Bái Guǒ (白果), known in English as Ginkgo nut (Ginkgo biloba (seed)), is a neutral, sweet, bitter and astringent Chinese herb from the Resolve phlegm category. It enters the Lung and Kidney channels. Its main action: astringes Lung, calms wheezing.
| Pinyin | Bái Guǒ (Bai Guo) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 白果 |
| English | Ginkgo nut |
| Botanical name | Ginkgo biloba (seed) |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet, Bitter, Astringent |
| Channels | Lung, Kidney |
| Dosage | 5–10g |
| Cautions | Toxic: do not exceed the dose or eat raw; excess patterns; children (use with caution) |
Actions
- Astringes Lung, calms wheezing
- Stops vaginal discharge, reduces urination
Indications
- Wheezing and cough with copious Phlegm
- Vaginal discharge and turbid urine
- Enuresis and frequent urination
How to remember Bái Guǒ
Most Resolve phlegm herbs enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Lung channel: from its action “Astringes Lung”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in nature
- Sweet: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Bitter: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Astringent: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Kidney channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Bái Guǒ
Other Resolve phlegm herbs
- Bàn Xià
- Guā Lóu
- Tiān Nán Xīng
- Zào Jiǎo Cì
- Jié Gěng
- Chuān Bèi Mǔ
- Zhè Bèi Mǔ
- Zhú Rú
- Tiān Zhú Huáng
- Hǎi Zǎo
- Kūn Bù
- Pí Pá Yè
- Xìng Rén
- Zǐ Wǎn
- Bǎi Bù
- Kuǎn Dōng Huā
- Sāng Bái Pí
- Tíng Lì Zǐ
- Bái Jiè Zǐ
- Bái Qián
- Qián Hú
- Xuán Fù Huā
- Zǐ Sū Zǐ
- Qīng Méng Shí
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Bái Guǒ?
Bái Guǒ is neutral and sweet, bitter and astringent.
Which channels does Bái Guǒ enter?
Bái Guǒ enters the Lung and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Bái Guǒ?
Astringes Lung, calms wheezing; Stops vaginal discharge, reduces urination.
What is Bái Guǒ used for?
Wheezing and cough with copious Phlegm; vaginal discharge and turbid urine; enuresis and frequent urination.
Which formulas contain Bái Guǒ?
Dìng Chuǎn Tāng.
Practise Bái Guǒ and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.