The Ginkgo Herb

(Western and Chinese Herb)

Ginkgo biloba

The Ginkgo herb is also known as Maidenhair Tree, Buddha’s Fingernails, Flying Moth Leaf, Duck-foot, and Yin-hsing.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

The Ginkgo tree is large and deciduous which can grow to 130 feet in height.

The leaves are yellowish green, fan-shaped and deeply notched so that they form two lobes.

The Ginkgo tree trunk is erect and the bark is gray and cracked. The branches form a dense crown when old. This may be the reason it is a popular ornamental tree. There are male and female flowers and fruits borne on separate trees.

The Ginkgo herb is native to China and is cultivated in China, France, Japan, and in the southern and eastern United States.

Ginkgo is the world’s most-used herb for degenerative diseases of the brain and central nervous system and memory loss. It increases blood circulation and inhibits excessive blood clotting.

The Ginkgo Biloba herb helps the body to increase its production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a compound that is the main source of energy at the cellular level. This beneficial activity has been shown to boost the brain’s metabolism of glucose for energy and to increase its electrical activity.

It also has flavonoids that act specifically to dilate the micro-capillaries, which has a widespread effect on all the body’s organs, especially the brain.

It also provides powerful antioxidant properties in the brain, the cardiovascular system and in the retina of the eye. This activity may help prevent age-related declines in brain function and free-radical damage.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* Alzheimer’s disease

* Parkinson’s disease

* Raynaud’s syndrome

* Multiple sclerosis

* memory loss

* lack of concentration

* mental fatigue

* anxiety

* depression

* attention deficit disorder

* cancer

* cataracts and floaters

* glaucoma and macular degeneration

* diabetes

* diabetic retinopathy

* impotence and diminished sex drive

* intermittent claudication (poor circulation that causes pain in the legs)

* heart attack

* stroke

* tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

PREPARATION:

The Ginkgo herb is available in dry bulk, capsules, tincture, extract, and tea in health food stores and herb gardens.

Parts used: Leaves, seeds

Collection: Leaves of the Ginkgo tree are harvested as they turn from green to yellow in the Fall.

Constituents: Gingkolides, bilobalide, flavonoids, gibberellin, gink golic acid, ginnol

Actions: Antioxidant, astringent, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory cardic tonic, vermifuge, tonic

SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS:

The Ginkgo Biloba herb is usually well tolerated but:

* Should not be given to children without a doctor’s supervision.

* Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing.

* It can increase the risk of bleeding if you are on blooding thinning medication.

* Some people, when taking large doses have experienced diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, irritability, and restlessness. If this occurs, reduce dose or discontinue use.