Ginkgo Biloba is one of the oldest Medicinal Herbs used by Herbalists in Herbal Medicine.

Group: Ginkgophyta - Order: Ginkgoales - Family: Ginkgoaceae - Genus: ginkgo

Ginkgo Biloba Trees occupy such a unique position in nature, botanists have found it as difficult to classify as the public has found it difficult to spell! Ginkgo Biloba is misspelled ginko biloba, gingko biloba and gingo biloba more often than you will see it spelled correctly.

Plant Type:

• Ginkgo trees are medium-large trees, normally reaching a height from 60 to 120 feet. Some specimens in China have grown to reach 165 feet in height. Also known as the maidenhair tree it is the oldest living tree species worldwide.

• Ginkgo Biloba tree has lived unchanged in China for more than 300 million years. Individual trees can live for more than 1,000 years. This is in large part due to its resistance to fungi, insects, viruses, pollution and radiation.

information about Ginkgo Biloba  and its uses in Herbal Medicine:

• Ginkgo Biloba Tea is not commonly used. The ginkgo leaves do not contain sufficient levels of the active constituents needed to provide adequate dosage to provide any curative benefit.

• Ginkgo Biloba Seeds have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for several thousand years. Ginkgo seeds are occasionally eaten after they are cooked.

• Ginkgo leaf extracts are used to make various forms of herbal medicine such as tablets, capsules, or teas. More recently, ginkgo leaf extract has been used to treat circulatory diseases and a variety of other ailments including asthma, bronchitis, fatigue, and ringing ears.

• Ginkgo Biloba has restorative effects on the central nervous system. It is also used to help increase circulation in the brain and has antioxidant properties.

• Alzheimer’s disease and Tinnitus research into the use of Ginkgo has shown some promising results, but larger, well-designed research studies are needed.

• Numerous studies of Ginkgo have been done for a variety of health conditions. Ginkgo is also being studied for asthma, symptoms of multiple sclerosis, vascular function, cognitive decline, sexual dysfunction due to antidepressants, and insulin resistance. It is so widely used that interactions between ginkgo and prescription drugs are also being studied.

• A large clinical trial of ginkgo has been conducted, the aim of which is to see if the herb prevents the onset of dementia and, Alzheimer’s disease. A study, the results of which were published in 2002, found that when gingko biloba is taken following the manufacturer's instructions, it provides no benefit to the memory of adults older than 60 who have a healthy memory. As you can see the results are mixed.

Ginkgo Biloba  benefits seem to far outweigh  adverse side effects of ginkgo biloba:

• Ginkgo Biloba or ginkgo, when used as an herbal medicine and taken in large doses, can cause diarrhea, vomiting and dizziness. Other side effects of ginkgo may include headache, nausea, or allergic skin reactions. More severe allergic reactions have occasionally been reported.

• Bleeding risk has been suggested by some data as a possible danger of taking Ginkgo. People who take anticoagulant drugs, have bleeding disorders, or have scheduled surgery or dental procedures should talk to a health care provider before using ginkgo.

• Uncooked ginkgo seeds contain a chemical known as ginkgo toxin, which can cause seizures. Consuming large quantities of seeds over time can cause death.

• Ginkgo leaf and ginkgo leaf extracts appear to be safer because of low levels of ginkgo toxin.

Before deciding to take ginkgo, use good judgment. It is always good to inform your health care providers about any supplements that you are using which might contain Ginkgo Biloba.

• Growing Herbs Home Page |
• Contact the Publisher |
• About Our Site |
• Top of Page

Growing-Herbs.com © 2010 | All Rights Reserved