Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
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.
Active Compounds
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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