Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Personality:
This is a beautiful and fascinating tree which has remained almost unchanged for millions of years. The worlds oldest tree is native to China, and has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for at least five thousand years. It also has a modern
relevance, being adaptable and resistant to pollution. Ginkgo has a very
simple biology and is a living, prehistoric time-capsule. If you have room for
it in your garden, grow one!
Sources:
You will be lucky to find a tree near you from which to harvest fresh leaves, so either plant your own or visit a health food shop for the dried herb or tincture. Although very popular in mainland Europe, Ginkgo is not quite so well known in Britain, but you should still find several choices of preparation.
Anecdotes:
On a trip to Leicester I was walking through the city centre when I suddenly spotted a beautiful Ginkgo tree growing happily amongst the throng of shoppers. Any tree that can survive for so long and still thrive in the pollution and bustle of a city centre must have a trick or two up its sleeve.
Uses:
Western herbal medicine focuses on the action of ginkgo on the brain (it can help memory loss etc’ by improving cerebral circulation). Ginkgo is also of use in asthma and allergies and general circulatory problems (e.g. high blood pressure). More research is needed to discover all of Ginkgo’s uses.
Actions:
Anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, circulatory stimulant (particularly cranial circulation).
Preparations & dosage:
There is only limited information in Western herbalism on recommended dosage for Ginkgo, but an average adult dose is approximately 1g dried leaf or equivalent per day. Dried leaves and tincture made from the leaves are used in Western herbalism. Chinese herbalism uses the seeds.