Peach resin (In Chinese it is called the peach gum, due to its texture) is a natural medicinal resin secreted and condensed from the bark of the Amygdalus persica L. (syn: Prunus persica, or simple Peach) or Amygdalus davidiana (syn: Prunus davidiana, or simply David's peach / Chinese wild peach) plant, under the Prunus family and they are native to China.
Peach resin is commonly used as a component in Chinese desserts and soup.
Appearance
Solid resin in varying sizes, with large ones similar to longans in size. Available in white, light yellow, light brown, and dark reddish brown. Colors resemble natural growth but don't impact nutritional value.
Metabolomics research found peach gum to be rich in small-molecule metabolites and polyphenols, which positively relate to deepening color, phenol content, and antioxidant capability. Hesperetin, naringenin, and eriodictyol are the predominant flavonoids in peach gum.
What are the health benefits of eating peach resins in Chinese traditional medicine?
In Chinese traditional medicine, peach gum possess many health benefits including:
- Produce fluid and quench thirst,
- Remove heat and humidity,
- Nourishes "yin" (Yin refers to the body fluids in the body, including blood, saliva, tears, endocrine and oil secretion),
- harmonizing blood,
- relieving stranguria,
- stopping dysentery
- Helps relieve dry mouth, dry throat, and dry cough,
- Replenish collagen, nourish skin, especially helpful for dry skin,
- Lower blood sugar and total cholesterol, helps with diabetes
- helps with chyluria
- Supplement galactose to nourish the brain and improve intelligence
- helps with abdominal pain
Composition of peach resin
Peach gum consists of polysaccharide around 80%, moisture around 12%, protein around 2%, and phytochemicals.
Nutrition and health benefits based on Western scientific facts
Modern health benefits include:
Low calories
Peach gum has around 175Kcal per 100g, yet it is rich in nutrients like protein, minerals, and vitamins. Peach gum is also a soothing and laxative food that contains good amount of fiber. It softens feces, promotes intestinal peristalsis, and aids in smooth defecation. It also increases mucus secretion, maintaining the normal functioning of the digestive system.
Protects liver
Research shown peach gum polysaccharides protects against alcohol-induced liver injury by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation and regulating lipid metabolism. Characterization analysis identified polysaccharides as pyranose polysaccharides composed of arabinose, galactose, xylose, glucuronic acid, mannose, etc. These findings highlight the potential of polysaccharides in preventing alcoholic liver disease.
Protects skin
Study found that peach gum polysaccharide can protect against UVB radiation-induced skin aging. It prevents oxidative stress and damage in human skin cells. It also inhibits wrinkle formation by regulating collagen levels.
Peach gum polysaccharide has protective effects against colitis, offering potential for functional food industry.
Helps acute colitis
Structural characterization of peach gum polysaccharide and its effects on the regulation of Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced acute colitis.
Protects reproduction system
Peach gum protects impaired reproduction system in animal study.
Disadvantage: Who should avoid peach resin
Pregnant women and menstruating female
Consuming peach gum can lead to excessive menstrual blood for women during menstruation and increase the risk of miscarriage for pregnant women.
People with weak digestive ability
Peach gum nourishes "yin" and reduces irritability, but it can cause gastrointestinal discomforts like diarrhea for people with weak and cold constitutions.
People with kidney disease
Peach gum is high in protein and should be consumed in moderation to avoid kidney burden.
Controversial
Peach trees secrete peach gum when their bark is cracked, protecting themselves and aiding in wound healing. As a result, peach gum is found wherever there are wounds. Some argue that these wounds can become infected by mold or bacteria, making the gum susceptible to contamination by toxins and germs. Additionally, peach trees are prone to pests and diseases, leading farmers to use pesticides that may contaminate the gum with pesticides residue.
Reference
Zhou, B., Liu, P. P., Yao, X., Cao, H., Zhu, H., Wang, Q., Liu, Y., Fang, M., Wu, Y., & Gong, Z. (2024). Hepatoprotective effects of peach gum polysaccharides against alcoholic liver injury: moderation of oxidative stress and promotion of lipid metabolism. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1325450
Yang, M., Tao, L., Wang, Z., Li, L., Luo, J., Pai, K. S. R., Li, W., Chun-Hua, Z., Sheng, J., & Tian, Y. (2023). The mechanism of peach gum polysaccharide preventing UVB-Induced skin photoaging by regulating matrix metalloproteinanse and oxidative factors. Molecules/Molecules Online/Molecules Annual, 28(10), 4104. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28104104
Liu, Z., Xiping, Z., Tian, J., Li, Y., Liu, Q., Chen, X., Feng, F., Yu, X., & Yang, C. (2022). Multiomics analysis reveals that peach gum colouring reflects plant defense responses against pathogenic fungi. Food Chemistry, 383, 132424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132424
Wei, C., Li, Y., Zhang, Y., Qiu, S., Zeng, X., Chen, S., & Ye, X. (2023). Structural characterization of peach gum polysaccharide and its effects on the regulation of DSS-induced acute colitis. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 225, 1224–1234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.183
Li, Q., Wang, W., Song, J., & Chen, D. (2017). Peach gum polysaccharides improve the spermatogenesis of KKAy mice with impaired reproduction system. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 77(3), e12627. https://doi.org/10.1111/aji.12627