Bitter Apricot Kernel Classic Formulas

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Stops coughing and calms wheezing — the most universally used single herb for cough and dyspnea in TCM; the bitter-descending action sends rebellious Lung Qi downward to stop cough; used in virtually all TCM cough formulas regardless of whether the pattern is Cold, Heat, Dry, or Damp
Disperses Lung Qi — both Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat exterior patterns affecting the Lung; combined with warming herbs for Wind-Cold cough, cooling herbs for Wind-Heat or Wind-Dryness cough; the neutral-to-slightly-warm temperature allows versatile pairing across patterns
Moistens the Intestines and moves bowels — Intestinal Dryness constipation from insufficient fluids or Lung Qi failing to descend; the rich oil content of the kernel lubricates the Large Intestine

Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang (麻杏石甘汤) — foundational Lung Heat formula for cough and wheezing with Heat signs; Ma Huang, Xing Ren, Shi Gao, and Gan Cao; Xing Ren descends the Lung Qi while Ma Huang opens the Lung; from Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing); remains a frontline formula for bronchitis and asthma in TCM
Sang Xing Tang (桑杏汤) — for Wind-Heat Dryness with fever, dry cough, and parched throat; Sang Ye, Xing Ren, Bei Sha Shen, Zhe Bei Mu, Dan Dou Chi, and Zhi Zi; the cooling-moistening companion to Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang; from Wen Bing Tiao Bian
Ma Zi Ren Wan (麻子仁丸) — for Intestinal Dryness constipation from Spleen constraint; Xing Ren, Ma Zi Ren, Bai Shao, Zhi Shi, Hou Po, and Da Huang; lubricating and moving formula for dry pellet-like stools; from Jin Gui Yao Lue
Xing Su San (杏苏散) — for cool-dry season Wind-Cold Dryness cough with slight chills; Xing Ren combined with Su Ye, Qian Hu, Jie Geng, Bei Mu, Fu Ling, Chen Pi, and Gan Cao

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing: lists Xing He (apricot kernel) in the lower grade — 'bitter, warm, slightly toxic; principal actions on cough with rebellious Qi, throat obstruction, and intestinal dryness; used with care due to toxicity at large doses'
Ben Cao Gang Mu (Li Shizhen): 'Xing Ren (杏仁) enters the Lung and Large Intestine — stops coughing, descends rebellious Lung Qi, disperses Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat, moistens the Intestines; slightly toxic from the amygdalin content — never use raw in large doses; cooking or processing eliminates most of the toxic HCN; the bitter kernel (Ku Xing Ren) is the TCM drug; the sweet kernel (Tian Xing Ren) is a food without the same descending-Qi medicinal strength'