You may have heard about “laetrile” and how it can potentially help heal cancer, including breast cancer. Laetrile is the commercial label for apricot kernels (it also goes by name amygdalin or vitamin B17). You may have also heard about some possible dangers as well.
Unfortunately, “vitamin B17” is yet another natural substance that has fallen victim to misinformation and bad press. The truth is, apricot kernels have been consumed for their nutritional and healing properties for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years, especially in the cool, arid areas where apricot trees naturally grow.
What the Hunzas Knew About Apricot Kernels
In the 1930s, Major Sir Robert McCarrison wrote about a tribe called the Hunzas who lived in the remote countryside near Northern Pakistan. He encountered this hardy community while he was working with the Indian Medical Service. According McCarrison’s written observations, the Hunzas seemed to enjoyed near-perfect health. Some lived to be over 135 years old and no one in their clan had any of the conditions so common in the modern world, such as diabetes, obesity, heart attack, and cancer.
Then, twenty years later, Dr. Ernest Krebs, a biochemist with a desire to understand what makes cancer cells work, discovered McCarrison’s writing about apricot kernels. Krebs also began studying the lifestyle habits of the Hunzas.
What became clear to Krebs was that the Hunzas’ vitality had a lot to do with their overall lifestyle and diet. Their diet consisted of raw milk, the occasional meat and bone broth, fresh grains and veggies. They ate little sugar and, as nomads and herders, they naturally got plenty of exercise. The other characteristic that was unique about the Hunzas is that they ate massive quantities of apricot seed kernels.
Intrigued, Krebs continued his research until he found what he thought was the secret weapon inside the humble apricot kernel when it came to tumor eradication – the glycoside amygdalin.
What is Amygdalin?
Amygdalin is a powerful phytonutrient that is found in apricot kernels, along with many other seed-bearing natural foods (estimates range from 1,200 to 1,500 foods). It is found in the highest concentrations and with the most effective accompanying enzymes in apricot seed kernels. Amygdalin is a nitriloside and its structure most resembles that of a B complex vitamin, so Krebs named it “B17.” Not surprisingly, amygdalin is largely missing from the Standard American Diet.
The substance laetrile was created by Dr. Krebs as a concentrate of amygdalin and is created by extracting it from apricot kernels.
Compounds in Apricot Kernels That Make Them Cancer Killers
Amygdalin found in apricot kernels and in laetrile contains benzaldehyde and cyanide, two potent compounds against cancer. You heard that right! Cyanide is actually one of the substances that makes apricot kernels a potentially effective modality for cancer.
Unfortunately, the presence of cyanide in Laetrile was also the excuse the FDA used to ban it in the US in 1971. Prior to this time, laetrile was readily obtainable in the United States.
In fact, scandal surrounds the reasons why laetrile is still banned in this country, and discerning eyes point to the deep pockets of Big Pharma and its bought-and-paid for partner research institutions. In the mid-70s, investigative journalist G. Edward Griffin did in-depth research into the circumstances surrounding around the FDA ban. What he discovered was shocking. He uncovered documents buried by Sloane-Kettering Cancer Institute which proved that laetrile was “highly effective” against cancer.
The fact is that many healthy foods such as bitter almonds, millet, sprouts, lima beans, spinach, bamboo shoots, and even apple seeds have quantities of cyanide in them, yet they are still safe to eat. This is because the cyanide remains “locked” within the substance in these plants. The cyanide is harmless when bound within other molecular formations. In addition, the body has its own safety mechanism in the form of the rhodanese enzyme, whose job is to “catch” any free cyanide molecules that may have escaped and render them harmless.
Cancer cells, on the other hand, are not normal cells; they contain a substance called beta-glucosidase (which healthy cells do not contain). Beta-glucosidase is the enzyme that “unlocks” cyanide and benzaldehyde in amygdalin molecules. When the beta-glucosidase in a cancer cell unlocks an amygdalin molecule, a toxic synergy is created that specifically targets cancer cells and leaves healthy cells untouched and unharmed.
