps cancer, and swallowing them can cause cyanide poisoning. This concerns kernels and amygdalin, not skin oil.
3 studiesLaetrile, amygdalin and raw kernels. Not the pressed skin oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
The 2015 Cochrane review found no trials that met its criteria.
Results
Claims that laetrile or amygdalin help cancer patients are not supported by sound clinical data (Cochrane). NCI says laetrile is not approved in the United States.
Why this rating
A systematic review found no supporting trials and serious harm risk.
Form and dose studied
Laetrile, amygdalin and raw kernels. Not the pressed skin oil.
Who was studied
People with cancer.
Limits
Review ends in 2015; NCI notes the research is no longer being updated.
Why researchers looked
Sellers promote raw kernels as a cancer-fighting food, according to EFSA.
Traditional use
Raw kernels and amygdalin (sold as laetrile or "vitamin B17") have been promoted as cancer remedies.
Proposed mechanism Human toxicology
Amygdalin releases cyanide in the gut. Cyanide, not a nutrient effect, is the known action.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
This claim is about kernels and amygdalin, not the cosmetic oil. The Cochrane reviewers call the risk-benefit balance unambiguously negative, with serious cyanide poisoning risk especially when swallowed.
Connections to the rest of health
How Apricot Kernel Oil connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Skin | Traditional use | Not enough evidence | Skin moisturising and massage use: The oil is mostly oleic and linoleic fat and is sold as a light massage and skin oil. No human trial of the oil on skin, hair or in massage was found. | 10 2 |
| Healthy Skin | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Wound and burn healing (animal study): In one 2026 rat study, bitter kernel oil put on daily made wounds and burns heal faster. No human trial was found. | 5 |
| Pain Relief | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Swelling and pain tests (animal study): In the same 2026 animal paper, the oil cut paw swelling and pain-type writhing. This is lab-animal work. Nerve pain (rat study, oil swallowed): In rats with a nerve injury, swallowed oil raised the pain threshold, like the medicine gabapentin did. No human data. | 5 1 |
| Immune Support | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Germ-killing tests in dishes: Bitter kernel oil slowed the growth of several bacteria and fungi in lab dishes. This does not show it treats infection. | 7 6 |
| Healthy Aging | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Antioxidant tests in the lab: Lab tests found antioxidant activity, but two papers gave very different strengths. It is a chemistry result, not a health result. | 7 6 |
| Cancer Support | Evidence against | Cancer claims about kernels and amygdalin (not the oil): No trial shows laetrile or amygdalin helps cancer, and swallowing them can cause cyanide poisoning. This concerns kernels and amygdalin, not skin oil. | 9 14 13 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Hair Beauty | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Skin moisturising and massage use Studied for: Wound and burn healing (animal study) | 10 2 5 7 6 |
| Musculoskeletal System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Swelling and pain tests (animal study) | 5 |
| Nervous System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Nerve pain (rat study, oil swallowed) | 1 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Germ-killing tests in dishes Studied for: Cancer claims about kernels and amygdalin (not the oil) | 7 6 9 14 13 |
C. Body parts and organs
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin | Adverse effect or risk | Not enough evidence | No report of skin reactions found; not studied. Preparation or compound: Kernel oil on skin |
|
| Whole body (cyanide poisoning) | Adverse effect or risk | Moderate certainty | Case reports and regulator warnings. Preparation or compound: Raw kernels and kernel extracts (not the oil) |
12 3 15 |
| Skin | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Rat wound and burn study only; no human trial. Preparation or compound: Kernel oil applied to skin |
5 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paw swelling after an irritant (animal test) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 5 |
| Burn and wound healing (rat model) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: improved. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 5 |
