Ginkgo Benefits, Uses, Side Effects According to Ayurveda

Metabolic Nature of Ginkgo

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

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DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

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LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

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TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

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SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

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SOUR

ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic.

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DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
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PACIFIES

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
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PACIFIES

CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

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SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot and oily with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body. Vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

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AGGRAVATES

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

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Other

Affinity:

Heart Circulation Blood,

Anti Aging

ANTI-AGING

Geriatric conditions typically involve low agni / metabolism, poor circulation, weakness & debility, muscle weakening, poor digestion, a drop in sex hormones, and connective tissue degradation in bones & skin.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-AGING' FOODS / HERBS

, Immune System, Mind Stress Sleep

Family:

Ginkgoaceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Ginkgo
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)

Cleanse & Detox:

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Nervine

STRONG NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

Neuroprotective

STRONG NEUROPROTECTIVE

Repairs / restores damaged nerves. Protects nerve health.

SEE ALL 'NEUROPROTECTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

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Antidepressant

ANTIDEPRESSANT

Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function.

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Boosts Gaba

BOOSTS-GABA

GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, reduces nerve excitability. It is the body's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. Thus, it promotes relaxation, calm, and sleep.

SEE ALL 'BOOSTS-GABA' FOODS / HERBS

Brain Tonic

BRAIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the brain and thereby enhances memory or other cognitive functions and improves mental stamina or stability.

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Cholinergic

CHOLINERGIC

Increases acetylcholine production or uptake, improving nerve health, memory, mood, coordination, and protecting neurons.

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Nerve Growth Tonic

NERVE-GROWTH-TONIC

Stimulate neurite / axon growth, promotes regeneration.

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Skin Care & Beauty:

Antifibrotic

ANTIFIBROTIC

Fibrosis of an organ is often a progressive leading to organ failure (i.e lungs, liver, kidney). While vulneraries usually help restore collagen, antifibrotic herbs often clear collagen. Aka fibrinolytic.

SEE ALL 'ANTIFIBROTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Respiratory-Health:

Bronchodilator

BRONCHODILATOR

An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma.

SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:

Immune Calming

STRONG IMMUNE-CALMING

Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions.

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Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

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Antibacterial

ANTIBACTERIAL

Herbs that kill bacteria or slow their growth.

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Antifungal

ANTIFUNGAL

Herbs that destroy fungus.

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Antimicrobial

ANTIMICROBIAL

An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.

SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:

Cardiac Tonic

STRONG CARDIAC-TONIC

Strengthens and tones the heart (heart-tonic). Cardiac tonics are used to treat a wide range of heart issues from arrhythmia, to cardiac insufficiency.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Ace Inhibitor

ACE-INHIBITOR

Used to lower blood pressure. Promotes diuresis by inhibiting angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE).

SEE ALL 'ACE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

Alterative

ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

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Antioxidant

ANTIOXIDANT

An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions.

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Antiplatelet

ANTIPLATELET

An herb that inhibits clotting, dissolves clots, thins the blood, or destroys platelets, therefore reducing the tendency of blood to form clots. They are useful in cardiovascular disease, clots, and stroke. Aka anticoagulant.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPLATELET' FOODS / HERBS

Blood Thinner

BLOOD-THINNER

Herbs that thin the blood. Helpful for people with heart disease or clogged circulation.

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Hypotensive

HYPOTENSIVE

An herb that lowers blood pressure.

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Reduces Secretions

REDUCES-SECRETIONS

Stops discharges & secretions (examples include sweat, vaginal discharge, diarrhea, urinary, nasal, etc). Commonly astringent or cooling remedies.

SEE ALL 'REDUCES-SECRETIONS' FOODS / HERBS

Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

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Vessel Tonic

VESSEL-TONIC

An herb that improves the tone and integrity of blood vessel walls. This is helpful in easy bruising.

SEE ALL 'VESSEL-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Kidney & Urinary:

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Liver & Gallbladder:

Hepatoprotective

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

An herb that is capable of preventing liver damage. Many hepatoprotectives work via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

SEE ALL 'HEPATOPROTECTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Weight Loss:

Hypolipidemic

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.

SEE ALL 'HYPOLIPIDEMIC' FOODS / HERBS

Other:

Quercitin

Constituents:

Flavonoids

STRONG FLAVONOIDS

Flavonoids are a colorful type of polyphenol. As all polyphenols, they have a strong antioxidant effect. Many flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory, and/or antiallergen effect.

SEE ALL 'FLAVONOIDS' FOODS / HERBS

Inositol

INOSITOL

Inositol is an alcohol sugar made naturally in the human body from glucose. It is lipotropic (aiding fat metabilism in the liver). It affects a variety of hormones, neurotransmitters, steroid, growth factors and water.

SEE ALL 'INOSITOL' FOODS / HERBS

Polyphenols

POLYPHENOLS

Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants seen in many fruits and vegetables. There are more than 8,000 types.

