Healing Ginkgo

Ginkgo Museum

Healing Ginkgo
In the time of our ancestors people obtained their knowledge about the healing effect of herbs and natural essences through experimentation; they tried and compared the taste and smell of the plants and drew conclusions from their results. Earliest records show that our ancestors used the Ginkgo plant from the very beginning as a resource. The small, pointed branches were used to open abscesses so their liquid could be drained. In the case of swelling, the bark was boiled in water und put on the affected skin. However, it was also discovered that in contrast to the shells of the fruits which caused skin rashes, the seeds and the leaves were very useful in alleviating diseases.

For more than 4000 years, the Ginkgo has been considered a healing tree in China. Its healing power was mentioned for the first time in the “Handbook of barefoot medicine” written in 2800 B.C. At that time, people used the bark, the leaves and the seeds of the Ginkgo tree to cure various disorders, e.g. for the treatment of wounds and inflammations, to strengthen the memory, to ease bronchial troubles and to improve blood circulation and digestion.

In Europe, its valuable healing qualities weren’t discovered until 200 years after its reintroduction as a ornamental tree for gardens and parks. Already in 1712 Engelbert Kaempfer wrote about the positive effects on the digestive system of the Ginkgo seeds but it was only in the 1960s that the Ginkgo became meaningful within European medicine.
In the 1960s, German and French scientists discovered that an extract gained from the leaves in a special way helped against blood circulation disorders. Up to the present, these active ingredients contained in the leaves cannot be synthetically produced. This discovery revolutionised Ginkgo research.

Today, 30% of all medication for blood circulation disorders contain Ginkgo compounds.
The ingredients of the leaves and the seeds are identical, however the proportion is different. Both contain various groups of high class flavonoids (they appear in almost every plant with green leaves) and terpenoids which are mainly found in the Ginkgo plant. Well combined and dosed, these substances are said to have a healing and protecting effect on the human body. As already written in the ancient Chinese “Handbook of barefoot medicine”, the substances of the Ginkgo plant can be used in the fight against many disorders, as shown by the following quotes:
"Ginkgo improves the blood circulation in the brain, which can better memory, mental capacity, concentration and other functions. It also helps to alleviate certain types of depression.”
Through the extensive improvement of blood circulation, Ginkgo provides both blood vessels and organs with more oxygen, cleans the blood of harmful substances, slows down the ageing process and gives us more energy.
"Ginkgo sharpens the senses, particularly hearing and vision and helps against many age-related disorders.
"Ginkgo can alleviate problems with the central nervous system, partly by protecting the nerves against damage or abrasion (such as caused by stress). Furthermore, the function of the central nervous system is strengthened by an improved blood circulation.
"Ginkgo increases the oxygen and glucose levels in the human body and improves the blood circulation. Thereby, the general function of the body is enhanced and one feels better mentally and physically.”
Moreover, Ginkgo supports the white blood cells in fending-off many infections and can also help to alleviate an over-reaction of the immune system. which again can lead to infections, e.g. in the case of arthritis, rheumatism, asthma and Hepatitis B.
Ginkgo can protect the brain against amnesia and can therefore be valuable in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of amnesia.
"There are no known side effects - only pregnant women are advised not to take any Ginkgo products during pregnancy.”
Note, however, that Ginkgo is not a universal remedy. In fact, herbal medicines are mostly used in combination with other medical treatments. Ginkgo products are over-the-counter-drugs; however, medical advice should be sought before using them.
The active ingredients of the Ginkgo are available in pills, drops or diluted essences.
A new trend is also emerging in the cosmetics industry: There are many anti-ageing products featuring Ginkgo as a premium ingredient: skin lotions, shampoo, hair treatment products, facial masks, even panty hose (used to improve blood circulation, decrease swelling and prevent thrombosis on long distance air travel). The range of potentials of the Ginkgo substances and ingredients have not yet been fully researched.
The hope remains that this miracle tree may be of help in the fight to defeat as yet incurable diseases.

© Ginkgo Museum
- Translation by Susanne Wilm, 2003
- Update by Zenaida des Aubris, 2009
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Ginkgoland Shop

>Start
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Imprint Contact

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Home © · All rights reserved · www.Planet-Weimar.de