Ginkgo biloba - Maidenhair Tree

Common Names: Ginkgo, ginkgo tree, maidenhair tree, fossil tree, Adiantifolia, Bai Guo Ye, Baiguo, Japanese silver apricot, Kew tree, Yen Xing, Yinhsing, Pei Go Su Ye, Noyer du Japon, Salisburia adiantifolia, gingko, jinan

Latin Name: Ginkgo biloba

Origin: Asia, Europe, South America, North America

Short Introduction

Unlike many trees, Ginkgo grows relatively slowly, averaging 30 cm per year. It does not tolerate full shade and prefers warm, moist locations, though not waterlogged. The best growth occurs in humus-rich, well-draining soil. Ginkgo tolerates industrial environments well and is highly resistant to pests and major diseases. It grows commonly in temperate zones, easily withstanding frost down to -20°C. In the Czech Republic, Ginkgo often grows wild, and in parks, males are most commonly found. Pollen may be highly irritating to allergy sufferers. Ginkgo can be propagated simply by sowing seeds or vegetatively—using immature cuttings about 20 cm long, taken from late July to August and planted in a cold frame. It can also be propagated by grafting or layering branches.

Detailed Description

For better memory and mood, Ginkgo is here for you!

Botanical Information

Ginkgo biloba is a dioecious, robust, deciduous, long-lived tree with a conical crown, reaching up to 50 meters in height. The oldest known specimen resides in Guizhou Province, China, and is about 4,700 years old. It has a broad, deeply furrowed grey trunk. Young branches are mainly horizontal, later growing irregularly, and its deep root system makes it highly resistant to wind and snowstorms. The leaves, petiolate and green (yellowing in autumn), are flat and fan-shaped, divided into two lobes, and appear in clusters at regular intervals along the twigs. As a gymnosperm, Ginkgo does not produce flowers. The trees are either male or female: males produce catkin-like pollen cones, while females develop clusters of ovules on stalks, usually in pairs. Pollen is wind-dispersed, and once mature, the seeds drop directly from the tree. Ginkgo typically begins to bear seeds after about 30 years of growth.

Origin and Distribution

Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest living tree species on Earth, often referred to as a "living fossil"—a term that, far from being negative, speaks to its incredible resilience and heritage. It is believed to have originated in southwestern China and the Tibetan plateau, but now grows in temperate regions around the world. In the wild, Ginkgo thrives along riverbanks, roadsides, slopes, and cliff edges. The tree can also produce new shoots from aerial roots, effectively 'cloning' itself if damaged or if the soil shifts.

Usage / Dosage

Ginkgo is beloved for its unique leaf shape, which has come to symbolize resilience and longevity. It serves as the official tree of Tokyo, with its leaf emblem representing the city. Ginkgo is commonly planted as a ceremonial or ornamental tree in urban avenues and parks. In traditional Chinese and Japanese cuisine, the fleshy seeds (with the outer skin removed) are soaked in salty water, roasted, and served on their own or added to desserts and sweet treats—but always in moderation due to their potency.

Its greatest value lies in its medicinal leaves (folium ginkgo bilobae), which are collected for their specific pharmacological benefits. These compounds help dilate blood vessels in the brain, assisting in stroke prevention, reducing heart attack risk, and protecting against neurodegenerative changes associated with aging and memory loss. Symptoms of so-called "cerebral insufficiency" like confusion, memory issues, fatigue, headache, drowsiness, depressive mood and poor concentration have been shown to improve with Ginkgo supplementation.

Ginkgo extracts and herbal blends are among the most prescribed phytotherapeutics worldwide for their nootropic properties at advanced age or in various phases of dementia and memory impairment. Since 2000, Ginkgo extract has even been classified as an "antidementia" agent alongside cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. Studies have demonstrated a dose-dependent improvement in recall and memory—objectively confirmed in EEG results of both middle-aged and older patients. Ginkgo is thus believed to support normal brain cell function.

In one study, 50 patients with cerebrovascular problems received Ginkgo compounds or placebo for one month. The Ginkgo group showed improvement in motor skills, comprehension, verbal communication, mood, nausea reduction, mood enhancement, and less fatigue. Other research found that combining Ginkgo with antidepressants positively influenced mood and may hold therapeutic potential for depression.

The main bioactive constituents are quercetin, catechins, ginkgolides, bilobalide, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins. Ginkgo compounds inhibit platelet-activating factor (PAF), stimulate NO production in blood vessels, enhancing blood flow to the brain and periphery. Decades of clinical studies support Ginkgo's benefits in microcirculation and better vascular perfusion throughout the body, possibly alleviating symptoms such as tinnitus, dizziness, and related vestibular disorders.

Ginkgo biloba extract is also a powerful free radical scavenger, showing neuroprotective and antiapoptotic effects, including mitigating beta-amyloid neurotoxicity and providing defense against hypoxia and increased oxidative stress. The overall benefits are antioxidant and help prevent cellular death. Laboratory studies have demonstrated Ginkgo's capacity to neutralize specific free radicals (including superoxide, hydroxyl, DPPH, nitric oxide, and more) in a dose-dependent manner. Additional studies found in vivo effects on inhibiting lipid peroxidation and reducing platelet aggregation, lending support for its use in atherosclerosis treatment and harnessing its antioxidant properties to improve general health. The inhibition of cholesterol peroxidation may benefit the cardiovascular system.

For diabetic patients with vision issues (diabetic retinopathy), regular use of Ginkgo leaf extract improved color perception, and long-term use over 12 years improved visual fields in normotensive glaucoma patients. Preliminary research suggests that those with leg pain from poor microcirculation found definite improvement with Ginkgo extract after at least 24 weeks.

Traditional Medicine

In Chinese medicine, Ginkgo has long been used to treat circulatory disorders, asthma, tinnitus, vertigo, frostbite, declining cognitive function, and senility. Folk healers also recommend it for sexual dysfunction, post-chemotherapy anxiety, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, and seasonal depression.

Active Compounds

Ginkgo biloba leaves contain various terpenoids (ginkgolides A, B, C, J; bilobalide), biflavones, flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, bilobetin, ginkgetin), flavonoid and flavonol glycosides, di- and triglycosides (myricetin, isorhamnetin, rhamnoside derivatives, methylmyricetin derivatives), terpene trilactones, coumarin esters, terpenes, proanthocyanidins, carboxylic and phenolic acids, alkylphenols, steroids, polyphenols, and vitamin C.

Traditional Dosage

Dosage depends on the nature of the condition and the product formulation. There is no standard universal dose of Ginkgo biloba. For dementia prevention, typically 40 mg of standardized Ginkgo leaf extract was given (subject to adjustment for compounds present). To improve cognitive functions, daily doses ranging from 120 mg to 600 mg of the same standardized extract have been used for periods from 4 weeks up to 4 months. Treatment usually starts at 120 mg and increases to a maximum of 600 mg divided into 2 or 3 doses. For anxiety, 80–160 mg of Ginkgo extract daily for at least 1 month is recommended. Some studies have used 0.5 ml tincture (1:5 ratio of dried leaf) taken 3 times daily.