Everything You Need to Know About

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Botanical family: Ginkgoaceae
Parts used: Leaves
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Left Image

Overview and Health Benefits

Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as ginkgo, is a plant steeped in ancient tradition, having been used in traditional Chinese medicine primarily as a tonic for the elderly. In the West, it has gained recognition for its potential health benefits, particularly in enhancing cerebral function. Extensive research has revealed that ginkgo may support not only the cardiovascular system but also offer antioxidative properties, improve blood flow, and reduce inflammation. These effects are believed to contribute to its utility in managing conditions like vascular dementia and possibly aiding in the treatment of cognitive decline and peripheral artery disease. As a result, ginkgo continues to be a focal point of interest in both herbal and conventional medical fields, underscoring its importance and versatility as a medicinal plant.

Key Benefits:

  • Cognitive function
  • Circulatory support
  • Immune support
  • Eyes
  • Nervous system

Much research has been undertaken on the beneficial effects of Ginkgo for elderly patients who may be suffering from a decline in cognitive function, with positive results. showing general enhancement and improvements in memory, selective attention and executive function (Kaschel, 2009). Ginkgo has also shown improved behaviour, attention, word recognition and cognition in children with Dyslexia, ADHD and Down syndrome. (Donfrancesco & Ferrante, 2007; Niederhofer, 2010; Donfrancesco, & Dell’uomo, 2004).

In addition to supporting cerebral blood flow and perfusion (hence being supportive for cognition) and inhibiting vasospasm - contraction in blood vessels that can lead to damaged areas of the brain or other organs- , Ginkgo is also anti-thrombotic, in other words it prevents clot formation and the subsequent health problems that can ensue. Ginkgo has also been found to increase peripheral blood flow without affecting blood pressure (Jung et al., 1990) and is prescribed in Korea for Reynaud’s (Choi et al., 2009).

Ginkgolides, one of the primary active constituents in Ginkgo biloba, have been found to control the allergic response when given in high doses and prevent tightening of the airways while improving peak-flow measurements in asthmatic patients (Braquet, 1986; Li, Zhang & Yang, 1997).

Research on the benefits of Ginkgo in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia have revealed that it acts in a neuroprotective way, that is protects the nerve cells from oxidative stress with some evidence that beta amyloid aggregation - known as one of the chief causes of dementia (Gouras, Olsson & Hansson, 2015) - is prevented by Ginkgo extract (Bastianetto et al., 2000). Other studies have revealed that Ginkgo can positively affect dopamine levels, act as an anxiolytic and has demonstrated antidepressant activity (Bone & Mills, 2013).

Thought to be useful in macular degeneration Ginkgo has been shown to improve visual acuity over time (Lebuisson, Leroy & Rigal, 1986), and there is ongoing research in its value for glaucoma. Its role in improving blood flow has also been applied to patients with diabetic retinopathy demonstrating improved circulation to the retina (Huang et al., 2004).

Safety Profile

Care should be taken with anti-platelet and anticoagulant medications as Ginkgo may have a similar action, and it should be avoided when having surgery. Sometimes headaches are reported, so dosage needs monitoring. It is freely available from health food shops and as such is often self-prescribed, but as with all herbal supplements, if you are taking any medication or have a pre-existing condition, talk to a qualified herbalist and if any adverse effects occur then stop taking it. 

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Key Body Systems Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) relates to

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Respiratory system
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Cardiovascular and Circulatory
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Nervous system

Energetics

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Warming
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Drying

Key actions

Nootropic; Circulatory stimulant; Anti-inflammatory; Neuroprotective; Antioxidant

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Key uses

Enhancing cognitive function; Improving memory & concentration; Improving blood circulation (particularly in the brain and extremities)

Where to Find Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

What it looks like and where to find it

Ginkgo is a deciduous tree that grows up to 25m or much taller if allowed. Younger trees are conical and they become more irregular as they age. The bi-lobed (2 lobes) leaves (where the name comes from) are fan-shaped and can be up to 12 cm across; they are green and turn yellow in the autumn. There are tiny flowers on the female trees, which turn into foetid plum-like yellow fruits when the leaves turn. The seeds within the unpleasant smelling fruits are toxic to pets and can be harmful to humans, so definitely not something to nibble when foraging. The leaves are used medicinally and offer different benefits depending on the method of extraction, so self-prescribing is not advised. The tree is native to China, but can be seen in the UK as an ornamental in parks, gardens and city centres. 

References

Bastianetto, S., Ramassamy, C., Doré, S., Christen, Y., Poirier, J., & Quirion, R. (2000). The Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) protects hippocampal neurons against cell death induced by beta-amyloid. The European journal of neuroscience, 12(6), 1882–1890. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1460-9568.2000.00069.x

Bone, K. & Mills, S.,(2013). Principles and practice of phytotherapy (2nd ed.). Elsevier.

Braquet P. (1986). Proofs of involvement of PAF-acether in various immune disorders using BN 52021 (ginkgolide B): a powerful PAF-acether antagonist isolated from Ginkgo biloba L. Advances in prostaglandin, thromboxane, and leukotriene research, 16, 179–198. 

Choi, W. S., Choi, C. J., Kim, K. S., Lee, J. H., Song, C. H., Chung, J. H., Ock, S. M., Lee, J. B., & Kim, C. M. (2009). To compare the efficacy and safety of nifedipine sustained release with Ginkgo biloba extract to treat patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon in South Korea; Korean Raynaud study (KOARA study). Clinical rheumatology, 28(5), 553–559. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-008-1084-9

Donfrancesco, R., & Dell'uomo, A. (2004). Ginkgo biloba in Down Syndrome. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 11(6), 469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2004.03.002

Donfrancesco, R., & Ferrante, L. (2007). Ginkgo biloba in dyslexia: a pilot study. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 14(6), 367–370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2007.05.001

Gouras, G. K., Olsson, T. T., & Hansson, O. (2015). β-Amyloid peptides and amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease. Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, 12(1), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-014-0313-y

Huang, S. Y., Jeng, C., Kao, S. C., Yu, J. J., & Liu, D. Z. (2004). Improved haemorrheological properties by Ginkgo biloba extract (Egb 761) in type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with retinopathy. Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), 23(4), 615–621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2003.10.010

Jung, F., Mrowietz, C., Kiesewetter, H., & Wenzel, E. (1990). Effect of Ginkgo biloba on fluidity of blood and peripheral microcirculation in volunteers. Arzneimittel-Forschung, 40(5), 589–593. 

Kaschel R. (2009). Ginkgo biloba: specificity of neuropsychological improvement--a selective review in search of differential effects. Human psychopharmacology, 24(5), 345–370. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.1037

Lebuisson, D. A., Leroy, L., & Rigal, G. (1986). Traitement des dégénérescences "maculaires séniles" par l'extrait de Ginkgo biloba. Etude préliminaire à double insu face au placebo [Treatment of senile macular degeneration with Ginkgo biloba extract. A preliminary double-blind drug vs. placebo study]. Presse medicale (Paris, France : 1983), 15(31), 1556–1558.

 

Li, M. H., Zhang, H. L., & Yang, B. Y. (1997). Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi [Effects of ginkgo leave concentrated oral liquor in treating asthma] Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi = Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine, 17(4), 216–218.

 

Niederhofer H. (2010). Ginkgo biloba treating patients with attention-deficit disorder. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 24(1), 26–27. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2854