Ginkgo Seed (Bai Guo)

白果
Ginkgo seed (Baiguo)  

Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Ginkgo

Botanical Name: Ginkgo biloba L.

Common Name: Ginkgo seed

Source of Earliest Record: Bencao Gangmu

Part Used: The ripe seeds are gathered in autumn, cleaned and dried in the sun. After the shells of the seeds have been broken, the seeds are removed and pounded into pieces.

Natural Properties & Taste: Sweet, bitter, astringent, neutral and slightly toxic

Meridians: Lung

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To strengthen lung qi and soothe asthma.

2. To relieve leukorrhea.

Indications & Combinations:

1. Asthma : a) asthma with stifling sensation in the chest and cough with profuse, dilute sputumGinkgo seed (Baiguo) is used with Ephedra (Mahuang) and Licorice root (Gancao). b) asthma with stifling sensation in the chest and cough with thick yellow sputumGinkgo seed (Baiguo) is used with Scutellaria root (Huangqin) and Mulberry bark (Sangbaipi) in the formula Dingchuan Tang.

2. Leukorrhea : a) downward flowing of damp-heat manifested as yellow, odorous leukorrheaGinkgo seed (Baiguo) is used with Phellodendron bark (Huangbai) and Plantain seed (Cheqianzi) in the formula Yihuang Tang. b) deficiency of kidney yang manifested as whitish, odorless leukorrheaGinkgo seed (Baiguo) is used with Cinnamon bark (Rougui), Astragalus root (Huangqi) and Dogwood fruit (Shanzhuyu).

Dosage: 6-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications: Overdosage of the herb is toxic.