Baiguo, also known as ginkgo fruit, contains various nutrients and can be both consumed as food and used in medicine. It has the effects of nourishing the lungs and relieving cough. However, poisoning from consuming baiguo often occurs. How many baiguo can cause poisoning?
How many baiguo can cause poisoning symptoms?
Generally 10 to 50 pieces.
Baiguo contains toxic substances such as ginkgolides, cyanoglycosides, and baiguolic acid. Both the outer skin and the seeds are toxic. Eating raw or consuming excessively can lead to poisoning. Baiguo poisoning is more common in children, with 7 to 10 pieces enough to cause poisoning in children, while for adults it is 10 to 50 pieces.
What are the symptoms of baiguo poisoning?
Digestive system symptoms
After consuming baiguo poisoning, common digestive symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Nervous system symptoms
Baiguo poisoning can affect the nervous system, leading to restlessness, headache, slow reaction, seizures, muscle rigidity, convulsions, limb weakness, paralysis, and difficulty breathing.
Severe cases
Baiguo is highly toxic, and severe poisoning symptoms often include difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, respiratory failure, cyanosis, pulmonary edema, and heart failure.
Few cases
In a few cases of baiguo poisoning, peripheral nerve dysfunction, delayed sensation, flaccid paralysis, and weakened knee reflexes may occur.
How much baiguo can be consumed at once?
Approximately 5 to 10 grams.
The toxins in the outer skin of baiguo, known as "ginkgo toxins," should be removed before consumption. Excessive consumption of baiguo is extremely dangerous and can severely damage health. Generally, consuming 5 to 10 grams of baiguo at once is sufficient. Remember not to overindulge.
How to consume baiguo without poisoning?
1. Soak
Although baiguo contains toxins, these toxins can dissolve in water. It is recommended to soak baiguo in clean water for 3 to 4 hours.
2. Cook thoroughly
Under high temperature conditions, toxins will be destroyed, reducing the toxicity of baiguo. It is important to cook baiguo thoroughly before consumption.
3. Remove the core
The baiguo core also contains toxins. It is safer to remove the core before consumption. After cooking baiguo, remove the outer skin and squeeze out the baiguo core.
Can baiguo be consumed daily?
No.
Baiguo contains starch, vitamins, sugars, as well as trace elements such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It has the effects of beautifying the skin, relieving phlegm and cough, anti-aging, and reducing cholesterol. As the saying goes, "Every medicine has its toxic side." Baiguo is a cough suppressant herb. Long-term consumption may cause discomfort to the body. It is recommended to use it under the guidance of a doctor.
