Ginkgo Biloba

Common Name: Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree

Family: Ginkgoaceae

Chinese Medicine Names: Yinxing, Baiguoshu, Yazhangshu, Gongsunshu, Fozhijia, and Lingyan

Parts Used: Leaf, Seed

Native To: Southeastern China

Geographic Distribution: Cultivated worldwide

Botanical Description
Ginkgo is a unique, ancient tree known for its fan-shaped leaves with two or more lobes, which resemble the maidenhair ferns. The leaves turn a brilliant yellow in autumn, contributing to its appeal as an ornamental tree. Male trees are primarily cultivated for horticulture, while female trees produce large seeds encased in a fleshy, plum-like coat with a characteristic rancid odor when decaying. Ginkgo trees can grow up to 40 meters (130 feet) tall and are known for their resilience, surviving in various harsh conditions. The bark of older trees becomes cork-like with deep fissures.

Key Constituents
Flavone glycosides, proanthocyanidins, terpene lactones (ginkgolides and bilobalides), quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, and coumaric acid esters of flavonoids.

Sustainability Issues
Ginkgo is widely cultivated and not rare, though it is listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List due to its rarity in the wild.

Harvesting Guidelines
Ginkgo thrives in moist, sandy soil with full to partial sunlight. Propagation can occur through seeds, grafting, or cuttings. Leaves are harvested in the fall when they turn yellow, with branches pruned and leaves dried until crisp.

Uses
Ginkgo biloba has a long medicinal history, particularly in improving circulation and cognitive function. Known as a “living fossil,” ginkgo is one of the oldest tree species, with fossils dating back over 250 million years. Some ginkgo trees in China, Japan, and Korea are over 1000 years old. Ginkgo’s medicinal use is often attributed to its flavone glycosides, which provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and terpene lactones, which support vascular health and brain circulation. It also contains proanthocyanidins, which have potent free radical scavenging properties, further enhancing its antioxidant activity.

Ginkgo’s circulation-enhancing properties help treat conditions like tinnitus, vertigo, macular degeneration, and certain types of hair loss. It also supports cognitive health, improving mental clarity and focus, and may aid in dementia, depression, and ADD/ADHD. It is often used to reduce the risk of blood clots, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis by inhibiting platelet aggregation. Ginkgo’s seeds also show antitussive, expectorant, and mild astringent properties, benefiting respiratory health.

Traditional Benefits
In traditional Chinese medicine, ginkgo is used to treat asthma, chronic cough, and leukorrhea. Its primary medicinal action is on the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach channels. Western herbalism associates it with the brain, circulatory system, and cardiovascular health. It has gained recognition as a nootropic, helping to improve memory and cognitive function.

Energetics
Ginkgo’s energetic qualities are seen as stimulating, particularly in the brain and circulatory system. It has a cooling nature, supporting mental clarity and calming the body’s response to stress.

Safety Considerations
While ginkgo is generally safe, consuming raw seeds can be toxic due to the presence of ginkgotoxin, which can cause symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency if consumed in large quantities. The seeds should be cooked thoroughly before consumption. Ginkgo may also have mild anticoagulant effects, so caution is advised for individuals taking blood-thinning medications.