Bitter almonds have been known to cause poisoning. Although they can be processed and made safer for culinary uses, in their raw state, they contain a compound called amygdalin, which can break down into products that include cyanide or...
If inhaled, cyanide gas can still be in the area and cause more damage if you don't get the victim out quick. Get the victim clear of the area and out into fresh air, where he can breathe freely. If he's struggling, give him oxygen through a mask...
Apricot kernels contain amygdalin, which is used to make the cancer therapy drug laetrile. This drug is not approved for use in the United States, but amygdalin-containing apricot pits often are sold as supplements. While laboratory studies have...
Vitamin B-17 really isn't a vitamin. It's a word used to describe amygdalin, a type of compound found in the seeds of many fruits. Vitamin B-17 has been used in alternative medicine for treatment of high blood pressure and has been promoted as a...
Laetrile is a purified form of amygdalin, a natural compound found in many plants. There is also a synthetic form of amygdalin, which was patented as Laetrile in the United States in the 1950s. The terms Laetrile, laetrile and amygdalin are often...
Laetrile, also known as B-17, isn't a vitamin at all, but rather a chemically-modified form of a substance called amygdalin. Laetrile does not occur naturally in any foods, although amygdalin does. Laetrile, used as a popular alternative cancer...
The soft, chewy tapioca balls in popular Asian drinks, Boba Tea or Tapioca Tea, sold at tapioca tea houses in most major Asian communities in the United States, are formations of starch produced in the roots of the cassava plant. You can easily...
Often referred to as laetrile, vitamin B17 is considered by many alternative medicine enthusiasts to be an effective cancer fighter. Many support the idea that together with a cancer-friendly diet (rich in raw and whole foods), vitamin B17 can...
Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in certain foods, particularly shellfish, fin fish, meat and dairy. According to MayoClinic.com, the human body stores vitamin B-12, so it is uncommon for people to have a deficiency. However,...
Laetrile is a synthetic derivative of amygdalin, a compound found in fruit pits, raw nuts and some plants such as clover and lima beans. The terms laetrile and amygdalin are used interchangeably. Both preparations have been used for cancer...
Initially isolated and identified in 1830 as amygdalin and called vitamin B-17 by proponents, this substance, according to scientific consensus, is really not a vitamin at all. Amygdalin was marketed in the 1970s as laetrile, touted as a...
Oil pressed from the kernels inside apricot pits is widely used in aromatherapy and cosmetics, especially as a substitute for much more expensive oil of almonds. Its antioxidant properties make it a popular additive for massage oils and cosmetics....
New treatments for cancer may appeal to patients who wish to avoid the harsh side effects of chemotherapy or whose cancer has continued to grow even after conventional medical treatment. One alternative treatment that gained popularity in the...
In the mid-1800s, Russians started taking a new remedy for cancer. The substance, derived from cyanide, is present in nuts and in the pits of stone fruits. Amygdalin, as the substance is known, also was used briefly in the United States in the...
Laetrile (amygdalin) is a complimentary alternative medication first used in Russia in 1845 and the United States in the 1920s as an anti-cancer drug, according to the National Cancer Institute. It is derived from apricot pits, with the main...
Certain compounds in almonds can contribute to headaches, while certain others can help relieve headaches. While on one hand, almonds contain cyanide, a potentially poisonous compound, they are also high in nutrients like calcium, magnesium and...
Sodium nitrite is a chemical found naturally in many vegetables, including spinach, lettuce, cauliflower and beets. It is a common preservative and coloring agent in foods such as cured meats. Nitrite levels in foods concern health care...
Sodium nitrite is a food preservative that also gives cured and processed meats, such as ham and hot dogs, their characteristic pinkish color. Many vegetables, including spinach, celery, beets and cabbage, naturally contain large amounts of...
Sodium nitrite, an inorganic compound, appears as a white powder and is very soluble in water. In the food industry, it has found use as a perservative for smoked fish and for meats such as bacon and sausage because it retards the growth of the...
Elderberries are a fruit produced by shrubs common to parts of the California coast, Eastern United States and Canada. While the berries are edible and can be used to make jam, jelly or wine, they are also highly toxic if consumed raw. Proper...
The good news is that cassava leaves contain large amounts of vitamin A and C, as well as some dietary fiber. The bad news is that all types of cassava also contain toxic compounds called cyanogenic glucosides. These compounds cause cyanide...
Amygdalin, also known as laetrile, is a plant-based chemical that is believed to be able to prevent and treat cancer. However, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), amygdalin use in scientific studies has had little effect in treating...
Figs were originally used to make a coffee substitute. In addition to its nutritional value, the fig has been important for its ability to keep the body physically and mentally strong. Figs have been used for a variety of alternative medicines to...
Sodium thiosulfate is a medication used to decrease side effects associated with a cancer-fighting medication called cisplatin. This medication may also be used to treat cyanide poisoning and certain types of yeast infections. Typically, sodium...
Almond oil is a carrier oil made from sweet almond kernels. These kernels are warmed, then pressed to extract the oil, according to the Bella Sugar website. This oil is rich in vitamin E and has a pale yellow color. Sweet almond oil offers several...
Without salt as a preservative, cured meats would spoil quickly. The salt dries out the meat, preventing the growth of bacteria because bacteria needs a great amount of moisture to grow. Sodium nitrite -- an antioxidant and salt compound --...
Damiana is a type of Central and South American shrub that is sometimes used as an herbal medicine to treat impotence, depression, asthma and sexual dysfunction. It may function as an aphrodisiac and have hallucinogenic properties. However, there...
People facing painful and lengthy cancer treatments often search for hope from natural or alternative remedies. One substance some supporters claim can be an effective treatment is vitamin B17, alternately referred to as amygdalin or laetrile. You...
Amygdalin is a naturally occurring compound found in the pits of various fruits as well as raw nuts, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Amygdalin is also called laetrile, or vitamin B-17, even though it is not considered a...