Ginkgo leaf

Chinese Name: Ying xing ye
Medical Name: Folium Ginkgo
Latin Name: Ginkgo biloba L., order Ginkgoales
Origin: Dried leaf.
Taste: Bitter and astringent

Quotes from Chinese historical sources:
COMPENDIUM OF MATERIA MEDICA: "Useful in cases of sebaceous cysts, wrinkles, scabies, ringworm, nasal eczema and skin infections due to lice."
"Taking cooked ginkgo can warm the lungs to restore qi, relieve dyspnea (shortness of breath) and coughs, reduce urination and arrest gonorrhea (a contagious inflammation of the genital mucous membrane); taking raw ginkgoes can subdue adversely rising qi, remove toxic substances and destroy parasites. The application of this herb onto the nose, face, hands and feet can remove wrinkles, scabies (contagious itch), ringworm, nasal eczema and skin infections due to lice. Taken in excess, it may be so astringent as to cause qi stagnation, cranial distention and even coma. It is said in the book that, long ago, when some hungry people ate a full meal of gingkoes instead of rice, all of them died the next day."

SIMPLIFIED MATERIA MEDICA: "This food-herb astringes the lungs to relieve coughs and dyspnea in the upper part of the body and removes turbid dampness to resolve phlegm in the lower part."