Ginkgo tea is said to increase memory, promote blood circulation and improve sleep. But the ginklic acid it contains can also be harmful to your health. Here you can read what you should consider when preparing gingko tea.
Gingko tea is made from the leaves of the ginkgo tree. Ginkgo Biloba is the only living tree of the Ginkgoales species and is therefore often referred to as a “living fossil”. Ginkgo is extremely robust and has existed for 250 million years. Although the tree looks like a deciduous tree, ginkgo is a conifer. It can withstand temperatures of up to minus 30 degrees and is resistant to insects, fungi and bacteria thanks to the substances in the leaves. This means the trees can live up to 1000 years.
Ginkgo originally comes from China. In the 17th century, Dutch sailors brought the tree to Europe, where it has been planted as an ornamental tree ever since. Goethe was so fascinated by the tree that he dedicated a poem to it. The tree with the distinctive leaf shape is now widespread and very popular worldwide.
Ginkgo tea is particularly valued in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this article you will find out how the tea should work and what you should consider when preparing it.
Ginkgo tea: ingredients and effects
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / Marzena7)
The leaves of the tree contain unique ingredients that traditional Asian medicine has long been credited with having various healing effects. The most important ingredients include:
- Ginkgolide
- Bilobalide
- Ginkgolic acid
- Flavonoids
The spectrum of effects of ginkgo is diverse and has now been scientifically examined several times:
- Ginkgo is often mentioned especially in connection with improved memory performance and therefore also for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia. However, a large study from 2015 was unable to demonstrate an effect on Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- A study from 2012 shows that male ginkgo leaves in particular have a positive effect on blood circulation. This applies to both the blood flow to the brain and the muscles.
- Another study in 2015 examined the connection between the circulation-promoting effects of ginkgo and tinnitus. Depending on the cause of the disease, ginkgo has been able to help some patients.
- In 2013, the plant was also proven to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Another study with subjects who suffered from depression and sleep disorders showed that ginkgo could significantly improve the quality of sleep.
Ginkgo tea side effects
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / Kranich17)
In addition to the healing effects of ginkgo, undesirable side effects can occur when taking it. These include, among others:
- Headache
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Skin irritations
The ginkgolic acid contained in it is responsible for this. It protects the tree from pests such as insects, but also bacteria and fungi. According to the ARD, there is a suspicion that ginkgolic acid has a harmful effect on human health. Ginkgolic acid is said to cause allergies and even damage the genetic material if used long-term. However, this has not been scientifically confirmed.
Manufacturers of herbal preparations made from ginkgo, such as tablets, are therefore obliged to filter ginkgolic acid from the products as much as possible. However, this regulation does not apply to teas and dietary supplements. In the laboratory, greatly increased concentrations of ginkgolic acid could be detected in ginkgo teas. In the studies, however, the tea was dissolved in methanol. However, ginkgolic acid is only poorly soluble in water, as Rüdiger Hillmann from the Hesse-Rhineland-Palatinate Poison Information Center explains to ARD.
In addition, according to the Pharmacy Review, interactions with blood-thinning medications can occur. Taking ginkgo is also not recommended during pregnancy.
According to the consumer advice center, it therefore makes more sense to use medicinal extracts made from ginkgo leaves from the pharmacy. For these products there are precise regulations from the European Pharmacopoeia regarding the active ingredients and an upper limit for ginkgolic acid.
Preparation of ginkgo tea
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / mwewering)
To avoid harmful substances in your tea, you should use loose ginkgo leaves from the pharmacy. This way you can ensure that the concentration of ginkgolic acid is not too high.
This is how ginkgo tea is prepared:
- Pour 250 milliliters of boiling water over about two teaspoons of dried ginkgo leaves.
- Let the tea steep for between five and ten minutes. Then you remove the plant parts.
- Ginkgo leaves harmonize well with green tea or ginger.
- In order for you to benefit from the healing effects of ginkgo, it is important that you closely monitor its effect on your body and mind. In addition, ginkgo tea is not suitable for long-term consumption.
Read more on Techzle\.com:
- Green tea: Effects of the popular type of tea
- Marigold tea: effects and uses of the medicinal tea
- Cumin tea: home remedies for losing weight and falling asleep
- Greek mountain tea: effects and preparation
Revised by Philipp Multhaupt
** marked with ** or orange underlined Links to sources of supply are partly partner links: If you buy here, you are actively supporting Techzle\.com, because we then receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More info.