It seems that nature has created the perfect cancer-targeting mechanism in amygdalin − and science as well as antecdotal evidence since the mid-1850s has proven this. It also seems a little odd that the National Cancer Institute itself decided to conduct human clinical trials with laetrile in the early 1980s, suggesting a precedent of at least some prior scientific evidence as to the cytotoxic (i.e. cancer-targeting) effects of the substance.
And very recent research is beginning to coming out that again sheds light on the anti-tumor effects of cyanide in the specific form that it presents itself within naturally-occurring substances. This new research includes a 2017 Bulgarian study that found evidence of “higher cytotoxic effect” for amygdalin in fast-developing tumors.
Yet still, conventional medicine sticks to its same old rhetoric when it comes to B17/laetrile/amagdylin. According to the National Health Institutes (NHI) webpage on laetrile/amagdylin, which was revamped in March of 2017:
Laetrile has shown little anticancer activity in animal studies and no anticancer activity in human clinical trials.
In addition, they state that:
The side effects associated with laetrile toxicity mirror the symptoms of cyanide poisoning, including liver damage, difficulty walking (caused by damaged nerves), fever, coma, and death.
Yet on that same page, they also acknowledge that “Laetrile was first used as a cancer treatment in Russia in 1845, and in the United States in the 1920s.” Confused yet?
Amygdalin From Apricot Kernels
These days apricot kernels are the easiest way to ingest amygdalin since laetrile is still banned by the FDA in the US. The good news is that these kernels are easy to obtain at health food stores or online and are also fairly inexpensive. In addition, clinics still exist outside of the US where B17 or laetrile therapy continues to be administered. Laetrile is often used in addition to other therapies such as sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
If you feel that B17 therapy may be something you would like to investigate further, be sure to get the facts about dosage and possible side effects. Talk to your integrated medical practitioner about your particular situation and whether amagdylin obtained from apricot kernels (or laetrile therapy if you reside outside of the United States) is right for you.
While the mystery may remain as to the main cause for the Hunza’s amazing vitality, one thing is for certain: their simple and stress-free way of eating, working, interacting, and moving their bodies have made them examples of the health that YOU are capable of having when you take proactive steps to heal your body naturally.
Please help bring more awareness about apricot kernels and cancer fighting laetrile by sharing this article with your friends and family.
Editor’s Note: This article originally published June 2015 and was updated and republished July 2017
Article Summary
Apricot kernels have been consumed for their nutritional and healing properties for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
In the 1930s, Major Sir Robert McCarrison wrote about a tribe called the Hunzas who lived in the remote countryside near Northern Pakistan. The Hunzas seemed to enjoyed near-perfect health and had none of the conditions common in the modern world, such as diabetes, obesity, heart attack, and cancer.
Amygdalin is a compound that is found in over 1,200 edible plants in nature and is found in the highest concentrations and with the most effective accompanying enzymes in apricot seed kernels. The Hunzas ate large quantities of apricot seed kernels.
The substance Laetrile was created by Dr. Ernest Krebs as a concentrated form of amygdalin obtained by extracting it from apricot kernels.
Amygdalin is a nitriloside, and its structure most resembles that of a B complex vitamin, so Dr. Krebs named it B17.
When the beta-glucosidase in a cancer cell unlocks an amygdalin molecule, a toxic synergy is created that specifically targets cancer cells.
Apricot kernels are the easiest way to ingest amygdalin since Laetrile is still banned by the FDA in the U.S. It’s important to work with a qualified healthcare practitioner regarding dosage and potential side effects.
Thank you so much for this valuable info i really aporeciate this has my sister has cancer and we are going completly holistic and with no treatment.for chemo radiation or tablets.
Hi Cazzy,
add turmeric, preferably raw( grate and make some tea with a pinch of black pepper) and the CBD/cannabis oil
I agree with this remedy, fully.
What are the ratios?
Really not critical.
Black pepper greatly helps the availability of the body to consume the turmeric.
This is a separate item to cannabis oil that you take separately.
how is she doing? i am in the process of deciding but so far refused radiation
I was diagnosed 11/2017 with CLL, chronic lymphotic leukemia. I was told I’d need a PET scan and a full biopsy of my lymph node. My lymph nodes were very large under arms, on my neck, and groin. I was very tired all the time. I did my research, and decided to go holistic. I refused the scan and biopsy. I put myself on 4 grams of turkey tail mushroom a day, 2 pills four times a day. I also used everything including Artemisia (wormwood). I cut out all sugar from my diet, no alcohol, and organic fruits, vegetables, whole grains cooking at home mostly. My energy started coming back at month 7, all my lymphs were mostly down to normal. At month 8, 2018, I had a full blood work up. The markers for CLL were very much improved: Lactate dehydrongenase went from 782 down to 323 (normal is 210 or less), WBC 16 down from 26, and RBC (red blood count) normal range. I am in this for 2 years at least. I may stay on the turkey tail for life. It is basically natural immunotherapy, which is what cancer treatments are focusing on now (only with expensive experimental drugs). I was told there was nothing I could do about my type of cancer unless I went in for some special IV type drugs, even then who knows. I have just added Amygdalin (like laetrile). It has the added benefit of lowering blood pressure, and helps your immune system as well. I am using capsules and tablets. I plan to get to 2 grams of Amygdalin (apricot pits) slowly. This dosage was recommended by a Mexican laetrile doctor. I am so glad I didn’t ruin an important lymph node with a biopsy just to determine what “type” of lymphoma I had, The information would have done nothing to change my treatment options. Look out for tests that can destroy your health just for the sake of answering the doctors questions. So, my current treatment is what they do at the Mexican clinics: put you on a mostly organic vegetarian diet (no red meats), have you take laetrile, lower your stress levels. Amygdalin works on all types of cancers. And the turkey tail seems to be also. Currently in trials for prostate cancer at Bastyr Institute in Seattle. So for sure, turkey tail works. It’s like taking food, no side effects. no toxicity. I am thrilled with my listening to my intuition, and going this route, and the results are amazing. My doctor now says I’m stabilized, and I’ll be getting blood tests done every 6 months. I expect to knock this out. As a side I had an easy weight loss, as a result my blood pressure is great now. I feel so good eating the way I do. The sugar I eat is rarely a little maple syrup, or dates. I am so adjusted that some apples are too sweet for me now!
I have MBL with the CLL phenotype and am on ‘watch and wait’. The consultants don’t know why our bone marrow mutates and I’ve asked why we can’t do anything in our lifestyles to stop the mutation of MBL cells by the bone bone marrow, but there are no answers. As I am on 6 monthly blood tests I think I’ll try the Turkey Tail mushrooms and see if there is any significant reduction in MBL count. It’s not high anyway, but it would be interesting to see if any untested natural remedies brought the levels back down to a normal count.
Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope you continue to reverse your CLL.
Hello Kate. How are you doing at this time? My son was just diagnosed
Kate, I just came across your very interesting post. I am ready to purchase apricot kernels. I am using turkey tail mushrooms, turmeric, organic homemade Ginger juice 100mg. I would like to know what brand of apricot kernels have you been using. I understand they are not all equal. I would imagine one should use an organic product, however are there any other factors I should consider when buying them. How was the result of you last test? I hope all is well.
where do you get the apricot pills and turkey tail mushroom caps
How long did your friend take the seeds for?
We in Doda, Kishtwar & Poonch districts of J&K State (India) have a wealth of bitter apricot trees, but least effort to promote its propagation!
This, My post on facebook will show you the Miracle that it is, IDK if it will be a clic on live link or if you might have to copy and paste, Its set to public viewing so you should be able to see even if you’re not on facebook, God bless all!!!- Link
I started by grinding 10 kernels and spreading over my cereal and adding some berries to overcome the bitterness and make sure I could tolerate them. After a week I went up to 30 as I got used to the bitterness and could tolerate them. My psa dropped dramatically from 9000 to 0.76 after 3 months. I have practically regained my strength and have almost joint pain. I am having 2nd scan in 4 weeks and am anxious to believe I am cured. Oncologist claims reduction is because my immune system was naive as I had lived a healthy life until now. It took 11 years from first psa of 7 until I had any symptoms as I refused conventional treatment until the pain suddenly overwhelmed me last October. I then agreed to hormone therapy which Oncologist suggested could slow down the metastisized prostate cancer and perhaps let me live 3 years and reach 80. It was only after the dire diagnosis that I started on the apricot kernels.
ginger and turmeric too is good…..as the doctor here said knowledge is a weapon. How true
How do u prepare them please
Hi
Can you update us regarding your scan and last results?
