The Forever Tree: Ginkgo Biloba

I am a strong believer that there is an herb for everything. I see herbs as my body’s tools. Each tool has a different purpose, you have to give your body many tools to work with. Ginkgo has been added to my herbal toolbox.

Ginkgo became interesting to me because I started to notice that my legs would “fall asleep” while cuddling up on the couch watching TV. I did a little research and found that circulation was a big factor in your legs falling asleep. I believe that most people do not turn to herbs first because herbal medicine is not a quick fix solution. You have to add herbs to your daily wellness practice to get the full benefits of them.

This herb should be considered an OG. Ginkgo comes from the Maidenhair tree. This tree has been found in fossil records predating mammals. Hence giving it the name “fossil tree”. It is one of the oldest living tree species dating back over 350 million years. It is native to central China and currently extinct in the wild. However, it is being preserved and grown in temple gardens. The tree has been included in the list of “endangered” species.

Ginkgo is known as the circulation booster and used to treat many ailments caused by poor circulation.

Ginkgo’s resume includes…

• Increases blood flow to the brain- known as the “memory tree” for its reports on improving the clarity of thought and improvements in memory
• Helps to improve impotence caused by narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the penis
• Helps with deterioration in vision that may be caused by narrowing of the blood vessels to the eyes
• Helps with blood flow to the nerves involved in hearing
• Gingko stimulates the circulation in the periphery (hands and feet) of the brain opening up of blood vessels and increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrition to the tissues

This herb can be taken in capsule form, decoctions, tinctures, and tonics. It is also very tasteful and good in tea.