☯ TCM Properties
Astringes the Lungs and calms wheezing; Expels Phlegm; Astringes to Stop Vaginal Discharge; Secures Essence and Stops Enuresis
Traditional Chinese Uses
Bai Guo (ginkgo seed, ginkgo nut) is a neutral, slightly toxic herb used in Chinese medicine to astringe the Lung and stop leakage from Kidney deficiency. Its astringent action addresses chronic cough, wheezing, and copious phlegm from Lung deficiency, as well as excessive vaginal discharge and urinary incontinence from Kidney deficiency. Because it has mild toxicity, it is used in limited quantities and never eaten in large amounts raw. Its calming action on the Lung makes it a classical ingredient in asthma and cough formulas.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Ginkgo biloba is a long-lived deciduous tree in the monotypic family Ginkgoaceae, often growing 20 to 35 meters tall, with a strongly pyramidal crown when young that broadens with age. The bark is grey, becoming deeply fissured on old trunks, and shoots are dimorphic, with long shoots bearing scattered leaves and short spur shoots producing dense clusters. Leaves are unique among seed plants: fan-shaped, leathery, 5 to 10 cm wide, with dichotomously branching veins and a notch dividing the blade into two lobes. The species is dioecious; male trees bear small catkin-like pollen cones while female trees produce paired ovules on slender stalks that mature into fleshy, plum-like seeds with a foul-smelling fleshy outer coat and a hard inner shell enclosing the edible kernel. Native to a small area of central China and surviving as a relict of an ancient lineage, Ginkgo is now widely cultivated worldwide as an ornamental and medicinal tree.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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