銀杏 은행 (은행)

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 2

1. 性寒, 味甘, 有毒.

   Its nature is cold, flavor sweet, and it carries toxicity. Even ripe nuts must be eaten in moderation.

2. 淸肺胃濁氣, 定喘止咳. 《入門》

   It clears turbid qi from the lungs and stomach, calms wheezing, and stops coughing, as recorded in the Yixue Rumen.

3. 一名白果,

   It is also called baiguo, meaning white nut, after the pale kernel revealed once the shell is removed.

4. 以葉似鴨脚, 故又名鴨脚樹.

   Because the leaves resemble a duck's foot, the tree is also nicknamed yajiao shu, the duck-foot tree, easily recognized by its golden autumn fan-shaped leaves.

5. 其樹甚高大, 子如杏子, 故名爲銀杏.

   The tree grows very tall and broad, and its seed resembles an apricot pit, which is why it is called yinxing, the silver apricot.

6. 熟則色黃, 剝去上肉, 取子,

   When ripe the outer flesh turns yellow; this pungent pulp is peeled away and only the inner kernel is kept for use.

7. 煮食或煨熟食.

   It is eaten boiled or roasted in embers until fully cooked, since heat is essential for both safety and medicinal use.

8. 生則戟人喉, 小兒食之發驚. 《日用》

   Eaten raw it irritates the throat as if pricked, and children who consume it may suffer convulsions, a warning recorded in the Riyong Bencao that calls for special caution with young children.