Ginkgo biloba is a plant so old that it is known as a living fossil. It is one of the oldest plants in the world and even thrived in the age of dinosaurs. Ginkgo biloba is a native plant of China. It remained almost unchanged for about 270 million years. It has been used in Chinese medicine for many thousands of years. The leaf of Ginkgo biloba has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and brain-boosting effects. These may potentially improve health and overall wellness.
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In this article, we will primarily cover the benefits, uses, and considerations of Ginkgo biloba. We will also include its history and interesting facts, its effect on our health. In the latter part, we will discuss its place in the current and future wellness industry.
Let’s start.
Is Ginkgo Biloba a superfood or wellness component?
Ginkgo Biloba has several special abilities of health-boosting and wellness, which makes it a superfood. But in a more literal sense, you can call it a super supplement too. That is our category green wellness or only wellness in our Website. You may ask, how can we say it? There are no criteria for superfoods. Well, yes, there are no criteria that people agree on universally. But we made our criteria with critical analysis. There are 3 types of superfoods. Food that has diverse nutrients, food that has an abundance of rare nutrients, and food with special abilities. Ginkgo biloba falls into the third category easily. It has the special ability of brain boosting, heart health, disease protection, and many more. But We keep the world most marvelous botanicals that have extra ordinary potent to solve wellness issue under Wellness category. These are curated collections from nature that has medicinal benefits. Ginkgo biloba best suited for our wellness category. A component for organic wellness.
Please read Organic Wellness : Natural Superfoods & Supplements for Healthy Conscious Living to know more.
History of Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is the only living member of its family. The tree was once spread to different areas of the world. But during different events in history, only Chinese ginkgo plants survived. There is an interesting fact about the ginkgo biloba tree. Ginkgo Biloba fruit and seeds smell very bad, something like rotten butter. Scientists believe this smell was to attract one type of dinosaur that eats the fruit and spreads the seeds far away. It’s so old that even its reproduction method is broken. However, with the help of humans, the tree is again planted in different parts of the world. Chinese habits and monks used to plant this tree for beauty and benefit. It has fan-shaped leaves, which attracted many botanists and landscapers. In the 17th century, the plant spread in Korea, Japan, and nearby places. Europeans also loved the benefits and aesthetics of the plant. They brought it to their homeland and planted it in their garden. German botanist Engelbert Kaempfer was the first scientist who wrote the first scientific book about Ginkgo biloba. However, it became significantly popular in the 20th century after scientific findings about benefits. In the modern world, it is one of the most used wellness supplements in the world.
What are the wellness benefits of Ginkgo Biloba?
Here are the health benefits of Ginkgo biloba discussed in detailed.
Brain Health
Ginkgo biloba has several effects that can positively benefit cognitive power, brain protection, and wellness. It improves blood flow in the brain, which leads to more oxygen and nutrient availability in the brain cells. It can result in better focus and mental clarity. Ginkgo biloba has potent antioxidants that can protect neural cells from oxidative damage, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. This green wellness has ability to impact on neurotransmitters, which ensures balanced release of serotonin and dopamine. This results better memory and learning ability. There are few studies may oppose some brain boost aspects of Ginkgo biloba. However, more recent studies show that this green wellness has measurable brain effects. More studies are required on this.
Antioxidant Effect
Ginkgo biloba comes with potent antioxidants such as flavonoids and terpenoids. Antioxidants are crucial for protecting our body from oxidative damage. Let me explain a bit. As we take food and metabolize, there are some oddly charged molecules produced in our bodies. That molecule seeks electrons to be stable. They try to take electrons from our body cells, but it is just not a tiny electron. When a cell loses its electron, it tries to take one from the nearby cells. This starts a domino effect in which millions of cells are damaged. Antioxidants just donate electrons to the free radicals and stop the oxidation process before step one. Oxidative stress is responsible for heart problems, premature aging, and a range of chronic diseases. Taking this every day can deliver a good amount of antioxidants in the body.
Lowers Inflammation
Inflammation is the immune response of the body that causes pain or discomfort, especially when you are sick or injured. Inflammation can even occur without sickness. Ginkgo biloba has a special ability to block the inflammatory pathway of the body. Both animal and human studies show the anti-inflammatory reduction effect of this green wellness.
Improved Blood Circulation
Ginkgo biloba improves blood circulation, relaxes the blood vessels, and has great benefits for different organs. It increases the amount of nitric acid in our body. Nitric acid signals the brain to relax the blood vessels. This effect has many benefits for the brain, heart, and metabolism.
Sexual Dysfunction
This is widely popular for its sexual health boosting ability; however, only a few effects are backed by science. As it improves blood circulation in the sexual organ, it improves sexual performance and may also treat erectile dysfunction. It helps improve sexual dysfunction caused by taking SSRI drugs. Aside from these, other effects of Ginkgo biloba in sexual health do not have solid evidence. More research is required to draw a better conclusion.
Improves Asthma symptoms
This organic wellness may help relieve asthma symptoms by reducing inflammation in the airways. It blocks the inflammatory markers like cytokines and leukotrienes. It relaxes the airways and improves the symptoms of asthma. It also enhances blood circulation in the lungs, which improves oxygen delivery and gas exchange. The antioxidant effect of Ginkgo biloba protects the lung cells from oxidative damage and environmental pollution.
