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Gingko Biloba - Powerful Plant Medicine



Amidst the bustling city, have you ever spotted hues of gold, saffron, and amber fan-shaped leaves fluttering about at local parks or on the streets during the autumn season? These leaves resemble elegant goldfish tails with veins radiating outward, almost identical to the branches from the Tree of Life, spreading its vitality and beauty outward from within. Ginkgo Biloba (銀杏), known as a Living Fossil, traces its roots to East Asia. These trees are said to thrive before the Mesozoic Era (dinosaur era), with the oldest traces of their species dating back more than 200 million years ago. Despite dramatic climate changes, Gingko trees remain unchanged. 


It is considered so sacred that many Shinto shrines and Buddhist Temples in Asia, like China and Japan, house them. This species symbolizes elegance, hope, endurance, longevity, resilience, and adaptability. A few years ago, one Ginko tree in China, aged 1400 years old, attracted tourists from all over the world to witness a fleeting yet enduring spectacle, carpeting the earth beneath its venerable tree with its ephemeral gold. Each leaf is a testament to the tree's enduring legacy, carrying the weight of millions of years within its veins. If you are curious, feel free to google and view the magnificence of this beautiful tree.


Did you know?


  • Ginkgo nuts are dioecious, meaning separate sex. Only females produce fruit. When a handful of fruit falls on the ground, be warned you will be greeted with a pungent smell; similar to animal poop or rancid cheese. Such an awful smell is why most cities plant male ginkgo trees. 


  • You can use the leaves for tea or tincture!




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My Intuitive Take on Ginkgo Bilobas


I am passionate about experimenting with foods that benefit my constitution. Over the years, I've felt detoxification in my bloodstream just by eating ginkgo nuts. I tend to have poor circulation so I'm pretty confident that Gingko nuts are beneficial in increasing my blood circulation, boosting my "chi" (energy), and allowing me to be physically more active. Energetically, the vitality from Gingko trees feels different from other trees. If you're sensitive to the energies of plants, you will find plants embody both female and male energies, with some possessing stronger female or male energies. With Gingko trees, I've consistently felt stronger male energy, even if the Gingko tree is female. Remember, despite having different sexes, all living beings embody female and male energies within.These energy shifts as we evolve and operate in the present moment. Let's be open-minded to the rhythm of Mother Nature. 


When you go to a health store, you'll find supplements with ginkgo extracts. Why not give it a try? It is in supplemental form if you cannot access fresh ginkgo nuts.



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My Relationship with Ginkgo Biloba 


It is my daily ritual to nourish body, mind, and spirit by exploring natural foods, especially those I can forage for in nature. Here is my story: 

Living in Vancouver for years, my daily routine mostly kept me indoors—running errands, working in the office, attending meetups, and occasional outdoor adventures or dog walks. At one point, I was forced to take care of my body through eating nutritional foods. I began to explore Chinese cuisine, thus I was introduced to ginkgo nuts, which became an occasional staple in my diet for their nutritional value. Purchased from T&T, these deshelled, pre-cooked, vacuum-sealed nuts became a favorite ingredient in my cooking, especially in clear soups. Their rich, nutty flavor with a pleasant bitter undertone, coupled with a dense yet soft texture, made them irresistible.

My love for ginkgo nuts deepened when I tried freshly roasted ones in Taiwan with my crystal sound healing friend. These nuts, with their jade green hue, tasted far superior to the packaged ones. Excited, I later bought raw ginkgo nuts from H-Mart, only to have them explode in my frying pan during roasting, leaving me with rock-hard nuts. Despite this mishap, my love for ginkgo nuts remains. 


“Mother Nature is always communicating with us, guiding us to stay connected to our soul essence. Only when we allow ourselves to slow down, listen and just be.”

- Unknown


I continue to embrace curiosity and explore the world around me, as it may reveal treasures just as it did for me when I mindfully slowed down; last Spring, I began exploring my neighborhood on foot. By slowing my pace, I explored different paths and eventually stumbled upon two ginkgo trees. By Autumn, golden jewels dropped from the branches. It brought me immense joy; Nature's gifts ready to nourish my body and soul!

Here are some pictures I took foraging gingko nuts. My second attempt to pan roast the nuts was a huge success! 






Here are crucial tips from my research that I'd like to share with you, from forage to table:


  • While ginkgo nuts are prized for medical benefits (scroll below to learn more), it is toxic when you overeat. They contain a toxic compound that inhibits your body's ability to absorb one of the B vitamins, and can lead to seizures, stroke, and even death. This compound is only partially broken-down by cooking, and so, even cooked, a healthy adult shouldn't consume more than 10-12 seeds per day. Children should eat half of that. Don't eat gingko more than 3 times a week.


  • Never eat the fruit and seed raw!


  • Use plastic bags and gloves when you touch the fruit. When harvesting the seeds, DO NOT squeeze the pulp out with your bare hands. Gingko fruits can cause severe skin inflammation. Some people have rashes or molted skin within a few hours of contact.


  • After you separate the pulp from the seed, wash away any remaining flesh thoroughly and let it dry for up to 48 hours before you cook the seeds.


  • You can drizzle cooking oil and roast your ginkgo nuts on medium to high heat for 5-10 minutes until the shell cracks.


  • ​​Once cooked, crack the shell with a nutcracker, or the flat of a knife, or place the shell between chopsticks and crack with a knife to remove the seed. You will also have to rub away the dark, papery skin. The edible portion will be golden yellow, bright olive green or rich jade green.


  • There you go, sprinkle salt and eat on its own!


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Medicinal Benefits for Ginkgo nuts I’ve found through reading: 


Always consult with your doctor before consuming, as they can have interactions with other medications or are contraindicated for certain health conditions.


  • Increase Blood Circulation  - It contains anti-platelet activating factors that prevent blood from thickening too much, thus improving circulation. - In a non-heaty way, it allows your sweat glands to open up and release toxins. I find it can help with cold hands and welcome acute sensitivity to your palm chakras if you do any hands-on healing work.


  • Antioxidant Properties - These compounds combat oxidative stress in the body and prevent chronic diseases.


  • Improves Cognitive Functions in the Brain -Supporting blood flow to the body and to the brain. Therefore, increasing focus and memory.


  • Anti-Inflammatory Compounds - It helps to reduce inflammation in the body, which can be sensitive to outside pollution or autoimmune issues. Spiritually, inflammation can be a physical manifestation of stress and trauma if repressed for long periods.


  • Support Respiratory Health - It can alleviate symptoms of asthma and coughs by soothing the respiratory system.


  • Supports Eye Health - Improving blood circulation within the body can prevent damage from low-tension glaucoma.





Resources:


Hooton, C. (2015, November 27). This Buddhist temple’s 1,400-year-old ginkgo tree is .

dropping a sea of yellow | The Independent. The Independent.


400yearold-ginkgo-tree-is-dropping-a-sea-of-yellow-a6749676.html


Ld, A. H. R. (2022, December 14). 12 Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba (Plus Side Effects &


Virtue, D., & Reeves, R. (2016, January 1). Nutrition for Intuition. Hay House.

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