What is ginkgo?

Ginkgo is a large tree of up to 35 meter high. Ginkgo belongs to the ginkgo family or Ginkgoaceae. The leaves are shaped like a fan and are notched at the top. The ginkgo leaves show typical parallel veins. Male and female flowers grow on different trees. The oval pendulous fruits grow in great abundance on female ginkgo trees. The ginkgo fruits ripen in autumn in mushy and malodorous mess. Ginkgo trees only bear fruits until after they are about twenty years of age.
Ginkgo is a strong tree that can grow in almost any temperate climate and is resistant to pollution and diseases. This is why male ginkgo trees are very popular in cities.

Parts used

Mainly the Ginkgo leaves are uses, sometimes also the seeds.

Phytochemicals

These are typical phytochemicals found in ginkgo: ginkgolides, bilobalide, flavonoids.

Benefits of ginkgo

Ginkgo originates from China but is now cultivated in the USA, China and France. Ginkgo extract stimulates the blood circulation to the brains. Ginkgo extracts are used to treat patients with memory loss, dizziness, sleep disorders, dementia, tinnitus and peripheral circulatory disorders. In China, the ginkgo leaves are still used to strengthen the heart and lungs and to treat chilblains.
Ginkgo extract has also antioxidant properties. The presence of flavonoids in the ginkgo extract is responsible for plant high degree of antioxidant property.

Other facts

Ginkgo has been used in Chinese medicine for more than 2800 years. Ginkgo is a very old tree. Over the past 200 million years he ginkgo tree has remained basically unchanged. Because of survivability of the ginkgo tree it was believed to promote longevity and has been called The Fountain of Youth.

Other names

Bai guo, kew tree, maidenhair tree