I planted a tiny ginkgo sapling in my herbal teaching garden probably 15 years ago and watched it grow very tall quite quickly. I always wondered about its reproductive capacity given that there aren’t any other ginkgo trees around (see below). But I enjoyed watching its glorious leaf-change in the autumn as the fan-shaped leaves turned from green to a stunning bright-gold. I think I love ginkgo even more now that I’m aware how much of a brain-loving medicine it is: it supports brain health in several specific ways and should be part of a protocol for anyone seeking brain and mental health remedies, better memory, and clarity of thought.

Origins and Growth of the Ginkgo Tree

Ginkgo biloba, often called the “living fossil,” is a tree that has fascinated botanists for years. It dates back over 200 million years and is one of the oldest surviving species (of any kind) on the planet.

Native to China, Ginkgo trees have been cultivated for thousands of years for their ornamental beauty and medicinal benefits. Today, the tree grows naturally throughout Asia, North America, and Europe, often growing in urban areas due to its resilience against pollution and pests (though some municipalities avoid planting female trees because of their odor). Ginkgo is remarkably long-lived, often surviving for hundreds of years; some trees are estimated to be more than 1,000 years old.

How to Grow Ginkgo Trees

If you participate in herbal conferences or gatherings, you likely are inspired to grow these trees when you see them for sale, and for good reason: they're gorgeous and useful. The tree’s iconic fan-shaped leaves turn a brilliant yellow in the fall, making it a visually stunning centerpiece in yards, landscapes and parks.

Be sure to plant ginkgo in well-drained soil and in full sunlight, and plant it where it can grow TALL. It is known for its incredible height, growing to 50 to 80 feet or more. I have found it can be rather spindly and it doesn’t have the rounded branching habit of other trees until it is quite older and well-established. 

Reproduction of Ginkgo Trees

Ginkgo trees have a unique and ancient reproductive process that differs from most modern plants. They are gymnosperms, meaning they reproduce with seeds rather than flowers or fruits, and they are dioecious, meaning each tree is either male and female and they reproduce through separate male and female structures. Male ginkgo trees produce pollen, while female trees produce ovules that develop into seeds after fertilization. In an evolutionary context, this separation of male and female plants helps promote genetic diversity through cross-pollination. Male trees have small, cone-like structures called catkins, which can produce heavy and abundant pollen in the spring, This means that for successful fertilization, male and female ginkgo trees need to be relatively close to each other. Female trees produce paired ovules on stalks. During pollination, pollen from the male trees is carried by the wind (airborne) to the female ovules. When seeds form, they produce a strong odor due to butyric acid, often described as smelling like rancid butter. 

Harvesting Ginkgo Biloba for Medicinal Use

The medicinal components of Ginkgo are primarily found in its leaves and, to a lesser extent, its seeds. However, while ginkgo seeds are used in some traditional practices, they contain compounds that can be toxic in high amounts. The leaves are more often harvested for safe, therapeutic use, typically in the late summer to early autumn, just as they begin to change color. This is when the levels of beneficial compounds, including flavonoids and terpenoids, are at their peak. After harvesting, the leaves can be dried and processed into extracts, tinctures, powders, or capsules to preserve their active compounds.

What Does Ginkgo Do For The Brain?

Ginkgo is rich in key biologically active compounds that make it especially useful as a brain and mental health remedy:

Flavonoids

Known for their antioxidant properties, flavonoids help protect cells from oxidative damage. This is particularly beneficial for the brain because oxidative stress is a significant factor in cognitive decline.

Terpenoids (especially ginkgolides and bilobalide)

These compounds improve blood circulation by dilating blood vessels and reducing blood viscosity, making it easier for blood to flow to different parts of the body, including the brain.

One of the primary reasons herbalists use Ginkgo is for its positive impact on blood circulation. Studies have shown that ginkgo improves blood flow by relaxing blood vessels and reducing the "stickiness" of platelets, which helps prevent blood clots. Improved circulation means more oxygen-rich blood can reach vital organs, particularly the brain.

In this way, we can consider ginkgo a vasodilator: an action or category of herbs that increase blood flow around the body. Other vasodilators include hawthorn leaf and berry, cayenne pepper, peppermint, and ginger. Vasodilators can support a wide range of issues including circulatory, cardiovascular, and cognitive decline. When oxygen-rich blood flows more freely to the brain, it can enhance cognitive functions that depend on a strong oxygen supply.