| Lowest oil amount that stops bacterial growth (MIC, lab dish) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 7 6 |
| Pain threshold after nerve injury (rats) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: improved. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 1 |
J. Genes, receptors and enzymes
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta-glucosidase (enzyme activity of gut bacteria) | Preliminary mechanism | Human | Releases cyanide from amygdalin in the gut. | 14 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oleic acid | Biological association | Chemistry | Main fat of the oil. Preparation or compound: Kernel oil |
10 5 |
| Linoleic acid | Biological association | Chemistry | Second main fat; makes the oil more prone to spoil. Preparation or compound: Kernel oil |
10 5 |
| alpha-Tocopherol (vitamin E form) | Biological association | Chemistry | Vitamin E-type antioxidant. The review names tocopherols as a feature of the oil. Preparation or compound: Kernel oil |
10 |
| Amygdalin | Biological association | Human | Releases cyanide when broken down by enzymes in the gut. Preparation or compound: Kernel (bitter kernels far more than sweet) |
10 14 13 |
| Benzaldehyde | Biological association | Chemistry | An aroma compound used in the aroma industry; also a breakdown product of laetrile (NCI). Preparation or compound: Kernel |
10 14 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 2 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Apricot Kernel Oil. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read PubMed abstracts of 12 papers, the open full text of one review, and the EFSA news story, FDA alert and NCI PDQ summary in full. We checked the plant name in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy and compounds in PubChem. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. Funding is not stated in most abstracts. No study is cited that we could not verify.
Study library: every study we checked 16
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akaberi 2024 Analgesic effect of apricot kernel oil on neuropathic pain in rats. Heliyon · PMID 39170485 |
Animal research animal |
Rats with nerve injury (chronic constriction injury) | Apricot kernel oil given by mouth versus gabapentin kernel oil Animal doses are in the paper; not given here 14 days |
The oil and gabapentin significantly raised the pain threshold that nerve injury had lowered, and reduced spinal cord changes in inflammation and oxidative stress markers. The main compounds found were lipids and fatty acids. Animal result only. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Pain thresholds, spinal cord inflammation and oxidative stress markers Limitations: Rat study, oil swallowed (not a skin route). The authors only suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Akhone 2022 Apricot Kernel: Bioactivity, Characterization, Applications, and Health Attributes. Foods · PMID 35892769 |
Narrative review n/a |
n/a (review of kernels) | Apricot kernel and extracts kernel Not given here |
The review says kernels are a by-product of apricot fruit, rich in protein, vitamins and carbohydrates, with uses in food, cosmetics and medicine. It says kernels "may help to fight against" cancer and blood pressure, which it does not back with human trial data in the abstract. Descriptive review. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Composition, uses, claimed health effects Limitations: Abstract only. The health claims are not tested in the review and should not be taken as results. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Dalkıran 2020 Role of Hemodialysis in the Management of Cyanide Intoxication From Apricot Kernels in a 3-Year-Old Child. Pediatr Emerg Care · PMID 30399062 |
Case report |
1 A 3-year-old girl |
Three apricot kernels, eaten raw kernels Not given here |
After eating 3 kernels she had trouble breathing and fell into a coma after convulsions, with severe metabolic acidosis. Blood cyanide was 3.15 mg/L three hours after eating. She survived with antidote treatment and hemodialysis. One case. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Symptoms, blood cyanide, recovery Limitations: One case report; kernels, not oil. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Draelos 2006 A re-evaluation of the comedogenicity concept. J Am Acad Dermatol · PMID 16488305 |
Human small |
6 Six people prone to blackheads on the upper back |
Finished cosmetic products containing ingredients on "comedogenic" lists (apricot kernel oil not named in the abstract) finished products Patches 3 times a week 4 weeks |