SEE ALL 'POLYPHENOLS' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Ginkgo

Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common
Antioxidant, Brain-tonic, Immune-calming, Neuroprotective, Anti-inflammatory, Antifungal, Antiplatelet, Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Alterative, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Nerve-growth-tonic, Analgesic, Antifibrotic
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Turmeric Root (Fresh)

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Antifungal, Antiplatelet, Hypolipidemic, Nerve-growth-tonic, Alterative, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Brain-tonic, Immune-calming, Neuroprotective, Analgesic, Antifibrotic, Antioxidant
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Ginger (Fresh)

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory, Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Nervine, Antifibrotic, Brain-tonic, Hypotensive, Neuroprotective, Analgesic, Antiplatelet, Hepatoprotective
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Rosemary

Rosemary has these Actions in Common
Antidepressant, Brain-tonic, Cholinergic, Nervine, Antifungal, Bronchodilator, Immune-calming, Neuroprotective, Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Cardiac-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator
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Garlic (raw)

Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common
Antifibrotic, Antiplatelet, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Ace-inhibitor, Antifungal, Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Vasodilator, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Bronchodilator, Hypotensive
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Green Tea

Green Tea has these Actions in Common
Antibacterial, Blood-thinner, Diuretic, Neuroprotective, Antidepressant, Boosts-gaba, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Bronchodilator, Nerve-growth-tonic
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Tarragon

Tarragon has these Actions in Common
Alterative, Antiplatelet, Cardiac-tonic, Vasodilator, Analgesic, Blood-thinner, Diuretic, Antimicrobial, Boosts-gaba, Internal-detoxicant
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Dandelion Leaves

Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common
Hypolipidemic, Antimicrobial, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Alterative, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Blood-thinner
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Sage

Sage has these Actions in Common
Bronchodilator, Internal-detoxicant, Neuroprotective, Analgesic, Cholinergic, Nerve-growth-tonic, Reduces-secretions, Antidepressant, Immune-calming, Nervine
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Grape

Grape has these Actions in Common
Antiplatelet, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Brain-tonic, Nervine, Antioxidant, Diuretic, Neuroprotective, Alterative
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Basil

Basil has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Bronchodilator, Internal-detoxicant, Antibacterial, Diuretic, Nervine, Antidepressant, Immune-calming, Vasodilator
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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Ginkgo

Sage, Red

Sage, Red has these Actions in Common
Antimicrobial, Hypotensive, Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Antiplatelet, Neuroprotective, Boosts-gaba, Vasodilator, Cardiac-tonic, Vessel-tonic, Alterative, Cholinergic, Anti-inflammatory, Hepatoprotective, Antifibrotic, Hypolipidemic
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Dong Quai

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Hepatoprotective, Anti-inflammatory, Hypolipidemic, Antifibrotic, Hypotensive, Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Antiplatelet, Internal-detoxicant, Blood-thinner, Nervine, Boosts-gaba, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Vessel-tonic
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Hawthorne Berry & Flower

Hawthorne Berry & Flower has these Actions in Common
Antioxidant, Internal-detoxicant, Antiplatelet, Vasodilator, Blood-thinner, Vessel-tonic, Cardiac-tonic, Ace-inhibitor, Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Hypolipidemic, Antidepressant, Hypotensive, Antifibrotic, Immune-calming
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Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common
Antidepressant, Neuroprotective, Antioxidant, Boosts-gaba, Brain-tonic, Ace-inhibitor, Diuretic, Alterative, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Nerve-growth-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Nervine
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Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common
Bronchodilator, Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Hypolipidemic, Antibacterial, Immune-calming, Antidepressant, Internal-detoxicant, Antifungal, Nervine, Antimicrobial, Vasodilator, Boosts-gaba
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St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort has these Actions in Common
Blood-thinner, Boosts-gaba, Brain-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Analgesic, Nerve-growth-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Nervine, Antidepressant, Neuroprotective, Antimicrobial, Vessel-tonic
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Motherwort

Motherwort has these Actions in Common
Antiplatelet, Cardiac-tonic, Diuretic, Alterative, Hypotensive, Analgesic, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Nervine, Antidepressant, Vessel-tonic, Antifibrotic
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Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle has these Actions in Common
Antioxidant, Diuretic, Hepatoprotective, Hypolipidemic, Alterative, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Nervine, Antifibrotic, Neuroprotective, Antimicrobial
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Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Neuroprotective, Antidepressant, Vasodilator, Boosts-gaba, Brain-tonic, Cholinergic, Immune-calming, Nerve-growth-tonic, Ace-inhibitor, Nervine
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Angelica

Angelica has these Actions in Common
Hypolipidemic, Hypotensive, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Nervine, Antioxidant, Vasodilator, Antiplatelet, Blood-thinner, Bronchodilator, Hepatoprotective
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Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Metabolic Nature of Ginkgo

Metabolic Nature

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The 6 Tastes

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The Three Doshas / Body Types

The Four Temperaments / Humors

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Other

ANTI-AGING

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Ginkgo Experiences are Personal Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

STRONG NERVINE

STRONG NEUROPROTECTIVE

ANALGESIC

ANTIDEPRESSANT

BOOSTS-GABA

BRAIN-TONIC

CHOLINERGIC

NERVE-GROWTH-TONIC

ANTIFIBROTIC

BRONCHODILATOR

STRONG IMMUNE-CALMING

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

ANTIBACTERIAL

ANTIFUNGAL

ANTIMICROBIAL

STRONG CARDIAC-TONIC

ACE-INHIBITOR

ALTERATIVE

ANTIOXIDANT

ANTIPLATELET

BLOOD-THINNER

HYPOTENSIVE

REDUCES-SECRETIONS

VASODILATOR

VESSEL-TONIC

DIURETIC

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

STRONG FLAVONOIDS

INOSITOL

POLYPHENOLS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Ginkgo

Turmeric has these Actions in Common

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Rosemary has these Actions in Common

Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

Green Tea has these Actions in Common

Tarragon has these Actions in Common

Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

Sage has these Actions in Common

Grape has these Actions in Common

Basil has these Actions in Common

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Ginkgo

Sage, Red has these Actions in Common

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

Hawthorne Berry & Flower has these Actions in Common

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

St. John's Wort has these Actions in Common

Motherwort has these Actions in Common

Milk Thistle has these Actions in Common

Lemon Balm has these Actions in Common

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Ginkgo
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS