What can peach pits be used for

Peach pits can be used for planting peach trees, making handicrafts, extracting oil or used as medicine, but it should be noted that they contain trace amounts of cyanide and cannot be consumed directly. The main uses of peach pits include planting and breeding, process raw materials, extraction of medicinal ingredients, production of natural dyes, soil improvement, etc.

1. Planting and Propagation

Complete and plump peach kernels can be used as seeds after low-temperature sand storage treatment, and can germinate after about 3-4 weeks of spring sowing. Choose peach pits with no cracks on the outer shell, soak and disinfect them, then bury them in moist sand and refrigerate for 60 days to break the dormancy period. The sowing depth should be controlled at around 3 centimeters. During the seedling stage, it is necessary to keep the soil moist and avoid direct sunlight. Two year old seedlings can be grafted to improve the variety.

2. Craft Raw Materials

The hard wooden shell of peach pits is suitable for carving into handicrafts such as bracelets and pendants. The natural patterns on the surface are polished and polished to present a unique texture. In folk culture, peach pits are often drilled and woven into door curtains or storage baskets, with a porous structure that is breathable and moisture-proof. When making, it is necessary to dry in the shade to prevent cracking. It is recommended to use a professional carving knife for carving tools.

III. Extraction of Medicinal Ingredients

Peach kernels contain components such as amygdalin and fatty oil, which can be processed into traditional Chinese medicinal materials that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. Traditional medicine uses stir fried peach kernels in combination with other medicinal herbs to alleviate menstrual cramps. Modern research has shown that their extracts are helpful in improving microcirculation. Attention should be paid to the presence of cyanide glycosides in raw peach kernels, which must be professionally processed and detoxified before use.

4. Production of Natural Dyes

Peach kernel shells can extract brown natural dyes after boiling, suitable for dyeing cotton and linen fabrics. Boil broken peach pits and alum solution together for 2 hours, and filter to obtain a dye solution that can give the fabric a rustic coffee color. This plant dye does not contain chemical additives, but its color fastness is poor and requires the use of a fixing agent.

V. Soil Improvement

Crushed peach kernel shells can be used as horticultural cultivation substrates, and their porous structure can enhance soil permeability and water retention. Mixing peach kernel fragments with humus soil in a ratio of 1:3 is particularly suitable for planting plants such as orchids that require good drainage. Fermented peach kernel compost contains phosphorus and potassium elements, which can slowly release nutrients to improve compacted soil.

When using peach pits in daily life, safety precautions should be taken. It is recommended to wear goggles during the carving process to prevent debris from splashing. When handling large amounts of peach pit powder, ventilation should be maintained. Medicinal peach kernels must be processed by professional institutions to remove toxic components and avoid self collection and use. Peach seeds used for planting should be healthy and free from mold. Before sowing, they can be soaked in water at 50 degrees Celsius for sterilization. Abandoned peach pits can be broken and used as organic waste compost to achieve resource recycling.