 Ginkgo seed (Baiguo)
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
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. |
