Family

Ginkgoaceae

Genus

Ginkgo

Common Name

Ginko

Plant Figure

Description

Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo) is often referred to as 'a living fossil' of the plant kingdom and is the sole living member of the Ginkgoalean clade. This species plays an important role as a link between primitive non-flowering plants and advanced seed-producing plants. Ginkgo is an old, dioecious, monotypic species native to China but presents important medicinal characteristics. Ginkgo leaf extract (GBE) is among the best-selling herbal remedies in the United States and in many European countries. GBE has also been used as an herbal medicine in China for thousands of years and has been especially beneficial for the protection against early-stage Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Flavonoids, terpenoids and proanthocyanidins in GBE act as the main pharmacological components, especially, flavonoids are the major bioactive ingredients in Ginkgo.