Vitamin B17 & Wellness — The Complete Educational Guide

An educational resource on Amygdalin (Vitamin B17): its botanical origins, history, use in modern wellness routines, and how consumers evaluate quality. From the US Novodalin distributor since 2000.

Section OneWhat is Vitamin B17?

Vitamin B17 is the popular name given to Amygdalin, a naturally occurring compound found in the seeds of many fruits and certain plant species. The name was coined by Dr. Ernst T. Krebs Jr. in 1952 and has persisted commercially for more than 70 years — though it's important to note that Amygdalin is not classified as a vitamin under modern pharmacological definitions.

Chemically, Amygdalin is a cyanogenic diglucoside with the molecular formula C₂₀H₂₇NO₁₁. Its structure consists of two glucose molecules attached to mandelonitrile. This biochemistry is what makes its origin and processing so important: not all "B17 supplements" on the market contain meaningful Amygdalin content.

Although "Vitamin B17" remains the popular commercial term, the scientific and pharmacological community uses "Amygdalin." Both terms refer to the same compound — they are completely interchangeable. Laetrile is sometimes used as a synonym but technically refers to a semi-synthetic monoglucoside derivative developed in the 1950s; most products labeled "Laetrile" in today's marketplace actually contain natural Amygdalin.

Section TwoBotanical origins and natural sources

Amygdalin occurs naturally in more than 1,200 plant species, but its concentration varies dramatically. Understanding where Amygdalin comes from helps consumers evaluate supplement quality.

The primary commercial source

The most concentrated natural source of Amygdalin is the seed of the bitter apricot variety: Prunus armeniaca var. amara. These bitter raw apricot kernels contain 30 to 50 times more Amygdalin than the sweet apricot variety (var. dulcis), which is what makes bitter apricot the standard botanical source for legitimate Vitamin B17 supplements.

Other natural sources of Amygdalin

While bitter apricot is the commercial standard, Amygdalin is also present in:

• Bitter almonds — high concentration, but uncommon as a commercial source
• Peach pits — moderate concentration
• Cherry pits — moderate concentration
• Plum pits — lower concentration
• Apple seeds — small amounts
• Lima beans, sorghum, millet, buckwheat, flaxseed, cassava — trace amounts

For supplementation purposes, bitter raw apricot kernels remain the preferred source because of their high Amygdalin concentration and well-documented extraction protocols. TJ Supply distributes Novodalin Amygdalin products extracted exclusively from bitter raw apricot seeds — never from sweet variety or lower-concentration sources.

Section ThreeA brief history of Amygdalin

Amygdalin has been studied and used in various forms for well over a century, with its modern history centered around the work of one family of researchers.

Early scientific identification

Amygdalin was first isolated from bitter almonds in 1830 by Pierre-Jean Robiquet and Antoine François Boutron-Charlard, two French chemists. Their work identified the compound and described its basic chemistry — the foundation for everything that followed.

The Krebs era

The modern commercial era began in the early 1950s with Dr. Ernst T. Krebs Jr. and his father, Dr. Ernst T. Krebs Sr. In 1952, Krebs Jr. coined the term "Vitamin B17" and developed the extraction methodology that remains in use today.

Krebs Jr.'s extraction method uses a low-temperature water-alcohol process that preserves the natural Amygdalin molecule without thermal degradation. This methodology has become the industry standard for legitimate B17 supplement manufacturers — including Novodalin, the manufacturer whose products TJ Supply distributes.

The Novodalin lineage

Novodalin is one of the longest-operating manufacturers of authentic Amygdalin products, continuously producing supplements according to the original Krebs methodology. TJ Supply has been Novodalin's official US distributor since 2000, representing 25+ years of unbroken supply chain in the United States.

Section FourHow Vitamin B17 is used in modern wellness

Vitamin B17 is incorporated into wellness routines in various ways, depending on personal preference, healthcare practitioner guidance, and individual circumstances. This section describes how the supplement is generally used — it is not medical advice, and any specific protocol should be discussed with a qualified healthcare practitioner.

General supplementation patterns

• Daily oral supplementation — tablets or capsules taken once or multiple times per day, in 100mg or 500mg doses
• Pulse protocols — periods of supplementation alternating with rest periods, as guided by a practitioner
• Combined with complementary supplements — paired with Vitamin C, Pangamic Acid (B-15), or proteolytic enzymes
• Topical use — creams containing Amygdalin and DMSO for external application
• Healthcare practitioner-administered injectables — sterile solutions used only by licensed practitioners (never for self-administration)

Dosage overview

Section FiveAvailable forms for wellness routines

Vitamin B17 (Amygdalin) supplements come in five main forms, each suited to different preferences and use cases. TJ Supply offers all five through its Novodalin product line:

1. Oral tablets

The most common form. 100mg tablets serve as an entry dose, while 500mg tablets are used for more established routines. Tablets are pressed and compact, with measured doses making them easy to incorporate into a daily wellness routine.

