The main difference between medicinal almonds and food almonds is their efficacy and uses.

Medicine almonds, usually refers to bitter almonds, have been recorded in the "Compendium of Materia Medica". It has the effects of relieving coughs, relieving asthma, and moisturizing the intestines. It is often used to treat diseases such as exogenous coughs, dyspnea, laryngitis, intestinal dryness, and constipation. Its antitussive and asthmatic effects are mainly due to the fact that amygdalin can be hydrolyzed by intestinal microbial enzymes or amygdalin contained in bitter almonds in the body, producing trace amounts of hydrocyanic acid and benzaldehyde, which have an inhibitory effect on the respiratory center. In addition, bitter almonds also have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Food almonds are a kind of snack in our daily life, such as amber almonds, crispy almond cakes, hand-peeled white apricot kernels, etc. Their main component is fatty oil, which can moisten the intestines and relieve constipation, and also has certain nutrients.

In general, medicinal almonds are mainly used for medicinal treatment, while food almonds are mostly eaten as snacks.