How Does Ginkgo Help Memory, Clarity, and Mood

The use of Ginkgo for enhancing mental health and cognitive abilities has been widely researched. In fact, it became something of a “fad” herb for years, along with St. John’s wort, when companies added these herbs to everything from crackers to beverages to candies. It was ridiculous, though research has vindicated the herbs as truly worthy of herbal interest and not simply a commercial fad.

Here are some key findings from scientific and clinical studies:

Memory and Cognitive Performance

Numerous studies have focused on ginkgo’s potential to improve memory and cognitive function, particularly in aging populations. A meta-analysis of studies (which is a basically an analysis of already-existing studies and the development of criteria to rate those studies) conducted on older adults has shown that ginkgo can moderately improve memory, attention, and executive function. For individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia, ginkgo appears to slow the progression of memory loss and enhance cognitive performance.

Mental Clarity and Thought Processing

By improving blood flow to the brain, Ginkgo biloba may enhance mental clarity and speed up information processing. In one study, healthy young adults taking ginkgo extracts demonstrated faster reaction times and improved cognitive flexibility, which suggests that ginkgo might benefit not only older adults but also younger individuals looking to boost mental sharpness.

Mood and Emotional Health

Ginkgo biloba has been associated with improved mood and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, particularly in older adults. This is likely due to ginkgo’s effect on neurotransmitter systems that regulate mood, such as dopamine and serotonin (learn more about neurotransmitters in our online course Herbs for the Brain). Some studies have observed that individuals with generalized anxiety disorder experience a reduction in symptoms when taking ginkgo supplements, and while we need further clinical studies to see how relevant ginkgo is for anxiety it is worth noting that this herb has better clinical results than St. John’s wort for anxiety (which has excellent effects for mild-to-moderate depression, but not necessarily anxiety).

Antioxidant Protection and Brain Health

Oxidative stress is a major factor in the development of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Ginkgo’s antioxidant-rich flavonoids help neutralize free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress. This herb should certainly be part of a protocol addressing age-related cognitive decline.

Using Ginkgo Biloba: Dosage and Considerations

Ginkgo biloba is widely available as a supplement in various forms, including capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts. Typical doses for cognitive enhancement range from 120 to 240 mg per day, divided into two or three doses. I recommend taking Ginkgo as capsules or using the powdered dried herb in milk, honey, or adding to foods such as oatmeal and yogurt. This is because I advise using an alcohol tincture generally for immediate, short-term needs and not as an on-going or long-term remedy especially for something such as brain or mental health. Powders are much more suited to long-term use.

If you are using an alcohol tincture of Ginkgo biloba, the standard daily dose generally recommended is about 20 to 30 drops (equivalent to about 1 to 1.5 ml) taken up to three times per day. Commonly, ginkgo tincture is prepared at a 1:5 ratio (1 part ginkgo leaf to 5 parts alcohol), and it is often taken with meals to aid absorption and reduce any potential for stomach upset. If you are a caregiver, be watchful for signs of nausea or upset stomach, and change the way you provide ginkgo to avoid digestive upset. Better yet, use capsules or powders in food sources.

Ginkgo Contraindications

Though Ginkgo is generally one of our safer herbs, there can still be a need for awareness around contraindications. Ginkgo biloba can interact with certain medications such as blood thinners (like warfarin) and antiplatelet drugs, because Ginkgo already provides blood-thinning effects and combining pharma drugs is basically causing an overdose. Also, while ginkgo is generally safe for most people, it can cause mild side effects, such as headaches, digestive upset, or dizziness.

Herbs for the Brain Online Course

If you’re a beginner, or someone curious about this topic and you want to support yourself or loved ones, check out our Herbs for the Brain Beginner online course, which will provide you a solid overview, a look at dozens of herbs and foods, and a 24-recipe e-book to help you create an action plan.

If you are a professional, our Herbs for the Brain Certificate Course provides 13 CEUs and CH (Contact Hours) for nurses and acupuncturists as well as AHG RH hours for herbalists. The course is specially designed for these professions as well as social workers, aromatherapist, and caregivers seeking a diving deep into botanical and nutrient-based therapies for herbal and mental health. The course includes a Student Workbook, Student Coursebook, learning objectives, and up-to-date scientific and research-based case studies.