Ginkgo
Latin Name: Ginkgo biloba
Alternate Names: Maidenhair Tree, Yin Hsing (Chinese), Bai Gou (Chinese — For Seeds), Pai Kuo (Chinese — For Seeds)
Family: GINKGOACEAE
Parts Used: Leaves are harvested in fall as they start to turn yellow, because flavonoid content is highest. Seeds, nuts.
Properties: Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Antitussive, Astringent, Cerebral Tonic, Circulatory Stimulant, Expectorant, Kidney Tonic, Rejuvenative, Sedative.
Internal Uses: Alzheimer’s Disease, Anxiety, Asthma, Bladder Irritation, Blindness, Blood Clots, Cancer, Catarrh, Cerebral Arteriosclerosis, Deafness, Dementia, Depression, Diabetes, Diphtheria, Dysentery, Frequent Urination, Hearing Loss, Heart Disease, Hemorrhoids, Impotence, Incontinence, Kidney Weakness, Macular Degeneration, Memory Loss, Pain, Phlebitis, Raynaud’s Disease, Skull Injuries, Stroke, Tinnitus, Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Vaginitis, Varicose Veins, Vascular Disease, Vertigo
Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.
The different parts of the plant have different properties. The leaves are an antioxidant, brain tonic, circulatory stimulant, kidney tonic, and rejuvenative. The nuts are an antibacterial, antifungal, antitussive, astringent, expectorant, and sedative. As with the properties, different parts of the plant are used for different purposes. The leaves are used for Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, asthma, blindness, blood clots, cerebral arteriosclerosis, deafness, dementia, depression, hearing loss, hemorrhoids, impotence, macular degeneration, memory loss, nerve deafness, pain in the extremities, plebitis, poor circulation, Reynaud’s disease, senility, skull injuries, stroke, tinnitus, varicose veins, vertigo, and vision loss. The nuts are used for asthma, bladder irritation, cancer, catarrh, diabetes, diphtheria, dysentery, weak kidneys, incontinence, typhoid, tinnitus, tuberculosis, frequent urination, vaginal infection, and peripheral vascular disease.
Ginkgo helps to relax blood vessels so that more nutrients can be delivered to the body. It helps the brain utilize oxygen and glucose better and improves peripheral circulation, yet does not keep one awake. It increases cerebral blood flow and the rate at which information is transmitted. Ginkgo also has an anti-aggretory effect on blood platelets.
Culinary uses: Inner seeds are edible if roasted. In ancient Chinese and Japanese cultures, they were used to prevent drunkeness.
Energetics: Sweet, Bitter, Neutral, Dry.
Chemical Constituents: Leaves contain flavonoids (ginkgolide, quercitin, kaempferol), ginkgolic acid, bilobetin, pro-anthocyanidins, ascorbic acid, carotenoids. Nuts contain essential oil, fatty acid, tannin, resin.
Contraindications: Fruit from the female trees may cause contact dermatitis or mouth lesions. Do not eat the pulp of the fruit. The nut is not suggested for long term use. Excess use may cause fever, headache and irritability. Side effects from using Ginkgo leaves are rare, however large amounts have been reported to cause gastrointestinal disturbances and headaches.
Comments: Ginkgo is native to northern China. It is considered the world’s oldest tree species and has a high resistance to disease, insects and pollution. The leaves have been placed in books to repel bookworms.
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