Ginkgo Biloba
If one day you are walking across a barren land and during your expedition happen to come across a Dinosaur fossil, you may be lucky enough to find a Ginkgo Biloba fossil too … but the Ginkgo fossil will be older than the Dinosaur fossil.
Dinosaurs are 230 million years old. Gingko is approximately 270 million years old. Still growing around the world today, Gingko is officially a living fossil. If something can survive that long, it might be a good idea to investigate what type of properties it is harboring — and if ingesting them will provide any benefit. Well, that research has been done in droves and, the results are in: consumption of gingko provides astonishing benefits for body and mind.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Gingko is on their Red List, meaning it is listed as an Endangered Species because of its rarity. But, if this tree has survived 270 million years already, something tells us it will be around for many more years to come!
Pineal Gland
A 3000 year history of medicinal use in Chinese Traditional Medicine, Gingko was trusted by Royalty as the go-to herb to ward off age-related cognitive decline. Lab testing today confirms that the Royal Court occupants were savvy in their use of Gingko to protect them from senility, as gingko proves to have particular compounds that are neuroprotective. In Ancient China, large Gingko trees were considered as divine or sacred. Medical scholar Li Shizhen states that Taoist monks would carve spells and sacred symbology on the wood of the Ginkgo tree, in a bid to open portals to the other dimensions. Our guess is they ate some of the leaves too. Gingko greatly increases blood flow, increasing blood supply to the brain, which in turn enhances neurocognition. As blood flows to the brain, not only is the pineal gland is nourished but the heightened blood flow can create added positive pressure on the pineal gland, activating otherwise slumbering cells within the pineal gland.
About Gingko Biloba
Derived from Japanese gin kyo – “silver apricot”.
Also known as – Maidenhair tree
Native to Southern Japan and China, theGingko Biloba tree has been cultivated by humans for thousands of years, for both medicinal purposes and as a food source.
Belonging to a division of species called Ginkgophyta, Gingko Biloba is the only surviving member of its family — the rest extinct. A worldwide symbol of nature and her cycles, and longevity, Ginkgo trees are a treasured and sacred member of mother nature family. The definition of resilient, the Ginkgo tree was the first of any life form to regrow after the Hiroshima nuclear explosion of1945. Gingko re-grew only 800 meters away from where the bomb had landed.
Health Benefits
A true Elder of the Earth, Gingko has been serving humanity for thousands of years. Let us delve a bit deeper into the modern day health benefits of the prehistoric and sacred tree known as Gingko Biloba.
Vascular Dementia
Gingko Biloba used alongside conventional treatment has been shown to reduce symptoms associated with Vascular Dementia in particular. Researchers who have demonstrated the positive effects of Gingko extract assisting conventional treatment methods, have linked the decrease in symptoms associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s to Gingko’s ability to increase blood flow to the brain, nourish blood vessels within the brain and, provide neural protection. Although it is too soon to state Gingko’s definite status as an alternative treatment for Vascular types of dementia, the research looks very promising, and perhaps in the future Gingko will become an approved complementary supplement taken which can be taken alongside conventional medicine to support those suffering from certain types of Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia.
Memory Enhancer
Gingko is one of the world best selling herbs when it comes to memory boosters and protectors. Over 250 million dollars is spent each year on Gingko extract supplements, in a bid to keep the mind and memory sharp, ward off senility, and to benefit from Gingkos neuroprotective properties. Scientific studies and personal accounts worldwide point towards Gingko Biloba being a little helper assisting the fight against cognitive decline and age-related neurological inflammation. Gingko has been used for years as a supplement for enhancing brain function, and we suspect further studies will confirm the health and brain benefits of this super herb.
Reduces Anxiety
Chronic anxiety is on the rise, affecting every 1 in 3 people. Ginkgo Biloba has been used as by people as natural therapy effective for reducing anxiety symptoms and some types of depressive symptoms when used alongside traditional approaches to treatment such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). A study published in 2007 by the Journal of Psychiatric Research, revealed Gingko to be effective at reducing the symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder, after a four week period. However, more research is needed before Gingko Biloba cane touted as being effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. CBT is the most proven and effective way to treat anxiety.
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory
Containing especially high amounts of flavonoids and terpenoids, Gingko Biloba contains powerful compounds verified for their impressive antioxidant effects. These antioxidants play a key role in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress with the body. Gingko has displayed antioxidant protection and anti-inflammatory effects helping it relieve symptoms of Irritable bowel disease, inflammatory joint conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, and stroke protection. More research is needed, however, Gingko has been used to treat inflammation for thousands of years and modern studies show great promise too.
Other mental health benefits of ginkgo biloba.