The abstract concludes that finished products using ingredients rated comedogenic are not necessarily comedogenic. Not specific to apricot kernel oil. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Follicle and microcomedone counts by skin biopsy Limitations: Six people. Apricot kernel oil is not named in the abstract; included only because pore-clogging lists are often applied to oils. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| El Hajjaji 2026 Pharmacological evaluation of bitter apricot kernels oil: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and wound-healing effects. J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 42680125 |
Animal research animal |
Laboratory animals (rat burn model named; paw swelling and writhing tests) | Bitter apricot kernel oil, topical for wounds and burns; the swelling and writhing tests are not described as topical kernel oil Not given here |
Main fatty acids were oleic acid (62.5%) and linoleic acid (24.8%). The oil showed an analgesic protection rate of 45.07% and cut paw swelling by 59.6% six hours after dosing compared with control. Daily topical use significantly improved healing of wounds and burns (faster tissue healing). Animal model results only. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Paw swelling, writhing, wound and burn healing Limitations: Animal study; the number of animals is not in the abstract. Results do not show the same effect in people. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| El Hajjaji 2026 Mineral Composition, Physicochemical Characteristics, and Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Oil Extracted From Moroccan Bitter Apricot Kernels. Scientifica (Cairo) · PMID 41568325 |
Laboratory research in-vitro |
One Moroccan bitter kernel oil sample, lab tests | Bitter apricot kernel oil kernel oil Not given here |
Peroxide value (a spoilage marker) was 0.98 meq O2/kg of oil. Total phenolics were 41 mg GAE/100 g of oil. DPPH IC50 was 6640 ug/mL. The strongest antibacterial effect was on two Gram-positive strains (MIC 100 uL/mL). Lab results only. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Oil quality measures, antioxidant tests, antibacterial tests Limitations: One oil sample. The DPPH value is very different from the other lab paper (IC50 90.44 ug/mL), so antioxidant strength cannot be taken as a fixed property of the oil. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Hamid 2024 Unlocking the Therapeutic and Antimicrobial Potential of Prunus armeniaca L. Seed Kernel Oil. Int J Food Sci · PMID 39544277 |
Laboratory research in-vitro |
Bacteria, fungi and Leishmania parasites in lab dishes | Bitter apricot seed kernel oil (BASKO) kernel oil Not given here |
DPPH antioxidant test: 89.5% inhibition at 1000 ug/mL, IC50 90.44 ug/mL. The oil inhibited growth of E. coli (20.3 mm zone), Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus (25 mm). Minimum inhibitory concentration was 62.5 uL/mL for E. coli and 250 uL/mL for four other bacteria. It also slowed several fungi and a Leishmania test. Lab results only. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Antioxidant tests, growth of microbes Limitations: Dish tests. They do not show that the oil treats infection on skin or in the body. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Konstantatos 2017 An unusual presentation of chronic cyanide toxicity from self-prescribed apricot kernel extract. BMJ Case Rep · PMID 28893740 |
Case report |
1 A 67-year-old man |
Daily self-prescribed apricot kernel extract for 5 years kernel extract Not given here |
He looked hypoxic on a finger oxygen monitor during routine anaesthesia. He later said he had taken apricot kernel extract daily for five years. Cyanide toxicity was confirmed by blood tests, and readings returned to normal after he stopped. One case. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Oxygen readings under anaesthesia, blood cyanide Limitations: One case report; kernel extract, not oil. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Milazzo 2015 Laetrile treatment for cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 25918920 |
Systematic review |
0 People with cancer |
Laetrile or amygdalin semi-synthetic compound / kernel glycoside Not given here |
