Bitter Almond Water

Bitter almond water, Aqua Amygdalarum amararum, a transparent, colorless or slightly turbid liquid due to the presence of traces of bitter almond essential oil, with a characteristic odor and weakly acidic reaction; specific gravity 0.970-0.978; contains 0.1% hydrocyanic acid. It is obtained (according to Ph. VII) from the marc of bitter almonds by steam distillation, or according to the German pharmacopoeia by dissolving benzaldehyde cyanohydrin in alcohol followed by dilution of the alcoholic solution with water. Its therapeutic application is due to the presence of hydrocyanic acid, which acts locally as an anesthetic; it is used as a sedative in bronchial asthma, catarrhal bronchitis, acute laryngitis, whooping cough, cardialgia, and gastralgia; at present many authors consider the therapeutic application of bitter almond water to be poorly justified. Bitter almond water is also used as a corrigens. It is prescribed in doses of 10-20 drops several times a day. The maximum single dose is 2.0, the maximum daily dose is 6.0. It should not be prescribed together with alkalis, alkaline carbonates, anise ammonia drops (which promote the decomposition of hydrocyanic acid), apomorphine, morphine, or strychnine (a precipitate may form when concentrated solutions are stored). Ph. VII permits the substitution of cherry laurel water (Aq. Laurocerasi) with bitter almond water when dispensing from pharmacies. - Artificial bitter almond water, Aqua Amygdalarum amararum artificialis - a mixture of a 2% solution of hydrocyanic acid, bitter almond essential oil, alcohol, and water; contains 0.1% hydrocyanic acid. - Syrupus Aquae Amygdalarum amararum - a mixture of 10 parts bitter almond water and 90 parts sugar syrup. The action and use of these two preparations are similar to bitter almond water.