2. Vegetarian capsules

Same Amygdalin content as tablets in a vegetarian capsule shell. Some users find capsules easier to swallow, particularly at higher doses. Available in both 100mg and 500mg.

3. Natural apricot seed extract

A concentrated extract format for those who prefer non-encapsulated supplements. Standardized for Amygdalin content, ≥98% HPLC verified per batch. See our full Apricot Seed Extract guide.

4. Topical creams

Creams combining Amygdalin with DMSO (a penetration enhancer) for external use only — never for oral consumption. Two formulations: a higher-concentration cream (15% Amygdalin + 10% DMSO, 44ml) and a lighter formulation (7% Amygdalin + 6% DMSO, 15ml).

5. Healthcare practitioner injectables

Sterile parenteral Amygdalin solution (3g per 10ml vial). Available only for healthcare practitioner administration in clinical settings — never appropriate for self-administration.

Section SixHow to evaluate quality and purity

The Vitamin B17 supplement market varies enormously in quality. Some products contain only a fraction of their labeled Amygdalin content; others come from the wrong botanical source entirely. Knowing what to look for protects consumers from poor-quality supplements.

1. Botanical source identification

The label should explicitly identify the botanical source as Prunus armeniaca var. amara — the bitter raw apricot variety. Generic terms like "apricot seed extract" without variety specification are red flags, as they may indicate sweet variety sourcing (which has 30–50× less Amygdalin).

2. HPLC purity verification

Look for explicit ≥98% HPLC verified purity claims — preferably with batch-by-batch documentation available on request. Vague claims like "high purity" or "guaranteed potency" without specific HPLC percentages are insufficient.

3. GMP certification

US dietary supplements should be manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards as defined by FDA's 21 CFR Part 111. This ensures consistent quality, identity, and purity from batch to batch.

4. Lot number traceability

Every legitimate supplement bottle should carry a unique lot number enabling full traceability from the finished product back to the raw material batch and test documentation.

5. Manufacturer and distributor history

The B17 industry has seen many short-lived operators. Longevity matters — established manufacturers and distributors with multi-decade track records offer inherently greater reliability. See our detailed article on Vitamin B17 quality control standards.

Section SevenSafe and responsible use

Responsible use of any dietary supplement — including Vitamin B17 — requires thoughtful consideration of personal health context, professional guidance, and awareness of regulatory standards.

Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner

Before incorporating Vitamin B17 into your routine, always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner. This is especially important if you:

• Have pre-existing health conditions of any kind
• Take medications (prescription or over-the-counter)
• Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive
• Are under 18 years old
• Have known allergies or sensitivities to certain plants or compounds
• Have liver, kidney, or digestive conditions

FDA regulatory framework

Vitamin B17 supplements are regulated in the United States under DSHEA (1994). They are not approved by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Any product or practitioner making specific medical claims about B17 should be approached with skepticism.

Avoid self-administering injectables

The injectable form of Amygdalin is strictly for licensed healthcare practitioner administration. It should never be self-administered. The oral forms (tablets, capsules, extract) are intended for general consumer use under a practitioner's guidance.

Section EightChoosing a trusted source

Choosing where to buy your Vitamin B17 supplements matters as much as the supplements themselves.

Direct manufacturer or authorized distributor

The most reliable sources are direct manufacturers or their authorized distributors. These sources have direct quality control, can provide full traceability, and typically offer the most consistent supply. TJ Supply is the official US distributor of Novodalin since 2000.

What to avoid

• Marketplace resellers with no manufacturer relationship — may sell counterfeit or expired products
• Bulk import sellers without clear sourcing — often sweet apricot variety or mixed sources
• Sites with vague specifications — no HPLC percentages, no GMP mention, no botanical variety
• Sites with extreme claims — any source making specific medical claims is operating outside FDA regulations
• New entrants without history — the B17 market has seen many short-lived operators

Why TJ Supply

• 25+ years distributing authentic Amygdalin in the US (since 2000)
• Official Novodalin distributor — direct manufacturer relationship
• ≥98% HPLC verified purity per batch, with documentation
• GMP certified manufacturing under 21 CFR Part 111
• Exclusively bitter apricot seeds (Prunus armeniaca var. amara)
• Lot traceability on every bottle
• 4.9/5 rating from 1,300+ verified reviews
• Free US shipping on orders over $90 · 30-day free returns