Chinese Herbs
Herbal Treatments
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Chinese Herb News
Nov. 08th 2006
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Nov. 03rd 2006
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Chinese Herbs: Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba Chinese Herb, A Living Fossil as Medicine
The ginkgo is a Chinese herb revered across the entire Orient. The name is an alternate reading of the Chinese name "yin xing", meaning silver apricot. The name comes from the pale fruits of the ginkgo biloba tree, and also serves as the basis for another of ginkgo's names -- "bai guo" or white fruit. The term "biloba" refers to the two-part appearance of its wide flat leaves.Ginkgo biloba is a species of very tall trees, normally reaching 65 to 110 feet (20-35 meters) in height, but some old specimens in China are over 165 feet (50 meters) tall. Its branches are angled upward and grow in a somewhat erratic manner, and this is what gives it resistance to snow damage. The Ginkgo's roots grow deep into the ground, making it very strong against wind. Young trees are often quite bare-looking, and the crown grows more majestic as the tree ages maturity.
During the autumnal season, the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba turn bright yellow and fall off sometimes this process happens in a matter of days. The tree is incredibly resistant to disease and insects. It can even form aerial roots and sprouts though their functions are unknown. These factors make this Chinese herb an extremely long-lived plant. A specimen in Shandong, China has been found to be over 3 millennia old!
Ginkgo biloba trees are of two sexes. The males produce sperm cells from cone-like structures. The female produces a seed that can be fertilized. The seed is encased in a pale fleshy coating. These "fruits" may look tempting, but the smell -- rancid butter or feces -- is enough to dissuade anyone or any animal from eating them.
The most intriguing thing about this Chinese herb is its status as a living fossil. There are no other plants like it; in fact its separation from the rest of the plant kingdom starts at one level below kingdom; it is as different from other plants as can be while still being a plant. Think of it as a person not having any relatives all the way back to the Creation of man. It is a living fossil, with all of its relatives having gone extinct since the Pliocene era. In fact, the tree itself was believed to have gone extinct in the wild for centuries and only recently discovered as naturally growing in two small areas of China's Tian Mu Shan Reserve.
The seeds of this Chinese herb are cherished delicacies in Chinese cuisine, as well as in Japanese cuisine. They are also used along with the leaves in Chinese herbal medicine. The medicinal effects of this ancient medicinal plant are those related to general ailments of aging. The Ginkgo is said to cure or prevent Alzheimer's disease, dementia, diabetes, asthma, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, memory problems, and respiratory weaknesses. Recent studies have shown, however, that ginkgo extracts do not produce any measurable effect against dementia and Alzheimer's. Regardless, more studies are being done on the effects of ginkgo on memory.
There are many emotional effects associated to ginkgo. It is said to calm and reduce stress, cure depression, and alleviate anxiety. Some argue this is due to the placebo effect -- you believe it works, so it does. Other health benefits include regulation of blood flow, reducing tissue damage, maintaining optimal blood oxygen and glucose levels, and antioxidant properties that slow aging. There are possibly deleterious effects to these properties though, so make sure to inform your traditional Chinese herb practitioner of any medications or supplements you may be taking.
Ginkgo biloba: a holdover from the far, far past and a living fossil but nowhere near obsolete.