About This Herb*
Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties
Herb Description*
Ginkgo seed is a traditional Chinese herb used primarily for respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic cough with heavy phlegm, as well as for excessive vaginal discharge and frequent urination. It works by restraining and stabilizing bodily functions that have become 'leaky' or overactive. Note that ginkgo seed is different from the ginkgo leaf extract commonly sold as a supplement for memory, and it is mildly toxic when raw, so it must always be cooked and used in controlled amounts.
Herb Category*
Main Actions*
- Astringes the Lungs and calms wheezing
- Expels Phlegm
- Astringes to Stop Vaginal Discharge
- Secures Essence and Stops Enuresis
How These Actions Work*
'Astringes the Lungs and calms wheezing' means Bái Guǒ tightens and restrains the Lung Qi that has become rebellious (rising upward) and causing coughing or wheezing. Its astringent nature helps hold the Lungs' Qi in check so it descends properly rather than rushing upward. This is why it is a key herb for chronic or acute asthma and cough with copious phlegm. Because Bái Guǒ is neutral in temperature, it can be combined with either warming or cooling herbs depending on whether the cough pattern involves cold or heat.
'Expels Phlegm' refers to its bitter, descending quality that helps resolve accumulated phlegm in the Lungs. It works by drying dampness and directing phlegm downward, making it particularly useful when thick, copious sputum accompanies wheezing.
'Stops vaginal discharge' means this herb can restrain excessive vaginal discharge (leukorrhea). Its astringent and dampness-eliminating properties address both the underlying dampness and the failure of the lower body to hold fluids in place. It is used for both clear/white discharge from deficiency and yellow discharge from damp-heat when combined appropriately.
'Reduces urination' means Bái Guǒ helps control frequent, excessive, or involuntary urination. By entering the Kidney channel and exerting an astringent effect on the lower body, it stabilizes the Bladder's holding function. This makes it useful for urinary frequency, bedwetting in children, or incontinence due to Kidney Qi weakness.
Important safety note: Bái Guǒ is mildly toxic in its raw form and must always be properly cooked before internal use. Dosages should be carefully controlled.
Patterns Addressed*
In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Bai Guo is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.
The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.
Why Bai Guo addresses this pattern
When phlegm and heat accumulate in the Lungs, the Lung Qi rebels upward, causing wheezing, coughing, and copious yellow sticky phlegm. Bái Guǒ's astringent nature restrains the rebellious Lung Qi and calms wheezing, while its bitter taste helps dry dampness and resolve phlegm. Being neutral in temperature, it does not worsen the heat but effectively binds the Lung Qi. This is why it serves as a co-King herb alongside Má Huáng in Dìng Chuǎn Tāng, where the pairing of one dispersing (Má Huáng) and one astringing (Bái Guǒ) herb creates a balanced approach to clearing the airways without exhausting Lung Qi.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Wheezing with audible sound in the throat
Cough with copious yellow, sticky phlegm
Shortness of breath and chest tightness
Thick yellow phlegm that is difficult to expectorate
Why Bai Guo addresses this pattern
When damp-heat accumulates in the lower body, it can manifest as yellow, foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Bái Guǒ enters the Kidney channel and has a strong astringent effect on the lower body, helping to restrain abnormal discharge. Its bitter taste also contributes to drying dampness. In Yì Huáng Tāng (from Fù Qīng Zhǔ Nǚ Kē), Bái Guǒ serves as the Deputy herb, guiding the formula's action into the Ren (Conception) vessel to stop discharge while the other herbs clear heat and resolve dampness.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Yellow, thick, foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Turbid or cloudy urine
Why Bai Guo addresses this pattern
When Kidney Qi is weak and fails to consolidate the lower body, fluids and essences leak out, producing urinary frequency, bedwetting, incontinence, or spermatorrhea. Bái Guǒ directly enters the Kidney channel and exerts an astringent, stabilizing effect on the lower body. Its ability to 'reduce urination' addresses the root holding-failure of Kidney Qi. It is often combined with Kidney-tonifying herbs like Shān Zhū Yú and Fù Pén Zǐ to both strengthen the Kidneys and astringe the leakage.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Frequent urination, especially at night
Bedwetting in children or urinary incontinence
Involuntary seminal emission
TCM Properties*
Neutral
Sweet (甘 gān), Bitter (苦 kǔ), Astringent (涩 sè)
Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)
This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.