Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as the maidenhair tree, is one of the world's oldest living tree species. Renowned for its unique fan-shaped leaves, this botanical wonder is widely utilized in traditional medicine to support cognitive function, enhance memory, and improve blood circulation, offering potent antioxidant benefits for brain health.

  • Scientific name: Ginkgo biloba
  • Family: Ginkgoaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Ginkgoidae. It is uniquely positioned within the order Ginkgoales and the family Ginkgoaceae. Ultimately, it is classified under the single-species genus Ginkgo.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Ginkgoidae WCVP
Order Ginkgoales WCVP
Family Ginkgoaceae WCVP
Genus Ginkgo WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution that spans across several distinct regions. In Asia, its natural range includes China South-Central, China North-Central, and China Southeast. Moving toward the European continent, the species can be found in Southeastern Europe, specifically within Romania. Additionally, the plant is present in Middle Europe, notably in Austria. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to establish itself across various environmental zones.

Region Area Source
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Southeastern Europe Romania WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
North-Central U.S.A. Illinois WCVP

Chemicals

Ginkgo biloba has 232 reported phytochemicals identified across 599 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, bilobalide, quercetin, kaempferol, ginkgolide B.

Total chemicals
232
Scientific sources
599

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 39 ★★★★★
bilobalide 34 ★★★★★
quercetin 34 ★★★★★
kaempferol 27 ★★★★★
ginkgolide B 25 ★★★★★
EGb 14 ★★★★★
ginkgolic acids 14 ★★★★★
ginkgolide A 14 ★★★★★
rutin 14 ★★★★★
terpenoids 14 ★★★★★

Activities

Ginkgo biloba has 45 reported activities identified across 119 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, Anticancer, Antibacterial, Hepatoprotective.

Total activities
45
Scientific sources
119

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 27 ★★★★★
Neuroprotective 18 ★★★★★
Anticancer 7 ★★★★☆
Antibacterial 5 ★★★☆☆
Hepatoprotective 4 ★★☆☆☆
Antidementia 3 ★★☆☆☆
Antihypertensive 3 ★★☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 3 ★★☆☆☆
Antitumor 3 ★★☆☆☆
Cardioprotective 3 ★★☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Ginkgo biloba has 240 reported medicinal uses identified across 508 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, oxidative stress.

Total uses
240
Scientific sources
508

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
dementia 27 ★★★★★
Alzheimer's disease 26 ★★★★★
cancer 13 ★★★★★
cardiovascular diseases 13 ★★★★★
oxidative stress 13 ★★★★★
cognitive impairment 9 ★★★★☆
memory 9 ★★★★☆
tinnitus 9 ★★★★☆
anxiety 8 ★★★★☆
cerebral ischemia 8 ★★★★☆