Ginkgo biloba: traditional uses of the leaf, how to prepare it, and when to leave it alone

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Ginkgo is the fan-leaved tree you walk past in city parks, and its leaves are one of the best known ingredients in Western herbalism. This page covers what the leaf actually contains, what herbalists traditionally credit it with, how to make a drinkable infusion at home, and the very real reasons some people should skip it entirely.

What it is credited with

• Traditional Chinese medicine has used ginkgo leaf preparations for centuries, and credits them with supporting circulation to the extremities.
• Western herbalists recommend the leaf as a tonic for people who complain of cold hands and feet and a feeling of heavy, tired legs.
• Naturopathy credits it with supporting alertness and memory in older adults, and it is the plant most often suggested for that purpose.
• It has a long-standing reputation in herbal practice for easing ringing in the ears and spells of dizziness.
• Herbal tradition also associates it with headaches of circulatory origin and with the discomfort some travellers feel at altitude.
• Its flavonoids are widely described in naturopathy as antioxidants, part of the broader antioxidant intake of a varied diet.
• In older European herbal use, the leaf was taken as part of a tonic course for premenstrual heaviness and low mood.

How to use it

The leaf is bitter and thin-tasting on its own. Blending it with green tea, as is done traditionally, makes it far more pleasant.

• Everyday infusion: mix equal parts dried ginkgo leaf and green tea leaf — about a handful of each — and keep the blend in a jar. Use one level teaspoon per cup.
• Brewing: pour a cup of just-boiled water over the teaspoon of blend, cover, and leave seven minutes. Strain.
• Finishing: a spoon of honey or a squeeze of lemon takes the edge off the bitterness.
• Rhythm: one to two cups a day, mid-morning and mid-afternoon rather than at bedtime, since the green tea carries caffeine.
• Course length: herbalists usually work in courses of a few weeks with a break afterwards, rather than drinking it indefinitely.
• Ready-made extracts: if you prefer capsules or a standardised extract, follow the maker’s instructions on the label and do not stack several products together.

Frequently Asked Questions

The one thing to remember: ginkgo is a leaf infusion best blended with green tea, one to two cups a day in short courses — and it comes off the menu completely before surgery and during pregnancy.

Which part of the ginkgo do I actually use?

The dried leaf is the part used in herbalism, and it is the leaf behind every infusion, tincture and extract on the shelf. The seed kernels are a culinary ingredient in East Asian cooking and must always be cooked, never eaten raw. The fleshy fruit pulp is not used at all and irritates skin.

What does ginkgo tea taste like?

Grassy and faintly bitter, with a dry astringent finish that some people find thin on its own. The traditional fix is to blend the dried leaf half and half with green tea leaf. A spoonful of honey or a squeeze of lemon rounds it out nicely.

How long should I drink it for?

Herbalists typically work in courses of a few weeks followed by a break, rather than drinking it continuously. One to two cups a day is the usual rhythm. Take them in the morning and early afternoon, since the green tea in the blend carries caffeine.

Can I take ginkgo if I am on medication?

Check first. Ginkgo can increase the tendency to bleed, so it does not sit well with blood thinners, anti-platelet drugs or regular anti-inflammatories, and it is best avoided with seizure medication. It is also contraindicated in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, and is not for children. Stop at least three days before any operation.

Can I pick leaves from a street tree?

Better not: roadside trees sit in exhaust and grime all year. If you have access to a garden or park tree away from traffic, gather firm leaves from late summer to mid-autumn as they turn gold, and dry them flat in the shade. Store them whole in an airtight jar.

• Read also: how to grow Ginkgo biloba
• Ginkgo is also a first-rate ornamental tree, with a lifespan that can exceed a thousand years.

This information is provided for general interest and reflects the traditional use of plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are on medication, pregnant, or in any doubt, ask a healthcare professional.