No studies met the inclusion criteria (randomised or quasi-randomised trials). The reviewers say claims that laetrile or amygdalin help cancer patients are not supported by sound clinical data. There is considerable risk of serious cyanide poisoning, especially after swallowing it, and they call the risk-benefit balance unambiguously negative. No trial data; the claim is not supported. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Anti-cancer effect and adverse effects Limitations: About laetrile and amygdalin, not about the pressed oil. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Pawar 2023 Apricot kernel characterization, oil extraction, and its utilization: a review. Food Sci Biotechnol · PMID 36778095 |
Narrative review n/a |
n/a (review of kernels and oil) | Apricot kernel oil (many extraction methods) kernel oil Not given here |
Abstract: kernels are used for edible, cosmetic and medicinal purposes; the oil is valued for unsaturated fat, a high share of oleic acid, phenols and tocopherol. Full text (open PMC copy) was also read: oleic acid 57.9 to 68.43% and linoleic acid 22.82 to 30.4%; bitter kernels hold up to 54.21% oil; kernels used for oil are mostly bitter; bitter kernels hold far more cyanide-releasing compound than sweet ones; oil extracted with solvent is described as free from HCN; "amygdalin content up to 5 mg/kg in bitter apricot oil is considered as safe" is quoted from another paper; the oil is listed in massage oil, hair oil, lip balm, creams and soaps, and as a base oil for aromatherapy. Descriptive review. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Composition, extraction, uses, detoxification of kernels Limitations: A narrative review; it repeats other papers' statements, and its safety figures were not checked against the original papers. It does not report skin trials. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract+full-text |
| Sauer 2015 Severe cyanide poisoning from an alternative medicine treatment with amygdalin and apricot kernels in a 4-year-old child. Wien Med Wochenschr · PMID 25605411 |
Case report |
1 A 4-year-old boy with metastatic ependymoma |
Oral and intravenous "vitamin B 17" (amygdalin) plus oral apricot kernel kernels and amygdalin Not given here |
He arrived agitated and unresponsive (Glasgow Coma Scale 3) with severe lactic acidosis. Serum cyanide was markedly elevated. After sodium thiosulfate he recovered completely without further intensive care. One case. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Condition on arrival, blood cyanide, recovery Limitations: One case report; the child also received injected amygdalin, so the kernels were not the only source. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Suchard 1998 Acute cyanide toxicity caused by apricot kernel ingestion. Ann Emerg Med · PMID 9832674 |
Case report |
1 A 41-year-old woman |
Apricot kernels bought at a health food store, eaten raw kernels Not given here |
She became weak and short of breath within 20 minutes and arrived comatose and hypothermic. She responded promptly to antidote treatment for cyanide poisoning and later needed a thiosulfate infusion for persistent metabolic acidosis. The authors call it the first reported US case since 1979. One case. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Symptoms, response to cyanide antidote treatment Limitations: One case report; kernels, not oil. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| n/a 2016 EFSA news story: Apricot kernels pose risk of cyanide poisoning (27 April 2016) n/a · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
n/a | n/a Not given here |
Amygdalin in apricot kernels turns into cyanide after eating. EFSA set a one-off safe level (acute reference dose) of 20 micrograms per kg of body weight. It estimates that eating more than three small raw kernels, or less than half of one large kernel, in a serving can exceed that level for adults, and that a toddler can be over it with one small kernel. Normal consumption of the apricot fruit is not a risk. Sellers promote kernels as a cancer-fighting food. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safe level for a one-off intake of cyanide from raw apricot kernels Limitations: A news story about the opinion. The full opinion (EFSA Journal 2016;14(4):4424) was not read. It is about raw kernels, not about pressed oil. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2022 NCI: Laetrile/Amygdalin (PDQ), health professional version n/a · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
n/a | n/a Not given here |
