Can Ginkgo be eaten?

Can I eat it?

It should be noted that ginkgo is toxic and should not be eaten in large quantities or directly raw. Infants should not eat it. The general poisoning dose is 10-50 pieces, and children will be poisoned if they eat 7-15 pieces raw. If symptoms of poisoning appear, go to the hospital immediately.

The way to prevent ginkgo poisoning is to soak it in clean water for more than 1 hour before eating, then cook it and finally eat it. However, the toxins in the cooked ginkgo are not completely destroyed, so it is still not advisable to eat too much.

At the same time, it is best not to touch ginkgo nuts directly with your hands. This is because the seed coat of ginkgo fruit contains a ginkgo toxin. Direct contact with the cracked fruit with your hands may cause allergies or poisoning.

In addition, ginkgo leaves cannot be eaten directly and must be processed. Drinking water soaked with ginkgo leaves also has certain risks. Avoid making tea with tea leaves and chrysanthemums. The ginkgolic acid contained in ginkgo leaves can damage the heart once the dose is reached.

The main manifestation of toxicity

1. Ginkgo contains hydrocyanic acid toxin, which is highly toxic. Its toxicity decreases when exposed to heat, so it is more likely to cause poisoning if eaten raw.

2. The seed coat of ginkgo fruit contains ginkgo toxins, which can easily cause allergic reactions in organisms. Those who touch it may experience local redness, swelling, peeling, etc., and may even suffer from anaphylactic shock.

3. The germ contains a fat-soluble substance in high levels, which is toxic to the nerves and can easily cause paralysis, peripheral nerve allergies, etc. In severe cases, it can be fatal. This type of toxin can also be stored in nuts, and the more mature they are, the higher the content.

4. The time of onset of poisoning varies, usually about 1-12 hours after consumption. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, etc., and even death from respiratory failure in severe cases of poisoning. A few may also experience sensory impairment and lower limb paralysis.