Ginkgo
PERIPHERAL CIRCULATION – COGNITIVE SUPPORT – COOLING ANTIOXIDANT
Ginkgo is an ancient guardian of circulation and cognition—cooling, protective and deeply restorative to the ageing brain and vascular system. Where there is constriction, stagnation or decline in flow, ginkgo gently opens the pathways, allowing nourishment to reach the smallest vessels.
This is a medicine of time and consistency. It works slowly and profoundly, supporting clarity, memory and peripheral circulation while protecting tissues from oxidative stress. Particularly suited to the later years, ginkgo brings lightness, movement and resilience to systems that have become tight, dry or restricted.
Indications:
Cognitive support & memory – Enhances blood flow to the brain, supporting memory, focus and clarity. Particularly useful in age-related cognitive decline.
Peripheral circulation – Improves blood flow to small vessels, supporting conditions such as cold extremities, Raynaud’s, varicosities and vascular insufficiency.
Antioxidant protection – Rich in flavonoids and terpenoids, protecting tissues from oxidative stress and supporting cellular longevity.
Eye health – Supports ocular circulation, assisting in conditions such as macular degeneration and glaucoma when blood flow is compromised.
Tinnitus & vertigo – Beneficial where symptoms are linked to poor circulation in the inner ear.
Mood & mental fatigue – Gently supports mood and mental clarity, particularly where stagnation and poor circulation underlie symptoms.
As a tincture…
3–7ml daily (approx. 20–50ml per week of a 3:2 leaf, 55% alcohol).
As a tea…
1 teaspoon dried leaf per cup of boiling water.
Steep 10–15 minutes. Drink 1–2 cups daily (best combined with other circulatory herbs).
Most like:
Gotu Kola – Both support cognition. Gotu kola is more regenerative and nervine; ginkgo is more circulatory and antioxidant.
Bacopa – A calming cognitive tonic. Bacopa is more adaptogenic and grounding; ginkgo is more vascular and flow-enhancing.
Rosemary – Improves memory through warming stimulation; ginkgo works through cooling, opening and protecting vessels.
Hawthorn – A cardiovascular tonic for the heart muscle; ginkgo focuses on peripheral and microvascular circulation.
Saffron – Supports mood and brain function through warming, penetrating action; ginkgo cools and enhances circulation to brain tissues.
Cautions:
Blood thinning – May increase bleeding risk. Use cautiously with anticoagulant medications or bleeding disorders.
Head heat & vascular headaches – Not suitable where there is excess heat or dilated headache patterns, as it may aggravate symptoms.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding – Avoid due to limited safety data.
Allergies – Rare sensitivity may occur, particularly in those reactive to urushiol-containing plants.
PERIPHERAL CIRCULATION – COGNITIVE SUPPORT – COOLING ANTIOXIDANT
Ginkgo is an ancient guardian of circulation and cognition—cooling, protective and deeply restorative to the ageing brain and vascular system. Where there is constriction, stagnation or decline in flow, ginkgo gently opens the pathways, allowing nourishment to reach the smallest vessels.
This is a medicine of time and consistency. It works slowly and profoundly, supporting clarity, memory and peripheral circulation while protecting tissues from oxidative stress. Particularly suited to the later years, ginkgo brings lightness, movement and resilience to systems that have become tight, dry or restricted.
Indications:
Cognitive support & memory – Enhances blood flow to the brain, supporting memory, focus and clarity. Particularly useful in age-related cognitive decline.
Peripheral circulation – Improves blood flow to small vessels, supporting conditions such as cold extremities, Raynaud’s, varicosities and vascular insufficiency.
Antioxidant protection – Rich in flavonoids and terpenoids, protecting tissues from oxidative stress and supporting cellular longevity.
Eye health – Supports ocular circulation, assisting in conditions such as macular degeneration and glaucoma when blood flow is compromised.
Tinnitus & vertigo – Beneficial where symptoms are linked to poor circulation in the inner ear.
Mood & mental fatigue – Gently supports mood and mental clarity, particularly where stagnation and poor circulation underlie symptoms.
As a tincture…
3–7ml daily (approx. 20–50ml per week of a 3:2 leaf, 55% alcohol).
As a tea…
1 teaspoon dried leaf per cup of boiling water.
Steep 10–15 minutes. Drink 1–2 cups daily (best combined with other circulatory herbs).
Most like:
Gotu Kola – Both support cognition. Gotu kola is more regenerative and nervine; ginkgo is more circulatory and antioxidant.
Bacopa – A calming cognitive tonic. Bacopa is more adaptogenic and grounding; ginkgo is more vascular and flow-enhancing.
Rosemary – Improves memory through warming stimulation; ginkgo works through cooling, opening and protecting vessels.
Hawthorn – A cardiovascular tonic for the heart muscle; ginkgo focuses on peripheral and microvascular circulation.
Saffron – Supports mood and brain function through warming, penetrating action; ginkgo cools and enhances circulation to brain tissues.
Cautions:
Blood thinning – May increase bleeding risk. Use cautiously with anticoagulant medications or bleeding disorders.
Head heat & vascular headaches – Not suitable where there is excess heat or dilated headache patterns, as it may aggravate symptoms.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding – Avoid due to limited safety data.
Allergies – Rare sensitivity may occur, particularly in those reactive to urushiol-containing plants.