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Ginkgo biloba (maidenhair tree)

This page contains information on ginkgo biloba and how it is used as a herb in alternative herbal treatments to treat ailments and problems. It is used to promote mental alertness, improving memory and to treat asthma and also a role in male sexual functioning.

On this page

Botanical classification of ginkgo biloba
Description of ginkgo biloba
Parts used
Properties of ginkgo biloba
Internal use
External use
Use of essential oil
Safety precautions and warnings
Used in the following products
Herbal Index

Please note that we are not advocating that people stop using their normal medication, but would like to make people aware that some alternative therapies can be very effective to help treat problems and create a healthier, younger and more vital you. For more information on our range of products, please click here.

Although we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.

Botanical Classification

Family	Ginkgoaceae
Genus and specie	Ginkgo biloba L.

Other names

Maidenhair tree, Buddha's fingernails, flying moth leaf, and duck-foot.

Description of the herb ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a large deciduous tree. The tree trunk is erect and the branches form a dense crown when old. The bark is gray and very cracked. Leaves are fan-shaped and yellowish green. The male flowers are yellow and hang in thick, pendulous catkins. The female flowers are round, solitary and on long stalks, followed by yellowish fruits, which have a nasty smell when ripe.

Parts used

The leaves and seeds are used.

Properties

Ginkgo biloba is a bittersweet, astringent herb that dilates the bronchial tubes, blood vessels and controls allergic responses. The leaves stimulate the circulation and the seeds have anti-fungal and antibacterial effects.

It contains flavonoids (flavonol glycoside and non-glycosidid biflavonoids), unique diterpene lactones (gingolides A, B, C, J and M) as well as a sesquiterpenoid (bilobalide).

Therapeutic uses

Internal use
- It is used internally to combat asthma, allergic inflammatory responses, senile dementia, to aid in mental alertness, improving memory, circulatory complaints and varicose veins.
- The leaf extract has shown good results in combating various symptoms of cerebrovascular insufficiency, as well as dementia, such as memory loss, disturbed concentration, dizziness, mood swings and morbus Alzheimer.
- Some studies have also shown the extract to be effective in treating tinnitus.
- The leaves are used to stabilize an irregular heartbeat and the seeds are useful for coughs with thick phlegm and urinary incontinence.
- Since Gingko biloba improves blood flow, and especially microcirculation, it is helpful to increase blood flow to the genitals by stimulating the action of the endothelium derived relaxing factor and appears to be very effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction caused by a lack of proper blood flow to the genitals.
- The seeds are used in Chinese medicine and work on the "Lung" and "Kidney" meridians and are used for asthmatic disorders.
- The seeds are also roasted and eaten as a snack and are also used in soups, stir fries and stews.
- Edible oil is also obtained from the seeds.
External use
- None noted.
Aromatherapy and essential oil use
- None noted.

Safety precautions and warnings

Ingesting large amounts of the material as well as the seeds may cause dermatitis, headaches, diarrhea and vomiting.

Taking ginkgo orally may increase the effects of blood thinning medication.

Used in the following of our products

None.

Herbal index

To promote the interest and use of herbs and natural complementary health alternatives, we have included information on the following herbs.

Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us.
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You are as young as your faith, as old as your fear and as long as your heart receives messages of beauty, cheer, courage, grandeur, and power - from the earth, from man and from the Infinite - so long will you stay Ageless.

Information contained on this website is for general information purposes only and must not be used to treat or diagnose medical conditions, and all health problems must be referred to a health care professional. Statements made regarding the products, ingredients and general information have not been evaluated by the FDA, or any other health authority, and should not be seen as health claims.
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Our site was last updated on 3 March 2010.

Ginkgo biloba (maidenhair tree)

Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us.