Fwd: ~Ginkgo Biloba ~

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Ginkgo (also called the Maidenhair Tree) is one of the more interesting herbs, not only because the plant itself is actually a tree, but because this tree has been in existence virtually unchanged since the age of the dinosaurs. The Ginkgo Biloba is the only surviving member of the family Ginkgoaceae, a family that numbered around 18 members at its height. The entire family of plants appears to have been wiped out by the ice age, and the Ginkgo was thought to be extinct until specimens were found in China. It is the descendants of these very trees that populate the streets and gardens of modern civilization. The Ginkgo is a long-lived deciduous tree (loses its leaves in the fall), and has a moderate growth rate. It can be somewhat gawky and thin looking when very young, but becomes a large, stately tree as it ages. It takes 10-12 years for a Ginkgo to reach 20 feet, and about 20 years to attain a rounded shape as a shade tree. It has distinctive fan-shaped leaves that turn a very showy yellow color in the fall, and it makes a good

specimen or shade tree in the landscape. It prefers full sun and humidity, and will withstand salt spray, pollution, and storms. In fact, the Ginkgo was the first tree to bud after the atomic bomb blast in Hiroshima. The only real necessity is good drainage. In urban settings it usually matures at about 80 feet. The tallest Ginkgo on record, however, is 1,100 years old and tops out at 200 feet. Ginkgo will not produce seed until the tree is 25-30 years old, but it is suggested that for a home landscape situation you choose a male Ginkgo, because the females bear fruit that, quite frankly, stinks

to high heaven. Deer will not bother a Ginkgo, so it is a good choice if you have deer roaming freely in the area.Plant Ginkgo in spring or fall, and stake young trees to ensure that they do not grow crookedly. Be sure to place in an area with excellent drainage. Otherwise, these are pest-free, extremely tolerant landscape trees. Propagate by seed (harvest seed in mid-summer, and stratify at 40 degrees for 3 months), by softwood cuttings taken in mid-summer, or by grafting. Of course, you can always go to the nursery and buy one, which is the easiest and fastest method!~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Ginkgo has no uses in the kitchen but it does have documented uses in the medicine cabinet.Worldwide, Ginkgo is an extremely popular herb that millions use for better health. It is sometimes called an anti-aging herb because it has been proven to increase blood circulation to the entire

body, especially the brain, increasing mood, mental alertness, memory, and overall stamina, which are the very functions that diminish as we age. Much study has been done on Ginkgo and its effects, and indeed, it does appear to be about as close to a fountain of youth as we are going to get anytime soon. Fresh Ginkgo leaves can be dried and used in teas or made into capsules if you are lucky enough to have a Ginkgo tree close at hand, or you can buy standardized Ginkgo online or at a health food store. Ginkgo is one of the only herbs that has been reliably standardized, so you know exactly what you are getting.Controlled studies have revealed that Ginkgo does improve cognitive functioning due to improved blood flow in arteries and capillaries. It is often taken by older people as a sort of energizer to improve mood, alertness, memory, and attention span. It appears to protect veins and arteries and preserve their tone and

elasticity. It is therefore used for problems associated with atherosclerosis, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Raynaud's Syndrome, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, and associated poor circulation, including tingling, pain, and numbness in the extremities. This same improved blood flow characteristic also appears to have some impact on macular degeneration, with documented improvement in the vision of some patients, and symptoms of tinnitus and vertigo. Other less documented but likely benefits concern relief from hangovers, impotency in males, and sex drive in both males and females, making it something of an aphrodisiac. Other studies have revealed that Ginkgo has powerful antioxidant properties, thus making it a good choice for prevention and possibly reversal of stroke damage, cardiovascular problems and occlusive arterial disease,

and that it has benefit in reducing the inflammation caused by asthma and allergies, and relieves symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis outbreaks.Lastly, Ginkgo has been extensively studied, and side effects are minimal, if any. In rare cases, reports of stomach upset and headache have occurred, usually due to overuse. A prudent strategy is to start with a low dose and work your way up, as with any herbal remedy. A usual dosage of prepared, standardized Ginkgo is 40 to 80 mg three times per day. If using tea, start with 2-3 cups per day and work your way up.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Ginkgo is an absolutely fascinating herb, magically speaking. It's not too much of a stretch to look at the leaf shape and see one half of the hemisphere of the human brain. Indeed, the ancients saw this correlation and as a result, the leaf has been used as a brain food for centuries, both in

medicine and in magic. It is a tree that can survive for 1,000 years or more, making it a true "Tree of Life!" Due to its age, Ginkgo is considered an elder with high magical energy, and is used in longevity and age spells. A tradition is to plant a Ginkgo on the occasion of births to ensure long life, and in death to ensure longevity in the peaceful afterworld. Ginkgo is also considered an aphrodisiac and fertility herb, and can be used in love and fertility spells to these ends. Indeed, Ginkgo seeds are sometimes substituted for Lotus seeds at weddings due to this property. One legend has it that if a girl sits under a male Ginkgo tree on a moonlit night, combs her hair and makes a wish, her wish will come true.Wood from Ginkgo trees can be carried for healing, and the leaf can be used in healing rituals. Also try a tea for healing and for mental acuity before an examination or important business

dealing.Blessings, StarrNote: forwarded message attached.

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