Chinese Materia medica, C17: Plant drugs,

Bencao yuanshi (Origins of Materia Medica) by Li Zhongli is a herbal in 12 volumes, containing 379 illustrations. It was first published in 1612. This illustration of gingko (yinxing) is taken from the revised edition of Ge Ding, engraved in 1638 (11th year of the Chongwen reign period of the Ming dynasty, Wu Yi year). Li Zhongli writes: Gingko is also known as baiguo ('white-fruit', maidenhair tree). The tree has a tall, massive trunk. The leaves resemble duck's feet, being thin and striated with indentations around the edges. The fruit is gathered in the autumn; the peel is removed and the flesh is used in medicine. It is sweet and bitter in sapor, neutral in thermostatic character, and non-poisonous. It has the medicinal properties of astringing lung Qi, soothing coughs and wheezing, alleviating vaginal discharge and gonorrhea (daizhuo), and reducing urine. It is used to treat lung insufficiency with generation of phlegm; coughs with wheezing and panting; frequent urination; leucorrhea and gonorrhea (baizhuo), etc.

Gingko (yinxing ) is commonly known as baiguo ('white-fruit'). Newly added.