Ginkgo Seed bái guǒ · 白果

Safety. Read this first: ginkgo seed is toxic, and the poisoning is documented rather than theoretical. It contains ginkgotoxin (4'-O-methylpyridoxine), which interferes with vitamin B6 and has caused seizures, particularly in children eating raw seeds or large amounts; reported cases include deaths. Raw seed is more toxic than cooked, heating reduces but does not remove the risk, and no amount of traditional preparation turns it into a food. Do not give it to children. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Because the toxicity presents as seizures, anyone with epilepsy or taking medicine that lowers the seizure threshold should not use it; its interaction with anticonvulsant and anticoagulant medicine has not been adequately studied. The seed is not ginkgo leaf extract, and safety findings about one do not transfer to the other.