Ginkgo is one of the best examples of a living fossil appearing over 270 million years ago. It is also one of the longest-living trees in the world, with some trees said to be living up to over 2,000 years old.
Ginkgo is native to China, where it is now also cultivated. The leaf, nuts, and seeds are all used medicinally to help improve blood circulation and memory and fight bacterial and fungal infections. The Chinese have prescribed ginkgo for treating asthma and bronchitis since 2600 BC.
Ginkgo nuts are used in rice soups, called conges, in Japan and China, and are very popular for weddings and celebrating Chinese New Year as part of a dish called Buddha’s Delight. Roasted ginkgo seeds that have had the pulp removed are considered a delicacy in China and Japan. (Note – The whole seed is unsafe to eat.)
Ginkgo is an ancient tree with important healing properties.
