As a type of traditional Chinese medicine, Ginkgo leaves have many benefits. Let's learn about the original botanical form and application of Ginkgo leaves together.
【Benefits and Effects of Ginkgo Leaves】
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Ginkgo leaves have the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, and cooling blood. It is used to treat painful ulcers and abnormal uterine bleeding.
1. "Tang Materia Medica": "Fresh leaves, when applied, are effective for treating fire ulcers."
2. "Rihua Son Materia Medica": "Used to treat swollen and ulcerated wounds, pounded with salt."
3. "Yao Kecheng's Compendium of Food Materia Medica": "Used to make a cooling drink for the heart and lungs; applied to treat fire blisters."
4. "Rihua Son": "Cold, non-toxic."
5. "National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine": "Used to treat boils."
【Original Botanical Form of Ginkgo Leaves】
Ginkgo is a tall tree that can reach up to 25m in height. The branches of the tree are covered with soft hairs. The leaves are alternate, with a hard papery texture. The leaf stalks are 1-4mm long, and there are no stipules. Ginkgo leaves are elliptical, narrow-ovate, or lanceolate.
The apex is gradually pointed, the base is wide-wedge-shaped or nearly circular, and the upper surface is rough with deciduous stiff hairs. The lower surface is covered with soft hairs. The margin has single serrations, and there are 7-15 pairs of lateral veins.
The flowers are unisexual, rarely monoecious, with male and female flowers on the same tree. The male flowers cluster in the leaf axils or bracts at the lower part of the new branches, while the female flowers grow 1-3 in the leaf axils at the upper part of the new branches. The perianth consists of 4-5 segments.
The stamens are the same number as the perianth segments and are opposite to them. The female flowers have only one pistil, one chambered ovary, and two oblique styles. The upper part of the nut is inclined, with a diameter of 2.5-4mm. The flowering period is from March to April, and the fruiting period is from October to November.
【Application of Ginkgo Leaves in Traditional Formulas】
Used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding in women, with five different colors or continuous red and white:
Three taels of Ginkgo leaves, one and a half taels of licorice (slightly roasted and crushed), two and a half taels of Ophiopogon japonicus (removed the core and roasted), and one tael of dried ginger (processed and crushed).
Grind the above ingredients into a coarse powder, take four qian (about 12 grams) per dose, boil in a cup of water with three jujubes until reduced to six fen (about 1.8 grams), and take it warm without considering the time of day. ("Puji Fang" Ginkgo Leaf Powder)
