Bitter almonds when distilled yield an essential oil containing about 5% of prussic acid.  Almonds are usually processed to extract almond oil for cosmetic purposes.  It is helpful for alleviating itchy skin conditions, such as eczema.  The oil is popular with masseuses and aromatherapists as it is light, easily absorbed, and makes an excellent carrier oil for essential oils.  Little is used for medicinal purposes, but almond flour is sometimes used as sustaining food for diabetics.  Almond milk is still drunk as a kidney tonic and to ease heartburn.  The oil derived from a bitter variety of almond has sedative properties and is sometimes used in cough remedies.  As well as being a tasty addition to the diet, almonds are also beneficial to the overall health of the body, being used especially in the treatment of kidney stones, gallstones and constipation. Externally, the oil is applied to dry skins and is also often used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy. The seed is demulcent, emollient, laxative, nutritive and pectoral. When used medicinally, the fixed oil from the seed is normally employed. The seed contains 'laetrile', a substance that has also been called vitamin B17. This has been claimed to have a positive effect in the treatment of cancer, but there does not at present seem to be much evidence to support this. The pure substance is almost harmless, but on hydrolysis it yields hydrocyanic acid, a very rapidly acting poison - it should thus be treated with caution. In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being.  The leaves are used in the treatment of diabetes.  The plant contains the antitumor compound taxifolin.