Ginkgo Seed
白果 · Bái Guǒ
Calms cough and steadies leaky bladder
Properties
NeutralNeutral botanicalSweet, Bitter, Astringent
Concerns
What it does
Ginkgo seed quiets stubborn coughs and steadies urinary leakage and vaginal discharge. In TCM, it strengthens the lungs and locks in essences your body shouldn't be losing, like breath or urine. It's specifically suited to chronic cough with profuse phlegm. Toxic in raw form, so always cooked and carefully dosed.
How to take it
Crack and discard the green embryo (most toxic part). Cook 5–10 cooked seeds in soup or congee. Used in formulas for chronic cough. Never eat raw.
Add a few cooked ginkgo seeds to a chicken-and-yam congee
Safety
- Toxic raw or in large amounts. Always cooked, max 5–10 seeds per dose
- MPN compound can cause vomiting, seizures, and respiratory failure in poisoning
- Skip during pregnancy
- Don't give to young children. Multiple fatal cases reported
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest tree species on earth, sometimes called a living fossil. Wild populations were thought extinct until rediscovery in southern China in the 1700s. In TCM, the leaves and seeds are used differently: the leaf is for circulation and memory; the seed is for cough and urinary issues. Raw or large amounts of seeds can cause poisoning. Always cook before eating.