Pharmaceutical Name

Semen Ginkgo

Botanical Name

Ginkgo biloba L.

Common Name

Ginkgo seed

Source of Earliest Record

Bencao Gangmu

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations

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.

Properties & Taste

Sweet, bitter, astringent, neutral and slightly toxic

Meridian

Lung

Functions

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 sputum. Ginkgo seed (Baiguo) is used with Ephedra (Mahuang) and Licorice root (Gancao); (b) asthma with stifling sensation in the chest and cough with thick yellow sputum. Ginkgo 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 leukorrhea. Ginkgo 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 leukorrhea. Ginkgo 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.