Ginkgo. The Super Food With a Super Name.

Ginkgo Biloba is considered, in some circles, to be a super food. The biggest reasoning for this designation? It increases blood flow to the brain!

In this blog post we look at where Ginkgo came from (the history behind Ginkgo is unreal), the health effects it contains, and the teas available that contain this amazing ingredient!

HISTORY

Ginkgo Biloba is the oldest living plant of known record! Fossils have been found containing this plant dating all the way back to 270-MILLION years ago! Yeah, not a typo. 270-MILLION years. Which means the super-great grandparents of the Ginkgo you consume, were consumed by the dinosaurs!

Ginkgo plants fell off the fossil record around 7 Million years ago, believed to have gone extinct with the dinosaurs. The plant was discovered in 1691 in Chinese monasteries and temple gardens.

Buddhist monks had been cultivating this plant since 1100 A.D., and by the 18th century the Ginkgo seeds had spread to Europe.

In a bittersweet piece of history, a Ginkgo tree planted in a temple in Hiroshima was located 1.1 kilometers from the blast center where the Atom Bomb had been dropped. Despite the total destruction of the temple from the bombing, the Ginkgo plant was found still erect, with no damage or deformity of any kind. The tree even began to bud, and was found to have no deformities or toxins of any kind.

HEALTH EFFECTS

Antioxidants

Ginkgo is known to contain large amounts of antioxidants. Containing high levels of flavonoids and terpenoids, this ingredient can reduce aging, and is known to combat or neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals.

Inflammation

Inflammation is the bodies reaction to injury or invasion, and is a response of the immune system. Chronic diseases can trigger excessive inflammation, causing permanent damage to the body, tissue, or DNA.

In a recent study, Ginkgo has been found to reduce inflammation in arthritis, irritable bowel disease, cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

Circulation & Heart Health

Historically, Ginkgo was used to allow the flow of "energy" to the kidneys, liver, brain and lungs. Because science has advanced so dramatically over the years, it is now know the "energy" flowing to the body was actually due to increased blood circulation.

One study in patients with heart disease found an immediate increase in blood flow, resulting in a 12% increase of nitric oxide circulation. Nitric oxide is a compound known for dilating blood vessels.

Other studies have shown ginkgo "protects" the heart, brain and prevents strokes. This is mostly attributed to is anti-inflammatory effects.

Psychiatric Disorders & Dementia

Ginkgo has been studied frequently for its effects on anxiety, stress and Alzheimer's. While more research is required, some studies have shown a significant reduction in the rate of cognitive decline for those suffering from dementia.

The medical benefits of ginkgo have also been found to assist with ED, low libido, PMS symptoms, asthma and COPD, headaches and migraines, eye health, depression, and anxiety. This ancient plant has survived the dinosaurs, atomic bombs, and lives on today to bring a wide variety of benefits to you and the ones you love!

Find Ginkgo In These Sonoran Blossom Teas