So what happened
Did you take 30 a day or week
I just got my last PSA results back at 8.5. It jumped up from 6 a year ago. I have no other signs at all of any kind of prostate issue. The doctors wanted to do a biopsy but I turned it down. Thinking about trymy this. Does one kernel equal one bit?
How did it go Ross ?
How is your dad coming along Elise ?
Graviola is also really good for cancer get the leaves ans do a tea and eat the fruit
Have you tried low dose Naltrexone? Also Turkey Tail mushroom and Lipn’s mane mushroom extract too.. ozone saunas work well too
I have bought a packet of organic bitter apricot kernels and it says “Not recommended for raw consumption, only for cooking and baking” can I still eat them? Could someone please help me with this, because this is the first time I have bought them and I don’t want to take the wrong things. Any advice would be most welcome. Thanks in advance x
These are the correct ones. That warning is from authorities because it is illegal to sell for human consumption.
Hi,
I live in England and I’m wondering where you bought your kernels from because I don’t want to buy the wrong kind.
Any and all help would be beneficial my dad has cancer and they’re now taking about hospice care
Greenlife in Totnes, Devon. They have a website. They sell them under banner of an ingredient for making face scrubs but obviously you eat them.
Hi, is There a difference when buying then eating apricots itselt, thus grinding the seeds yourself?
Also whats the website name again?
hi there, I have read all comments and I have recently been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, and worried sick as I am only 60 years old with a young family, I looked on amazon and right there is raw apricot kernals, they cost me £21.00 uk, and delivered next day, there are 7 100g bags and would last you a long time, they are organic, and are grown in Samarkand usbekistan, and for what I have researched about Apricot kernals, and what others are saying, and only been taking these for about 3 days, what have you to lose, I have started with 5 seeds on the first day and 10 this morning and will continue to take 10 a day, it says on the packet to take 1-2 daily, but for what I have looked into and what others are saying I have decided to take 10 seeds daily, I have not had any side effects within 3 days, I would not have had a clue on all this until looking and reading everything on this subject, I am just a normal person with cancer.
Hi Alan, sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Please update us on your progress, as we’re all eager to hear how the diet of 10 seeds daily goes, and what effect it has. Good luck.
thanks Hamish, yes I left my note on 26 july 18, having stage four prostate cancer and just had my Apricot kernals delivered from amazon a few days before starting with five the first day to then taking Ten a day, now I take Twenty a day, Ten in the morning and Ten before bed,
I have had no side effects from the kernals and would say a bit like eating almonds,
so over six weeks have gone by now and starting to pee a lot better and I am going to get another PSA check tomorrow which I believe will be right down to almost normal, knowing this from other tests I have paid privately for, I will let you know, good news so far.
Alan, please update. Praying for you.
I eat them all the time, usually 3, and also give my husband 3 with his dinner. They are just food!
Alan I just came across your August post. I have a PSA of 50 and ready to purchase apricot kernels. I am using turkey tail mushrooms, turmeric, organic homemade Ginger juice 100mg. I would like to know what brand of apricot kernels have you been using. I understand they are not all equal. I would imagine one should use an organic product, however are there any other factors I should consider when buying them. How was the result of you last test? I hope all is well.
Hi Ale , google Two feathers healing formula , Native American treatment for all types of cancer . I was diagnosed 9 years ago now ,and have only been on this treatment. ( lately have started taking medical cannabis oil also ) Never felt better .I am in Australia ,and only takes 6 days to get here from the States . Robert Roy Reno, Nevada .All the Best
I heard turmeric should be used in food while cooking and also add little bit of pepper. Turmeric by itself is not going to do any benefit.
This was a recent study in UK. Those consumed turmeric from the cooked food only got benefit from it.
