Rootwork

Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba

GinkgoaceaeEastern China (now extinct in wild)

Description

overall appearance

Deciduous tree growing 50-120 feet tall with distinctive fan-shaped leaves and a broad, spreading crown at maturity.

roots

Deep taproot system with extensive lateral roots; forms symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi.

stem

Straight trunk with gray-brown bark that becomes deeply furrowed with age; branches spread horizontally with short spur shoots.

leaves

Unique fan-shaped (bilobed) leaves 2-5 inches across with parallel venation, bright green turning golden yellow in fall; leaves clustered on short shoots.

flowers

Dioecious (separate male and female trees); male flowers in catkins, female flowers solitary; wind-pollinated, appearing before leaves.

fruits/seeds

Female trees produce plum-like seeds with fleshy, malodorous outer layer and edible inner nut; seeds mature in fall.

Botanical illustration of Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Active Compounds

Flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin)Terpenoids (ginkgolides A, B, C and bilobalide)Organic acids and amino acidsProanthocyanidinsGinkgolic acids (allergenic compounds removed in quality extracts)

Traditional Uses

  • Traditional Chinese Medicine for lung and kidney support
  • Seed used for respiratory conditions, urinary disorders
  • Memory enhancement and cognitive support
  • Circulation improvement, especially to extremities
  • Asthma and respiratory allergies
  • Tinnitus and hearing problems

Modern Applications

  • Cognitive function and memory enhancement
  • Peripheral circulation improvement
  • Tinnitus and vertigo treatment
  • Intermittent claudication (poor leg circulation)
  • Age-related macular degeneration
  • Anxiety and depression support
  • Antioxidant and neuroprotective effects

⚠️ Safety Information

Contraindications

  • Bleeding disorders or before surgery
  • Known allergy to ginkgo
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
  • Epilepsy (may lower seizure threshold)

Side Effects

  • Mild digestive upset, headache, dizziness
  • Increased bleeding risk
  • Skin allergic reactions (especially from fresh leaves)
  • Potential interactions with blood-thinning medications

Drug Interactions

  • Blood-thinning medications (warfarin, aspirin)
  • Anticonvulsant medications
  • Diabetes medications (may affect blood sugar)
  • Thiazide diuretics

Parts Used

  • Leaves (standardized extracts)
  • Seeds (in Traditional Chinese Medicine)
  • Rarely bark or other parts

Preparation Methods

EGb 761 and similar standardized preparations

1-2 teaspoons dried leaves, though less effective than extracts

1:5 ratio in 60% alcohol, 1-3 ml three times daily

Standardized extract in capsule form

Cooked seeds in Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.