Cyanide poisoning is much more common when laetrile is taken by mouth, because gut bacteria and some commonly eaten plants contain enzymes (beta-glucosidases) that release cyanide. Little breakdown happens when it is injected. "Vitamin B-17" is not an approved vitamin name, and there is no evidence laetrile is needed for normal metabolism. Laetrile is not approved for use in the United States; its toxicity mirrors cyanide poisoning, including liver damage, nerve damage causing trouble walking, fever, coma and death. The summary is no longer being updated. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: What laetrile and amygdalin are, how cyanide is released, status in the United States Limitations: About laetrile and amygdalin as cancer products, not about the cosmetic oil. Last updated 14 June 2022. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2024 FDA: FDA issues warning about toxic amygdalin found in apricot seeds (24 May 2024) n/a · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
n/a | n/a Not given here |
FDA found high amygdalin in three bitter apricot seed products, which could lead to fatal cyanide toxicity. It lists mild to moderate symptoms (difficulty breathing, bluish skin or lips, weakness, lightheadedness) and severe ones (coma, seizures, stupor, heart rhythm problems, collapse, metabolic acidosis). Long-term intake of high cyanogenic glycosides can cause nerve problems. It advises people to stop using the products, to contact a health care provider, and to call 9-1-1 or a poison control centre for serious effects. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety alert about three bitter apricot seed products Limitations: A regulator alert about seed products, not about pressed oil. Content current as of 24 May 2024. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Prunus armeniaca L. (species match API) n/a · Source |
Database record n/a |
n/a | n/a Not given here |
Prunus armeniaca L. is ACCEPTED, family Rosaceae, order Rosales (GBIF key 7818643). NCBI Taxonomy id 36596. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Accepted name and classification Limitations: Taxonomy only. Retrieved 2026-10-25 through the GBIF and NCBI APIs. Read: database |
What we do not know yet
- What the evidence supports: insufficient for every use of the oil (animal and lab work only); against for cancer claims about kernels and amygdalin.
- No human trial on skin, hair, scars or massage.
- No test of cyanide or amygdalin in commercial skin oils, and no regulator statement on the oil itself.
- No data on skin reactions, nut or stone-fruit cross-allergy, pregnancy, babies, pets or drug interactions for the oil.
- The full EFSA opinion, EMA, LiverTox and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review were not read.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any rating or safety wording.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 4
Paw swelling after an irritant (animal test)
Lowered in trials
A standard animal test of anti-inflammatory action: how much a paw swells after an irritant.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Used to screen substances for anti-inflammatory activity.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Animal screening result; not a human outcome.
Safety implication
None reported in the abstract.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Swelling was inhibited by 59.6% six hours after dosing compared with control. | Laboratory animals | Bitter apricot kernel oil |
Burn and wound healing (rat model)
Improved in trials
How quickly damaged skin tissue heals.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Shows whether a substance changes healing in an animal model.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Animal result only.
Safety implication
None reported in the abstract.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Significantly increased healing of wounds and burns with daily topical oil. Numbers not in the abstract. | Rats | Bitter apricot kernel oil on skin |
Lowest oil amount that stops bacterial growth (MIC, lab dish)
Lowered in trials
The smallest amount of a substance that stops visible growth of a microbe in a dish.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
A first screen for germ-slowing action.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Lab dish values; not a clinical outcome.
Safety implication
None reported.
Pain threshold after nerve injury (rats)
Improved in trials
How strong a touch, heat or cold the animal tolerates before pulling away.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Standard animal test of nerve pain.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Animal result only.
