Ginkgo and Its Herbal Healing Uses

Latin name: Ginkgo biloba

Common name(s): Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree

Ginkgo is the oldest species of tree in the world. It is the only tree to survive the atomic blast of Hiroshima. The Ginkgo tree is known to be a hardy tree that can live over one thousand years. The Chinese claim that they nurtured and protected it during the ice age. In monasteries across the orient it is planted and looked after dutifully by the monks in the monastery.

The Ginkgo tree is and erect deciduous tree that has furrowed gray bark when it is young and it has leaves that are fan shaped that turn yellow in the autumn. It produces male and female flowers. The male flowers are thick and yellow; and pendulous catkins. The female flowers are solitary round flowers on long stalks. The flowers are followed by plum like fruits that are yellowish-green in color and smell unpleasant when they are ripe.

Ginkgo is used in the treatment of aging, memory loss, memory confusion and poor blood circulation. Ginkgo aids in the treatment of memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia because it improves the circulation of blood to the central nervous system. It also improves the hearing because of the improvement of blood circulation according to ‘Herbal Health Secrets’ by Richard M. Lucas.

Ginkgo is an adaptogen, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, anti-tussive, astringent, bitter, expectorant, nervine, parasiticide, sedative, circulatory, stimulant and vaso-dilator. Ginkgo biloba improves mental clarity and alertness because it stimulates the circulation in the cerebral cells and tissue. The parts of the ginkgo tree that are used in herbal healing are the leaves, oil and seeds.

Ginkgo is a bitter sweet astringent herb that has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Ginkgo is excellent for asthma, cerebral insufficiency, Raymond’s disease and senile dementia. Extract of ginkgo enhances the ability of the body to transmit electrical impulses throughout the body. It also helps to prevent macular degeneration in the eye. Ginkgo seeds can be roasted and eaten as a snack or a garnish as well as add to soups and salads.

Ginkgo can be used to treat the following:

Alertness, allergies, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, anxiety attacks, asthma, attention span, blood clots, cancer, cerebral insufficiency, circulatory disorders, coughs, dementia, depression, dilates bronchial tubes, dilates blood vessels, dizziness, equilibrium, eye problems, headaches, hearing, heart problems, impotence, improves ear problems, improves mental clarity, irregular heartbeats, longevity, lung problems, memory loss, mood swings, muscular degeneration, phlegm, Raymond’s disease, senility, strokes, tinnitus, toxic shock, varicose veins, vascular disorders, urinary incontinence, vertigo and visual acuity.


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