Ginkgo Biloba Tree (Maidenhair) History and Medicinal Use

The Ginkgo biloba tree, also known as the Maidenhair, is the oldest known species of tree still growing on Earth today.

It is the only surviving member of the Ginkgophyta genus. Fossil records trace its existence back to 270 million years ago, during the early Jurassic period.

Individual Ginkgo biloba trees can live to be 1,000 and 3,000 years old. They are famously robust: Following the 1945 atom bomb explosion in Hiroshima, Ginkgo biloba was one of the few species of plants that survived in the immediate blast radius.

This non-flowering tree was thought to have become extinct between 2.5 and 7 million years ago. Then, in 1691 the Ginkgo was rediscovered in Japan. These existing trees were traced back to seeds brought from China where the tree had been cultivated by Buddhist monks.

Ginkgo biloba leaves have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 4,000 years. The Ginkgo plant was cultivated both as a culinary ingredient and as a natural remedy for memory problems, low energy and circulatory disorders.

Ginkgo Biloba

Herbal Supplement

Memory Recall

Cognitive Function

Concentra- tion

How It Works:

• Supports short & long-term memory
• Improves concentration & circulation to brain
• Neuroprotective & anti-oxidant

Dosage:

Between 120 - 360 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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The Ginkgo biloba Tree

Ginkgo biloba trees grow to an average height of 20 – 35 meters and often feature irregular branching patterns when they are young, but eventually grow to resemble a pyramid structure. This tree has a very slow growth rate, and lives for many years, with some trees today believed to be over 2500 years old.

The leaves are described as wedge-like and lobed (biloba, meaning two lobes), with a bright green color that becomes yellow before the leaves are shed in the fall. The Ginkgo biloba tree is native to certain regions of China, but is now also cultivated in Europe and North America.

Both the leaves and the seeds of this tree have been used historically, but it is the leaf extract that is most commonly used for its medicinal benefits. The leaves contain a number of phytochemicals such as proanthocyanidins, flavonoid glycosides and the triterpenoid lactones, ginkgolides and bilobalides.

In China, it is the seeds (baiguo) more than the leaves which are used in medicine. The seed with the pulp removed is considered both a delicacy and effective medicine in the East. However, the pulp must be removed to make the Ginkgo seeds safe as they are poisonous if eaten raw.

Phytonutrients in Ginkgo biloba Leaves

The Ginkgo biloba tree is a source of several phytonutrients that exhibit beneficial effects when used in dietary supplements. The first class of beneficial nutrients are the flavonoids, myricetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin and quercetin.

These flavonoids have been demonstrated to exert antioxidant effects in the human body when ingested. These compounds are identified as being responsible for the neuroprotective effects of Ginkgo Biloba extract.

The other class of active constituents are the terpene trilactones, ginkgolides, and bilobalides. These compounds have been found to increase blood circulation through the body and particularly to brain cells.

They work by stimulating the dilation of blood vessels and by reducing the stickiness or viscosity of blood by inhibiting platelet aggregation. By improving blood flow to brain cells, Ginkgo may enhance energy metabolism which could reduce mental fatigue and enhance cognitive processing speed.

Ginkgo biloba Tree Extract Uses

Ginkgo biloba has reportedly been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. There are documented records of its use as far back as 1436 in China. The leaves were said to be used for skin treatments, head sores, chilblains, wound dressing, and even freckles.

Today, the leaf (bai guo ye) is more widely used in Chinese medicine. It is given for hearing loss, tuberculosis, poor circulation, memory problems, stomach ache, skin diseases, high blood pressure, asthma and anxiety. The Chinese use the leaf either internally or externally, being applied topically or ingested orally.

It was not until the 1950s that researchers in Germany began investigating Ginkgo leaves to determine the active chemical compounds and potential therapeutic effects.

The company, Karlsruhe, eventually produced Tebonin EGb761 – a proprietary extract of Ginkgo leaf – in 1965. This standardized extract required 10 pounds of leaves to produce 1 pound of extract. Production methods have improved and most concentrations are now a 50:1 ratio.

In Western medicine, extracts from Ginkgo biloba tree leaves have been studied for benefits in respect to:

• Improving mental/cognitive function
• Relieving anxiety
• Improving circulation
• Improving vision particularly in diabetic patients in relation to color
• Glaucoma
• Reducing leg pain
• Relieving vertigo and/or dizziness
• Relieving the symptoms of PMS (pre menstrual stress)

The Natural Medicines database has rated Ginkgo biloba as Possibly Effective for improving symptoms of anxiety, cognitive function, dementia, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), schizophrenia, tardive dyskinesia, and vertigo.

Research on Ginkgo has been promising, however more research, especially large-scale double blind placebo trials, is still needed. At this time, Ginkgo biloba is available as a dietary supplement only, and the FDA has not approved Ginkgo biloba as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

Risk of Ginkgo Extract Side Effects

Extracts from Ginkgo biloba tree leaves are generally well tolerated by the majority of users and have been rated by the Natural Medicines database as Likely Safe when used orally and appropriately. In the majority of cases, there are no side effects reported.

However, this supplement does interact with the mechanisms of action of certain pharmaceutical drugs, so it is important to speak to your doctor before using this product.

Ginkgo leaf extract supplements could interact with drugs such as Warfarin (Coumadin) that have anti-coagulant effects. Both of these substances could slow blood clotting, which could increase the risk of blood clotting or bruising when combined.

Ginkgo may also decrease the effectiveness of the drug Alprazolam (Xanax). According to researchers, this supplement may decrease the absorption of Xanax following oral ingestion.

It could also potentially interact with drugs that are metabolized by the liver. This is a common mechanism of action for a number of drugs. Before combining Ginkgo biloba tree supplements with any drugs, it is important to first check with your doctor.

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