Safety implication
Not reported in the abstract.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oil and gabapentin significantly raised thresholds that nerve injury had lowered. | Rats with nerve injury | Apricot kernel oil by mouth, 14 days |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 6
- Raw apricot kernels are not the pressed oil, and they are dangerous. Apricot kernels contain amygdalin, which turns into cyanide after eating. EFSA estimates that eating more than three small raw kernels, or less than half of one large kernel, in a serving can exceed its safe one-off level for adults, and that one small kernel can do so for a toddler. FDA warned in May 2024 about bitter apricot seed products with high amygdalin that could lead to fatal cyanide toxicity. Case reports describe a woman who arrived in a coma, a 3-year-old who fell into a coma after eating 3 kernels, and a man with chronic cyanide poisoning after five years of daily kernel extract. Authoritative guidance 13 15 12 3 8
- Is there cyanide in the oil? The sources read do not settle it. A 2023 review says oil extracted with solvent is free from HCN and quotes another paper that regards amygdalin up to 5 mg/kg in bitter apricot oil as safe. It also lists a study comparing cold pressing and supercritical CO2 for recovering amygdalin from the oil, which suggests pressed oil can carry some amygdalin. No regulator statement on the oil itself was found, and no test of commercial skin oils for cyanide was found. Do not swallow cosmetic-labelled oil. Narrative review 10
- Cosmetic oil and food oil are not the same product. The review describes apricot kernel oil as used for edible, cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Food and cosmetic products have different rules and testing. A bottle sold for skin has not been shown in the sources read to be checked for swallowing. Look for the Latin name (Prunus armeniaca kernel oil) and keep it away from children's mouths. Narrative review 10
- Nut and stone-fruit allergy: not studied for this oil. No source read reports how often apricot kernel oil causes skin or allergic reactions, or whether it cross-reacts with almond, peach or other tree-nut or stone-fruit allergy. Because that is unknown, ask an allergist if you have such an allergy and do a small skin patch test first. Insufficient
- "Vitamin B17" and laetrile are not vitamins and not a cancer treatment. NCI says "vitamin B-17" is not an approved vitamin name and there is no evidence laetrile is needed for normal metabolism. The Cochrane review found no eligible trials, said the claims are not supported, and called the risk-benefit balance unambiguously negative. Cyanide poisoning is much more common when taken by mouth. Systematic review 14 9 11
- Oils go off. Oils rich in unsaturated fat can turn rancid. One Moroccan bitter kernel oil sample had a peroxide value of 0.98 meq O2/kg when tested. The sources read give no shelf life for apricot kernel oil. If it smells different from when you bought it, throw it away. Product analysis 6 10
Side effects 3
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyanide poisoning from eating kernels: weakness, trouble breathing, bluish skin, lightheadedness, and in severe cases coma, seizures, collapse and death From kernels and amygdalin products, not from skin use of the oil. | Not known; case reports and regulator warnings | severe, can be fatal The reported patients recovered with antidote treatment | Case report 12 11 3 15 13 |
| Chronic cyanide exposure from long-term kernel extract (an unusual oxygen-monitor reading in one man; FDA also lists nerve problems with long-term high intake of cyanogenic foods) Kernel extract, not oil. | Not known; one case report | moderate to severe Readings returned to normal after stopping in the one case | Case report 8 15 |
| Skin reactions or allergy to the oil Absence of reports is not proof of safety. | Not known; no report found | not known Not known | Insufficient |
Liver
No source read describes liver injury from apricot kernel oil. NCI lists liver damage among the toxic effects of laetrile, which mirror cyanide poisoning. LiverTox was not searched for this page. 14
How often. Not known.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Apricot Kernel Oil supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 2
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foods and gut bacteria that carry beta-glucosidase enzymes (with swallowed amygdalin or kernels) food | Enzymes in gut bacteria and some commonly eaten plants release cyanide from amygdalin. This is why swallowing is far riskier than injection. | Relevant to kernels and laetrile, not to skin oil. | Authoritative guidance Moderate certainty 14 | Do not eat raw kernels or kernel extracts. |
| Prescription and over-the-counter medicines (oil on skin) prescription | No interaction was described in the sources read. | None documented. | Insufficient Not enough evidence | Tell your pharmacist you use it, as for any product. |
Who should check first 6
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Eating raw kernels, kernel extracts, "vitamin B17" or laetrile | Avoid. See the FDA and EFSA statements. | Authoritative guidance 13 15 14 |
| Swallowing cosmetic-labelled apricot kernel oil | Do not. It is not shown to be tested for eating, and cyanide in the oil is not settled. | Narrative review 10 |
| Tree-nut, almond, peach or other stone-fruit allergy, or an earlier reaction to a body oil | Ask an allergist first. Test a small skin patch and stop if there is redness, itching or swelling. | Insufficient |
| Children and babies | Keep kernels and the oil out of reach. Three kernels caused coma in a 3-year-old, and EFSA says one small kernel can pass a toddler's safe level. Ask a clinician before using the oil on baby skin. | Case report 3 13 |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | Not described for the oil in the sources read. Ask a doctor or pharmacist. | Insufficient |
| Open wounds, burns or broken skin | Not tested in people. Ask a clinician before putting any oil on them. | Insufficient 5 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. The poison is amygdalin in the kernel, not a fatty acid in the oil. Bitter kernels hold far more cyanide-releasing compound than sweet ones, according to a review. EFSA says studies indicate 0.5 to 3.5 mg of cyanide per kg of body weight can be lethal.
