Skip to content
Photo of Ginkgo Leaf

Ginkgo Leaf

银杏叶 · Yín Xìng Yè

Sharpens your focus and keeps blood flowing smoothly

Properties

NeutralNeutral botanicalSweet, Bitter, Astringent

What it does

Ginkgo leaf is traditionally used to sharpen your focus, improve memory, and support circulation. In TCM, it's said to get blood moving more efficiently, especially to your brain. It also supports your lungs in holding onto qi, your body's vital energy. It's one of the most-studied botanicals in the world, with 45 clinical trials exploring cognitive function, dementia, and vascular health.

How to take it

Capsule

Look for a standardized ginkgo extract (like EGb 761) in capsule form. A typical dose is 120mg per day, split into two doses with meals.

Start with 60mg twice daily for two weeks and see how you feel

Safety

  • Ginkgo is considered slightly toxic in TCM. Always use prepared extracts, not raw leaves
  • Can thin your blood. Skip this if you take blood thinners like warfarin or aspirin
  • Stop taking ginkgo at least 2 weeks before any planned surgery
  • Not recommended if you're pregnant or nursing
  • Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication

Where it comes from

The ginkgo tree is one of the oldest living species on Earth. Fossils date back over 200 million years, earning it the nickname 'living fossil.' In China, ancient ginkgos still stand in temple courtyards, some over a thousand years old. The leaf entered the global spotlight in the 1960s when German researchers developed EGb 761, a standardized extract that became one of the most-studied plant supplements in history, with 45 clinical trials exploring memory and brain health.