Turmeric does need a dash of black pepper to enhance it’s anti-inflammatory action. Turmeric and it’s ‘cousin’, ginger) are amazing pain relievers, also, taking it before bed ensures wonderful sleep….as with the apricot kernals, turmeric has been mentioned as a cancer fighter
Hi – I just found this page. and your comment; and I see it is current. I’d like to share that a friend of my family’s named Hank, had very advanced cancer. Had NO good prognosis. In Washington state, a doctor at a Veterans Hospital (the last doctor he’d see before returining to his home in California) reached into his drawer and took out a can of Turmeric and handed it to Hank. He said “this is what we use in my country” (India). Hank said he decided to give it a try. His extreme pain was gone within 6 days or less; and he was quickly beginning to heal from his cancer. Neck, shoulder and had begun to spread. (He’d had surgery to remove cancer from his upper shoulder and neck) I saw the wide and long scars. There was nothing left for him. He had suffered a stroke from Chemo. He’s alive and very well He put Turmeric in and on every thiing including his coffee. He’s still using it for prevention. He’s very healthy, approx. 68 or 70 yrs old. A happy man. And healthy. Only used Turmeric. (I’m Nancy from YouTube – I published a popular video on Apricot Kernels. I used that for my skin cancer. I have no problem totally recommending either Apricot Kernels or Turmeric to anyone interested. Nancy Gurish YouTube and Your Health And Tech Friend Magazine. God bless you all.
In her book Dr. V recommends 1 bitter apricot kernel per 10 pounds of body weight. I have never deviated from this dosage in treating my breast cancer.
Hi Gayle.
Are you doing this along with any other treatment for BC?
See some online articles that spread fear mongering against consuming apricot kernels as cancer treatment……complete with recovering ‘cyanide victim’ crises actors. Yet they think chemo won’t hurt anybody.
Thank you so much for this information.
This I discovered at the bottom of my bag of Bitter Raw Apricot Seeds: Genesis 1:29…And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat (food).
To God Be All The Glory for things He has already done…Hallelujah…Amen
Bless you all, In Jesus’ Name
Love this! I have had a bag no cancer . I just to start taking and giving to my 3 yo as preventative. Just don’t know how much is right to give him or myself
Hello, Misti!
Thank you for reaching out and supporting our mission.
It is always a wise step to consult with your primary healthcare practitioner prior to taking any new dietary supplement.
Except that most doctors have done little research on alternative therapies or nutrition.
It wouldn’t matter if they had.
They are not allowed to approve of any alternative substance whatsoever.
My doc. really poo poo’d the thought yet wanted to give me Kemo
Hi Misti Our dog Molly (King Charles Cav) was diagnosed with terminal cancer 2012 live 10 years on average vet wanted to put her to sleep. Me and my wife have been taking Kernals as preventative medicine since 2005 after watching world without cancer by Edward G Griffin video online. Molly was 10 in 2012 started her on 2 a day increased to around 15 a day over time at one point 30 a day as she was on deaths door then maintained at 15 for 5 years, result Molly lived another 5 years just got old other issues and decided to put her to sleep. Tumours completely disappeared vet amazed within a month like a pup with loads of energy running on beach month earlier on deaths door amazing to see. Even a friend a pharmasist said that only one a day otherwise kill her nothing to lose ignored advice and from research learned only arsenic released in cancerous cells so Molly lived a full and active live for another 5 years. Read about the Hunza tribe they eat over 50 a day and live to be over 100 on average.Scare stories on the internet put out by big pharma to scare people me and my wife have our 10 plus a day for over 13 years and keep cancer at bay when we run out we quickly have less energy. Highly recommend World without cancer by Edward G Griffin and cure for all cancer Hulda R. Clark and DR Leonard Coldwell ( he as had several attempts on his life for telling the truth about cancer). Vested interests do not want you to know the truth do not let them scare you several people who have acted on this information with terminal cancer are still alive today and their cancer has disappeared 1 kernal a day will not work, apparently if take too many will feel nausea cut down then increase. A small dog was on 15 a day and only side effect was her cancer disappeared and she had the energy of a pup. Good luck do plenty of research cancer can be cured naturally. ps i had enlarged prostate 6 months ago doctor wanted to prescribe something researched it said “Can cause prostate cancer” no not making this up did my own research took natural products like tumeric result all symptoms disappeared water flow better than last few years. Most health problems can be cured naturally without side effects just need to research and not be scared from big pharma and other vested interests, if they knew what they were doing why are so many people suffering with diseases? no money in a cure is my answer!!
