Ginkgo Seed

Product Description

Ginkgo seeds, also known as Ginkgo nuts are considered a delicacy in China and other Asian countries. They must be roasted or boiled before eating the nutlike meat inside the seeds. Ginkgo nuts are frequently used in Oriental sweet and savory dishes, including soup and porridge. Roasted ginkgo nuts are often served as an accompaniment to poultry, as a digestive aid at formal banquets and at Chinese weddings, as they are thought to bring good luck. They are sold by street vendors in Chinese cities, and are a favorite of children. The Chinese name for the seed translates as "silver almond". Ginkgo seed food products may be purchased in Oriental department stores.

Ginkgo seeds contain several unique organic compounds, including bilobol, ginkgol, ginnol, and ginkgolic acid. In eastern Asia, the ginkgo seed has been used in traditional medicine for treating a wide variety of ailments, including asthma, coughs, pulmonary tuberculosis, senility and bladder irritability. Its traditional herbal actions include antimicrobial, anti~inflammatory and vasodilatory. The Ginkgo~based supplements which are being used against Alzheimer's, are made by extracting specific beneficial components of the Ginkgo leaf, and discarding the toxic components. We do not recommend using Ginkgo leaf tea, because of the potential toxicity.