Protects and Slows Down Dementia
Ginkgo biloba has a neuroprotective ability that may restore brain issues like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Elder people have a higher chance of developing that neurodegenerative disease. Taking Ginkgo biloba regularly can slow down and heal neuron loss, and ensure brain wellness.
Helps with Anxiety and Depression
Research suggests Ginkgo biloba can regulate the activity of neurotransmitters. It ensures a healthy release of brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. This effect can help people with ADHD, anxiety, trauma, and depression.
Disadvantages of Ginkgo Biloba
Generally, Ginkgo biloba is well tolerated by most people. However, some people may have allergies due to its alkylphenol content. If you have any medical conditions or allergy issues, please discuss with a medical professional. In rare cases following side effects may occur.
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Rash
- Digestive issues.
It may also interact with blood thinners, antidepressants, and NSAID medications.
Uses of Ginkgo Biloba
This is usually used in the form of a tablet, extract, tea, dried leaf, or liquid extract. Ginkgo biloba is not recommended to take raw. The seed of Ginkgo may also have toxins. All the current research on the pure extract of ginkgo biloba suggest not to eat other parts of the plant. This is not concluded the highest dose by research. So we recommend to start slow. 120 mg per day is a reliable starting point and safe. If you are using it for any specific wellness goal, discuss with your health professionals.
Taste of Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba tea and liquid extract come with mild and tolerable tastes. The tea may taste slightly bitter with a herbal taste. Liquid Ginkgo Biloba extract may taste woody and earthy with added artificial sweetness. If you have any problem with taste, you can try tablets or capsules.
Natural Ginkgo Biloba in the Wellness Industry
This is already a cornerstone in the wellness industry. Now it is produced in many parts of the world. More and more people are getting interested into it. About 8000 tons of dried leaves are sold every year. China, South Carolina (USA), and some parts of Europe are the main producers of this green wellness.
What is the future of this green wellness in Human Civilization?
From the Google Trends statistics, Ginkgo biloba held consistent popularity in the United States. It has been among us for thousands of years. There is no sign that it will lose its popularity in the near or even far future. It is a highly sustainable medicinal plant. Increase its consumption will be a good contribution to the public health & environment.
FAQ
There are a lot of questions surfacing around the internet about Ginkgo biloba. Here are some of the most asked questions & answers to clarify.
What happens if you take Ginkgo biloba every day?
Taking Ginkgo biloba every day can significantly improve cognitive power, focus, and mood. The high antioxidants of this can help you fight oxidative stress. It may also help to reduce the aging signs in the body.
Does ginkgo give you energy?
Yes, some studies suggest this can improve energy level and blood circulation.
What is the dosage if you take Ginkgo biloba every day?
For better effect, Ginkgo biloba should be consumed every day for several weeks. However, consuming more than 240 mg daily is not recommended.
Who should avoid ginkgo?
If you are epileptic or prone to seizures, you should not take ginkgo. It may also interact with blood thinners or anticoagulants, so people on those drugs should avoid.
What are the disadvantages of ginkgo?
Ginkgo is generally well tolerated by most people. However, some people may have allergic symptoms and digestive issues.
Does ginkgo biloba increase testosterone?
Yes, some studies suggest, Ginkgo Biloba may have effects on higher testosterone production. However, more research is required to ensure.
Can I take ginkgo at night?
It is better to take Ginkgo biloba one hour before bed for better sleep. However, some individuals may experience insomnia in rare cases.
Is ginkgo good for memory?
Yes, ginkgo biloba is a very powerful ingredient for enhancing long-term memory, focus, and learning ability.
What is the best time to take Ginkgo?
Ginkgo biloba does not have the required time to take. But taking it in the morning will affect you throughout the day. It is better to take it at a specific time every day to maintain a proper cycle.
Is Ginkgo safe for the liver?
Ginkgo biloba is generally safe for the liver. But if you have a liver problem, it will be best to discuss with your doctor.
Is Ginkgo Biloba an immune booster?
Yes, Ginkgo biloba has molecules like flavonoids, terpenoids, and quercetin, which may boost the immune system.
Can I take omega-3 and Ginkgo Biloba together?
Yes, you can take omega-3 fatty acids and ginkgo biloba together. They both enhance overall wellness, brain health, and conative function in different ways. For instance, omega-3 fats constitute the neural membrane, which is crucial for proper brain function. On the other hand, ginkgo biloba improves blood circulation and neurotransmitter function in the brain. However, you should maintain the dosage strictly as they both have blood-thinning effects.
Conclusion
This organic wellness survived through 4 major ice ages and is still around us, offering so many wellness benefits. If that’s not a miracle, what is? In this article, we dive deep into all the facts and insights about the Ginkgo Biloba, and all its benefits for human health and wellness. This will help you live organic a better way.
Want to learn more about organic wellness? Check out 11 Brain-Boosting natural Supplements.
Mr. Shariful Alam Pavel believes in natural living. To live a healthy conscious living, we need to eat green, live green. MyOrganic Bd is a green wellbeing brand, educating millions to live a better life with mother nature.
Dr. Goutom Banik, MBBS, MPH, is a public health researcher with extensive experience in maternal, newborn, and child health, including nutrition interventions in underserved communities. He has worked with leading organizations such as Save the Children and icddrb, contributing to national strategies on child health and nutrition. His expertise spans operational research, health systems strengthening, and community-based programs addressing childhood illness.
A Microbiologist, full time Content writer in MyOrganic Bd relentlessly trying people aware green lifestyle. Apart from working MyOrganic, he is an Environmental activitist.
