Bird cherry juice for immunity: one crucial warning about the pits

Bird cherry, ripening in late summer, has long been used as a natural remedy for autumn infections as homemade juice. The fruit is rich in immunity-boosting compounds, but when making juice, pits must be removed — they contain amygdalin, which releases toxic hydrogen cyanide when crushed. Safe juice is made by cooking the fruit and straining out pits before pouring into jars.