Animal. Not reviewed.
Human doses studied. No trial. Poisoning is documented only in case reports of kernels and extracts.
High dose or long term signals. Chronic kernel extract use for five years caused a toxic cyanide level in one man.
Overdose response. Hospital antidote treatment for cyanide poisoning, as described in the case reports. This is for clinicians.
Genotoxicity. Not read.
Toxic or hazardous parts. Kernels (seeds inside the stone) are the toxic part; EFSA says the apricot fruit itself is not a risk when eaten normally.
Quality depends on the kernel type, how the oil is made and how it is stored. No study tested commercial skin oils for cyanide or pesticides.
Cyanide and extraction method. A review says oil extracted with solvent is free from HCN, and quotes a source that regards amygdalin up to 5 mg/kg in bitter apricot oil as safe. The review does not say what pressed commercial oils hold. 10
Spoilage. One Moroccan sample had a peroxide value of 0.98 meq O2/kg. No shelf life is given. 6
Kernel products sold online. FDA found high amygdalin in three bitter apricot seed products in 2024, and the firm declined a recall as of 24 May 2024. 15
Blends and labels. Label-reading advice, not a studied finding: body oils called "apricot" may mix other oils or fragrance, so read the ingredient list for Prunus armeniaca kernel oil.
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (EU) | 2016 scientific opinion on raw apricot kernels and products from them. Set a one-off safe level of 20 micrograms per kg of body weight; says more than three small raw kernels, or less than half of one large kernel, in a serving can exceed it for adults, and one small kernel for a toddler. Notes sellers promote kernels as cancer-fighting. source | 2016-04-27 |
| US Food and Drug Administration (United States) | 24 May 2024 warning to stop using and dispose of three bitter apricot seed products with high amygdalin, and to contact a health care provider if used. source | 2024-05-24 |
| US National Cancer Institute (PDQ) (United States) | Laetrile is not approved for use in the United States. "Vitamin B-17" is not an approved vitamin designation. Summary is no longer being updated. source | 2022-06-14 |
When to get medical help
- Someone has swallowed apricot kernels or a kernel product and has trouble breathing, bluish lips or skin, confusion, fainting or a seizure: call emergency services or a poison centre now.
- A child has swallowed any kernels or a mouthful of the oil: call a poison centre or emergency services even if they seem well.
- Swelling of the lips, tongue or face, wheezing or hives after using the oil: get emergency help. Spreading rash or blistering on skin: stop and get medical advice.
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is apricot kernel oil the same as eating apricot kernels?
Are raw apricot kernels dangerous?
Does the oil contain cyanide?
The sources read disagree or are silent. A 2023 review says oil extracted with solvent is free from HCN and quotes another paper that regards amygdalin up to 5 mg/kg in bitter apricot oil as safe. No regulator statement or test of commercial skin oils was found.
Is it the same as vitamin B17 or laetrile?
No. Laetrile is made from or related to amygdalin. NCI says "vitamin B-17" is not an approved vitamin and laetrile is not approved in the United States. The oil is a different product.
Does apricot kernel oil help skin?
No human trial of the oil on skin was found. It is used because it is mostly oleic and linoleic fat, but that is a description of the oil, not a result in skin.
Does it heal wounds or burns?
Only a rat study shows faster healing. No human trial was found. Ask a clinician before putting any oil on a burn or open wound.
Is it a good treatment for cancer?
