Ginkgo biloba is popularly referred to as maidenhair tree. This tree is endemic to the south Asian oriental countries such as the Zhejiang province in eastern part of Chinese mainland, Sungkyunkwan University campus in South Korea and in parts of Japan. Ginkgo biloba is a living fossil for it no longer has any close relatives. It has changed little since the Pliocene era. The newly implanted sapling takes several years to acquire full form. Its seeds are similar in structure to the apricot fruit. However the ginkgo tree bears no fruits.

This deciduous tree and is aptly placed between gymnosperm and angiosperm in the hierarchy of plant classification. Ginkgo is a gymnosperm because it does not produce fruits and an angiosperm because its large sized seeds bear resemblance similar to apricot fruit. The distinctive tree is noteworthy for being one of the most pollution-tolerant, disease resistant and naturally an insect repelling tree. It is capable of growing in places where normally other trees are unable to thrive leave alone flourish. They are popularly planted along streets as ornamental tree providing shade and grace to the roads. The campus of the University of Tokyo is well known for the wide plantation of ginkgo trees. Ginkgo is extensively being studied and active research is ongoing on account of its potent bio-medicinal properties.

• Extracts of Ginkgo leaves popular as concentrated GBE (Ginkgo biloba extract) contain active and potent form of terpenoids and flavonoids such as bilobalides and ginkgolides. These are used in the pharmaceutical industry in preparing drugs to treat high blood pressure, and also for uplifting memory and inducing concentration.

• Furthermore extracts of Ginkgo can be used to solve many of the problems associated with numbness in the aged. This numbness perhaps arises due to decreased circulation of blood especially in the brain and in lower extremities. Concentrated Ginkgo biloba extract has been found to increase the flow of blood into the capillaries and micro-capillaries. This directly means that oxygen is supplied to every nook and corner of the body thereby enlivening the otherwise failing cells and tissues of the aging body. The effect is complemented by its antioxidant properties. The extracts of ginkgo are scavengers of the free oxygen radical responsible for causing cell damage. In this way Ginkgo prevents expediting of the aging process. Research is on going to decipher its role in treating dementia and the Alzheimer’s disease. Ginkgo is rightly called the ‘brain drug’.

• Terpenoids and Flavonoids in Ginkgo extract medications also prevent blood clotting and clumping of platelets thereby enabling thinning of blood. This has a significant role to play in alleviating renal, cardiovascular and the disorders related to the Central Nervous system.

• GBE is also used in treating vertigo.

• Standardized drugs made from Ginkgo are extremely helpful in treating intermittent claudication. This is the cramping sensation of the legs, feet and calves. It is known to occur due to lessened oxygen supply in the lower extremities of the body.

• Ginkgo should be taken in the range of approximately 40-200 mg per day depending upon the severity of the ailment. Side effects of Ginkgo include gastrointestinal uneasiness, increased risk of bleeding due to thinning of blood and loosening of platelets, nausea, headache etc. Pregnant woman should consult the medical practitioner before consuming drugs made from the extracts of Ginkgo.

• Considering the side effects associated with HRT (Hormone Replacement therapy), standardized Gingko drugs are prepared with a view to imbue estrogenic activity and suitably application in post-menopausal women.

• Ginkgo biloba finds wide usage as penjing and bonsai. Both of these are the art of growing miniature forms of large plants in pots and trays. They are majorly used for decorative purposes in homes.

• Nuts inside the ginkgo seeds which are essentially the gametophytes are used in many oriental preparations. Popular amongst these are the congee served during special occasions. The seeds have aphrodisiac and other health qualities. They are marketed in many countries as ‘white nuts’ in the canned forms. They are known to be supplemented in energy drinks.

Ginkgo biloba is taken orally and can be used in varied forms as tablets, capsules, liquid extracts and dried tea leaves which can be consumed similar to tea.