Japanese Apricot

BotanicalBest in the morningBest taken with food

What is it

Japanese apricot (Prunus mume), also called mume or ume, is a sour, plum-like fruit used in East Asian cuisines (umeboshi pickled plums) and in traditional Chinese medicine (wu mei) for digestive complaints, cough, and parasites.

Evidence for 3 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Helicobacter pylori suppression

Limited Evidence

In vitro and small in vivo studies show inhibitory activity against H. pylori. Not a substitute for medical eradication therapy.

Antioxidant intake

Limited Evidence

Provides polyphenols and organic acids; antioxidant effects similar to other dark fruits.

Digestive support (traditional use)

Mixed Evidence

Long traditional use for indigestion, nausea, and reduced appetite. Modern clinical evidence is limited.

How it works

Japanese apricot fruit contains citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, polyphenols (especially mumefural), and triterpenoids. The high organic acid content gives umeboshi its characteristic sour, salty-bitter taste and is thought to drive its traditional uses for nausea, indigestion, and bacterial overgrowth. Mumefural, formed during the heating and concentration of plum juice, is thought to support blood viscosity and circulation in animal studies. Polyphenols may have antimicrobial activity against Helicobacter pylori and some intestinal bacteria. Clinical evidence is limited and mostly from East Asia. The traditional preparation as umeboshi includes salting and sun-drying, producing high-sodium pickles consumed as a small accompaniment, not a bulk food.

Dosage

Culinary use: 1 to 3 umeboshi plums/day. Concentrate/syrup: 1 to 2 tsp/day. Standardized extracts vary widely; follow label.

When and how to take it

Umeboshi is traditionally eaten with rice at meals to aid digestion. Plum extracts and supplements should be taken with meals. For traditional 'morning sickness' or hangover use, small amounts are taken first thing in the morning.

3 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Umeboshi (pickled plum)

Sour-salty Japanese pickle; eaten with rice or in small servings.

High-sodium traditional food; small amounts only.

Plum extract or concentrate (bainiku-ekisu)

Used by the spoonful for digestive support; mumefural-rich.

Concentrated juice; intense flavor.

Standardized fruit extract powder

Sold as capsules; quality varies by source.

Concentrated polyphenols; variable standardization.

Safety

Whole fresh fruit and modest umeboshi use is safe. Umeboshi is very high in sodium and should be limited by those on low-sodium diets. Unripe Prunus mume seeds contain amygdalin (cyanogenic glycoside) and should not be eaten raw or in large amounts.

Who should be cautious

People on low-sodium diets or with hypertension should limit umeboshi. Pregnant women can use culinary amounts. Avoid raw or large amounts of unprocessed seeds.

Interactions

High-sodium umeboshi may interfere with blood pressure management. Possible mild interactions with anticoagulants from polyphenol content; clinical relevance is uncertain.

Food sources

Umeboshi (1 plum)

Amount
8 g
%DV
—

Umeboshi paste

Amount
1 tsp
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Are umeboshi safe with high blood pressure?⌄

Limit them. Umeboshi is very high in sodium (up to 1,000 mg per plum). Even small servings can significantly affect daily sodium intake.

Can I eat the pit of an umeboshi?⌄

Sucking the pit is part of traditional eating, but do not crack or swallow it. The seed inside contains amygdalin, which can release cyanide if metabolized.

References

Japanese Apricot on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Japanese Apricot on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Japanese Apricot (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.