Ginkgo Biloba: 7 Health Benefits of The Living Fossil

Written By: Vivian Benjamin

Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba is an ancient medicinal herb that dates back over 200 million years. This medicinal herb is regarded as a “living fossil” and survived the mass extinctions of the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods, Pleistocene glaciation and the Hiroshima bombing (1945).


While the surrounding city of Hiroshima was destroyed and the tree branches were burned, Ginkgo biloba made a miraculous recovery the following spring thanks to its deep, resilient root systems that allowed it to sprout new green buds. Similarly, this medicinal herb was also preserved by monks who cultivated it around temples in China and Japan for many years.


Nevertheless, some Ginkgo Biloba also grew in the wild and survived on their own. Therefore, this “living fossil” is also portrayed as the tree of hope and nature’s endurance. Ginkgo Biloba belongs to the Ginkgoaceae family and originates from China; however, the seeds were spread by monks travelling to neighbouring countries such as Japan and Korea. Presently, it is grown in many countries around the world.


Ginkgo Biloba is a large, slow-growing tree that grows up to 40metres tall. The bark is grey to greyish-brown and becomes rough as the tree gets older. The leaves are fan-shaped and bright green during spring and summer before turning butter yellow or golden yellow in autumn. The seeds are small, smooth-skinned, much like apricots hanging from a long stem. Ginkgo Biloba is an adaptable plant and can thrive in many soil types; nonetheless, it grows best in deep, well-draining soils. 






How Ginkgo Biloba is Used in Traditional Medicine
Now, let’s dive into how the living fossil is utilized in traditional medicine. Ginkgo Biloba is revered as a medicinal herb that has traditionally been used to improve circulation, enhance memory, reduce cognitive decline and mental exhaustion and treat respiratory illness and digestive issues. Ginkgo is consumed to stimulate the mind, boost brain function and improve memory in older people.



Furthermore, this medicinal herb is also used to facilitate the removal of toxins from the body. The seeds are cooked and eaten to relieve asthma symptoms and coughs. Apart from that, the seeds are also consumed to assist with frequent urination. Moreover, Ginkgo Biloba is also consumed to encourage warmth in the hands and feet of people suffering from cold extremities and to encourage healthy blood circulation.


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7 Ginkgo Biloba Evidence-Backed Health Benefits

1. Antioxidant properties
Several studies done on Ginkgo Biloba leaves demonstrate that this medicinal herb contains several bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, that serve as potential natural antioxidants. Moreover, Ginkgo Biloba contains ginkgolides and bilobalides, distinctive compounds found in Ginkgo Biloba, which are evidenced to decrease cellular damage and lower the chances of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis, respiratory diseases and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.




2. Reduces inflammation
Several studies suggest that Ginkgo Biloba contains various bioactive compounds that help reduce inflammatory markers. These inflammatory markers are associated with the development of chronic illnesses, infections and autoimmune diseases. Another study found that ginkgolide B, a compound found in Ginkgo Biloba, appears to inhibit platelet-activating factor, which plays a role in the development of asthma symptoms. This further highlights its potential in managing airway inflammation and asthma.




3. Antimicrobial properties
Several studies imply that Ginkgo Biloba can be effective against bacterial, fungal and viral infections. This shows that this medicinal herb may help support the body’s natural defence mechanism.



4. Protects the heart
Ginkgo Biloba presents promising effects in protecting the heart by encouraging healthy blood circulation. Besides that, another study proposed that this medicinal herb appears to decrease plasma lipoprotein levels, a known risk factor for atherosclerotic disease.



5. Neuroprotective properties
According to some studies, Ginkgo Biloba may have the ability to improve spatial memory, which is the brain’s ability to visualize, map and navigate the surroundings. Another study concluded that compounds found in Ginkgo Biloba showed neuroprotective effects against neurological damage. As a result, Ginkgo Biloba may be able to prevent the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and Parkinson's disease.




6. Prevents cancer
Based on several studies done on Ginkgo Biloba, this medicinal herb likely provides possibilities in preventing skin cancer, gastric cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer thanks to its bioactive compounds.


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7. Regulates blood glucose levels
Some studies reported that the bioactive compound ginkgolide found in Ginkgo Biloba is possibly linked to regulating blood glucose levels in the body, subsequently reducing the risk of diabetes. 









All in All
Nutrition Takes delves into Ginkgo Biloba, the living fossil, exploring how it got its name as the tree of hope and endurance, how it’s utilized in traditional medicine and what science has to say about the health benefits of this medicinal herb. Share or ask questions if you would like to know more about the topic or if you have different insights that you would like to share. I am always happy to hear about your journey in holistic approaches.



Unlike many medicinal herbs, which can be either eaten raw or incorporated into cooking, fresh Ginkgo Biloba leaves cannot be consumed as they contain toxins that harm human health. However, tea can be made using dried leaves, although it should be consumed with moderation. On the other hand, the seeds found inside the Ginkgo Biloba fruit can be cooked but must also be eaten with strict moderation due to the natural toxins.



This medicinal herb is usually made into capsules or tablets to be consumed orally with meals for its benefits to take place. Please be aware that patients taking anticoagulant medication like warfarin, NSAIDs and antidepressants should ultimately avoid them. Similarly, pregnant and breastfeeding women, individuals suffering from seizures and people undergoing any type of surgery should avoid them as well. 










References
1. Luqman J.R. et al (2025); Ginkgo Biloba: The traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology and therapeutic applications;
   The American Journal of Chinese Medicine; 53(8): 2403-2434.

2. Biernacka P. et al (2023); The Potential of Ginkgo Biloba as a source of biologically active compounds – a review of the
    recent literature and patents; Molecules; 28(10): 3993.

3. Tabassum N. et al (2022); Ginkgo Biloba: A treasure of functional phytochemicals with multimedicinal applications;
    Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine; 10.1155.

4. Samec D, et al (2022); Biflavonoids: Important contributions to the health benefits of Ginkgo Biloba; Plants; 11(10): 1381.

5. Shaikh et al. (2021); A review of medicinal properties of Ginkgo Biloba; International Journal of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
    and Analysis; 8(3): 86-90.


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