Can I be allergic to it, especially with a nut allergy?
Possible, but no source read reports how often this oil causes reactions or whether it cross-reacts with almond, peach or tree-nut allergy. Ask an allergist if you have such an allergy and do a small skin patch test first.
Will it clog my pores?
Not proven either way for this oil. Online ratings come from older lists. A small 2006 study of six people found that finished products with such ingredients were not necessarily pore-clogging, and it did not name this oil.
What is the difference between cosmetic and food-grade oil?
They are made and checked under different rules. The sources read do not show that cosmetic apricot kernel oil is checked for eating. Look for the Latin name on the label and do not swallow cosmetic oil.
Is it safe in pregnancy, for babies or for pets?
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We read PubMed abstracts of 12 papers, the open full text of one review, and the EFSA news story, FDA alert and NCI PDQ summary in full. We checked the plant name in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy and compounds in PubChem. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. Funding is not stated in most abstracts. No study is cited that we could not verify.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.
Sources 16
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Akaberi M, Forouzanfar F, Rakhshandeh H et al. Analgesic effect of apricot kernel oil on neuropathic pain in rats.. Heliyon. 2024. PMID 39170485. (abstract)
- Akhone MA, Bains A, Tosif MM et al. Apricot Kernel: Bioactivity, Characterization, Applications, and Health Attributes.. Foods. 2022. PMID 35892769. (abstract)
- Dalkıran T, Kandur Y, Ozaslan M et al. Role of Hemodialysis in the Management of Cyanide Intoxication From Apricot Kernels in a 3-Year-Old Child.. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2020. PMID 30399062. (abstract)
- Draelos ZD, DiNardo JC. A re-evaluation of the comedogenicity concept.. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006. PMID 16488305. (abstract)
- El Hajjaji MA, Fikri-Benbrahim K, Solo N et al. Pharmacological evaluation of bitter apricot kernels oil: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and wound-healing effects.. J Ethnopharmacol. 2026. PMID 42680125. (abstract)
- El Hajjaji MA, Fikri-Benbrahim K, Soulo N et al. Mineral Composition, Physicochemical Characteristics, and Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Oil Extracted From Moroccan Bitter Apricot Kernels.. Scientifica (Cairo). 2026. PMID 41568325. (abstract)
- Hamid Z, Akbar A, Kamran K et al. Unlocking the Therapeutic and Antimicrobial Potential of Prunus armeniaca L. Seed Kernel Oil.. Int J Food Sci. 2024. PMID 39544277. (abstract)
- Konstantatos A, Shiv Kumar M, Burrell A et al. An unusual presentation of chronic cyanide toxicity from self-prescribed apricot kernel extract.. BMJ Case Rep. 2017. PMID 28893740. (abstract)
- Milazzo S, Horneber M. Laetrile treatment for cancer.. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015. PMID 25918920. (abstract)
- Pawar KR, Nema PK. Apricot kernel characterization, oil extraction, and its utilization: a review.. Food Sci Biotechnol. 2023. PMID 36778095. (abstract+full-text)
- Sauer H, Wollny C, Oster I et al. Severe cyanide poisoning from an alternative medicine treatment with amygdalin and apricot kernels in a 4-year-old child.. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2015. PMID 25605411. (abstract)
- Suchard JR, Wallace KL, Gerkin RD. Acute cyanide toxicity caused by apricot kernel ingestion.. Ann Emerg Med. 1998. PMID 9832674. (abstract)
- n/a. EFSA news story: Apricot kernels pose risk of cyanide poisoning (27 April 2016). n/a. 2016. (full-text)
- n/a. NCI: Laetrile/Amygdalin (PDQ), health professional version. n/a. 2022. (full-text)
- n/a. FDA: FDA issues warning about toxic amygdalin found in apricot seeds (24 May 2024). n/a. 2024. (full-text)
- n/a. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Prunus armeniaca L. (species match API). n/a. 2026. (database)
