The ginkgo biloba tree is unique in many ways. Also known as the “maidenhair” tree, it blooms only at night and sheds its blossoms immediately. Its fruit is said to stink of rancid butter. And it is a survivor.
The ginkgo is often referred to as a “living fossil.” The term was coined by Charles Darwin and refers to a living species that has no close living relatives. The ginkgo species dates back over 270 million years to the era of dinosaurs. That is all the more amazing when you realize that the average plant species may survive only a few million years.
A single ginkgo tree can live as long as 1,000 years although one Daoist temple in Chinese claims a tree in its courtyard is about 10,000 years old. And in 1945 six of the trees are said to have survived in Hiroshima in the devastated area around the impact of the atom bomb.
The medicinal history of ginkgo is also long. Chinese records are believed to mention using the leaves as far back as 2800 BC to improve blood circulation and lung function. Fifteenth century records mention the use of the leaves for skin wounds and diarrhea.
Scientists have identified more than 40 components in ginkgo. So far only two - flavonoids and terpenoids - seem to have medicinal properties. Flavonoids are plant-based antioxidants that have been shown to protect the nerves, heart muscle, blood vessels, and retina from damage. Terpenoids (such as ginkgolides) are known to improve blood flow.
Ginkgo is one of the most studied herbal remedies in the world. Ginkgo biloba has the added benefit of safety. Ginkgo biloba has been researched to have potential value in the treatment of over 100 diseases. Here are just 18 proven ways it can heal:
1. Cognition, Dementia - Researchers suggested that ginkgo biloba may be just as good or better than other treatment options for patients with mild or moderate dementia.
2. Schizophrenia
3. Tinnitus “ringing in the ears"
4. Vitiligo - Vitiligo is a disorder in which melanocytes, cells that give skin its color, are destroyed. It results in white patches of skin on different parts of the body. Oxidative stress is believed to be part of the cause of vitiligo. Ginkgo biloba has antioxidant properties that may help halt progression and even reverse the condition.
5. Arterial Disease - is a blockage or narrowing of an artery in the legs usually due to atherosclerosis. It results in insufficient blood flow to the legs. That blockage can lead to intermittent claudication, or crampy leg pain during exercise, especially walking. Ginkgo biloba can improve pain-free walking times for patients with intermittent claudication.
6. Migraines
7. Attention Deficit Disorder - A preliminary study showed that ginkgo biloba significantly improves hyperactivity, inattention, and immaturity factors.
8. Glaucoma (a condition of increased pressure within the eyeball, causing gradual loss of sight) - ginkgo biloba extract improves visual field damage in patients with glaucoma.
9. Stroke Recovery - ginkgo biloba protects against stroke-related neurologic deficits.
10. Restore olfactory loss
11. Relieve airway inflammation in asthma patients
12. Treat pulmonary interstitial fibrosis
13. Reduce arterial plaque formation
14. Reduce the severity of pre-menstrual syndrome symptoms
15. Natural antidepressant and anti-
16. Improve long-distance vision in patients with macular degeneration
17. Relieve symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis
18. Natural Anti-aging Properties
There are many more. Studies find ginkgo has value in over 100 different diseases, and has been identified to have at least 50 distinct beneficial physiological actions.