Wow many Thanks for sharing your journey and helping others. It is very good to know please keep sharing there are so many are are literally scared to death and ho through chemo and nasty radiation that kills them anyway.
God bless you.
I hear that poison ivy is very good for treating skin cancer. Has anyone had success with this treatment.
Absolutely right! there is all the tips to live a quality life in the Bible.
Dear Dr Veronique,
I had 0peration 4 years ago, { Brachytherapy} My PSA was 7.5. After the op my PSA went to 0.30. and gradually went up from there, it is now , 1. 64.last June. I have know about apricot kernals for several years, now. I have been taking them milled to a fine powder, mixed with pineapple juice. Do you think by taking them is contributing to slowing PSA ?. Several weeks after op, my libido had gone. I’m a pretty fit man of 77. Oncologist says my PSA stays at steady rate it could be ten years before i have to injection in stomach. Your advice would be most grateful.
David, UK
When is the best time to eat the bitter apricot seed kennels?
How long did it take you when you start takeing this because my husband is 70 years old with a Youneg family he have bladder cancer
Can you recommend any sources on how to process dried apricot kernels for internal use? I was gifted 12lbs of apricots from an organic tree and would like to use kernels for preventive use, small doses. Grind and tincture?
will taking turmeric conflict with having radiotherapy/
No conflict taking turmeric whilst having radiotherapy. Always take turmeric with black pepper corns as this will increase absorption. Do consider amygdalin, cannabis oil and also Low Dose Naltrexone.
Good luck!
I am getting ready to experiment with Vitamin B-17 recipes. Looking forward to my first dose of cyanide in a big way. Great article by the way.
I have had bladder cancer since 2009 and have had a number of tumours removed over the years as it alway came back. Then a friend told me about bitter apricot kernels. So I did some research online and found that it’s B17 which is a cancer cell killer. I started to eat them at a low dose at first to see if there was any after effects. I then started to take around 30 – 40 per day at morning afternoon and night. I have been for checkups over the last year and my surgeon said I was very clean inside my bladder. He also said what ever I was doing I was doing it right. So I do believe that the kernels have stopped my cancer in its tracks which is great news. I lowered the does now and only take 20 – 30 a day. Hope this helps people. Good luck. Stephen Brooks.
Stephen Brooks, what brand are you taking? My husband was just diagnosed with rectal cancer T3N1. We started the kernels about a week now. He’s up to 20 a day 10 in AM and 10 in Pm. Just want to make sure we have the potent ones. They do make our mouths a little numb while chewing, so I’m thinking they are fine.
Hello Christina
Same diagnosis with me but I just started the seeds yesterday. I have pains anytime i try to have a bowel movement. I take 20 seeds per per day.
How is your hubby doing now since starting the seeds one moth ago? Please lets share experience as doctors are trying to get me do an APR with permanent colostromy.
Regards
Bill
I am fascinated with this subject of Apricot kernels, I grow my own organic apricots and are wondering how is best to process the seed for eating ?
Here is a recipe for 5 layer cheesecake using apricot kernels in the base:
1. base – ground apricot kernels, almonds, flaxseeds
2. coulis – orange juice, lemon juice, zest
3. blend cashews (soaked for 2 hours and drain), mango, peach, then add cream cheese
4. frozen blueberries (thawed)
5. roughly blend pumpkin & sunflower seeds, goji berries, pine kernels, dried cranberries & blueberries, oats, dates, dried apricots (to sprinkle on top)
Many variations of this available!
I have been taking Apricot Kernels for years as a preventative measure but like any nuts and pulses I soak them for 24 hours first to ‘activate them’ I have not been told to do this or read about it anywhere in relation to Apricot Kernels, I know activating almonds makes them more potent – perhaps someone with more scientific knowledge than me could look into this and confirm please because it could be a quite important step.
I am wondering exactly how did the tribe consume the kernels? Raw, cooked, roasted, fermented? Is vitamin B17 destroyed by heat?