Herb of the Moon: Why is gingko so good?
Image by Istvan Balogh
Hi tea lovers!
Last week we introduced our brand new e-mail & blog digest called 🌜Herb of the Moon🌛, where we empower you with knowledge & wisdom so that you can learn the art of herbal healing. And for our first segment, we’re all about gingko.
If you want to try working with gingko biloba, it’s pretty easy to source- and it’s also an important part of our High Spirits Tea, along with a synergistic blend of herbs that help to beat stress and feel energized and ready for your day.
& If you’re ready to learn more about the magic, the mystery, and the science of gingko, keep on reading! Today we’re answering some of the most common questions about gingko biloba and giving you the personal scoop on our experience with it.
The History
The gingko we know & love is actually the oldest known tree species alive today! This plant is so ancient, it’s actually been described by researchers as a “living fossil”- the species as a whole has been around since the Jurassic period.
The tree also has a rich history with many cultures. In ancient China, the ginkgo tree was held in high esteem for its ability to promote longevity and vitality. The tree is also known for its ability to endure the test of time, as it’s been known to live for thousands of years and survive through almost any adversity.
It's even said that some of the first trees to sprout after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima were ginkgo trees. The strength and ability of the gingko tree to sprout through any challenge inspires us to stand strong in the face of disaster 🌳.
The Benefits
This plant is known to be incredibly hardy, so it’s not at all surprising that consuming gingko biloba may actually improve your health, immunity, and even cognitive abilities 🌿.
Gingko is known to be an ally for those who struggle with forgetfulness, mental fatigue, low stamina, and brain fog. Modern research has finally shown what ancient herbalists knew all along- that gingko really can help improve your state of mind and sharpen your wits.
Specifically, gingko helps to promote your levels of acetylcholine by inhibiting, or blocking, acetylcholine breakdown. This neurotransmitter plays a huge role in attention span, learning, memory, and other important functions. Having too-low levels of acetylcholine in the long term has been known to contribute to the development of serious conditions, like dementia and Alzheimer’s- which shows just how essential it is for our best function ✨🧠.
Lab studies have also shown that Gingko dramatically improves your blood circulation (1), which makes it amazing for your veins, eyes, brain, and even for getting blood and oxygen into your hands and feet. That increased blood flow contributes to the incredible list of benefits that people associate with gingko- from immune health, to liver health, and yes, even brain health 📚.
One placebo-controlled study (2) on a group of young volunteers showed noticeable improvements in their memory quality, and the speed at which they were able to recall memories. There are many other similar studies on gingko that I would encourage you to look into.
Another important factor to look into is the makeup of gingko. What’s the stuff in it that makes you feel so good?
To answer that, some of primary active constituents in gingko are flavonoids, and terpenoids like gingkolides and bilobalides.
In English… that just means that flavonoids and terpenoids are important chemicals found in the gingko plant 🧪.
Flavonoids act as antioxidants, which protect our cells from damage and helps to prevent diseases caused by pollution or other environmental hazards. This is why gingko is said to be helpful for fighting off free radicals - unstable atoms that damage cells, speed up aging, and create illnesses - and protecting your DNA.
Terpenoids, on the other hand, are a type of organic compound that includes ginkgolides and bilobalides. These terpenoids are the reason why gingko is said to help with circulation- because they can noticeably improve blood flow and keep your circulatory system running smoothly 🫀✨.
Incorporating gingko tea, or other forms of the plant into your daily routine could be a simple and powerful way to support your cognitive health and overall wellbeing.
I do urge caution when taking it with other prescribed medications, because it’s known to have interactions. Definitely consult with your doctor before consuming gingko biloba!
The Experience
I’ll be documenting this experience by drinking a lot of herbal tea, every single day for two weeks to really allow the medicine to synergize with my body. I’m documenting my general experience and what comes up physically and emotionally, & also measuring for specific variables- such as energy, mood, etc.
So, during the first part of the experiment, I was simply brewing the gingko tea using a coffee machine, at a temperature of 200 F. This gives a tea that is very mild and grassy in flavor and pale in color, which if that’s your thing, you can try that.
However, I much prefer a robust and flavorful tea, so I started boiling it for about 20 min on medium heat, which made for a much more powerful extraction and strong “grassy” flavor. If you want that, then definitely boil your tea 🌿.
In the first couple of days taking it, there wasn’t a noticeable difference in how I felt. However, some changes became more pronounced after the first week, when I noticed that I did feel like I had more “mental energy” and mental capacity in general.
I tend to struggle with lethargy and maintaining focus, especially when it comes to certain tasks. However, I was able to pull myself together and consistently get all I needed done in much less time than I usually take.
To give context, for months I was set on skipping out and taking an F for one particular project because it just seemed too complicated and it wasn’t entirely necessary. But what shocked me was that after consistently taking the gingko tea for a week, I felt very motivated and energized to prepare for the project (quite out of the blue!) and I passed it with flying colors 🔥.
I did not notice significant lasting changes mood-wise, mostly just in terms of energy and motivation. I did feel like the ritual of drinking tea brought some level of joy, which you could call placebo, but I‘d just call it part of the ✨ritual✨. I do plan on continuing to drink gingko tea regularly, not just because I felt good but also because of the energy and spirit of the plant.
Plants 👏 are 👏 more 👏 than 👏 just 👏 supplements! They are our allies and they have their own life force.
After working with gingko, I noticed that its energy is very upbeat and sunny. Drinking a mug of gingko feels like sipping on sunshine- very uplifting, and giving a ⚡️spark⚡️ to people trying to get through tough times.
I would especially encourage other students to try gingko, or really anyone who wants to learn a new skill.
If you want to try working with gingko, an important part of our High Spirits Tea, along with a blend of other adaptogenic herbs.
Also, if you would like to get the 🌜Herb of the Moon🌛 Digest delivered bimonthly straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here!
This is an option for anyone interested in learning about herbs in depth and keeping up with their education 🌿📚.
Works Cited
Suter A, Niemer W, Klopp R. A new ginkgo fresh plant extract increases microcirculation and radical scavenging activity in elderly patients.
Scholey AB, Kennedy DO. Acute, dose-dependent cognitive effects of Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng and their combination in healthy young volunteers: differential interactions with cognitive demand.
Some Info…
As always, it has to be said- we do not provide medical advice. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.
Love & herbs,