What Is Ginkgo Biloba? A Plain Guide To The Ancient Tree

A tree that looks like no other

Ginkgo biloba is a tree, and a remarkable one. Its leaves are fan-shaped, with a notch in the middle that gives the species its name: biloba means two-lobed. In autumn the whole canopy turns a vivid, buttery gold, and the leaves often drop within a day or two, leaving a bright carpet beneath the branches.

The tree is also known as the maidenhair tree, because its leaves resemble the fronds of the maidenhair fern. It can grow tall and live for centuries, and some trees in temple gardens in Asia are said to be more than a thousand years old.

An ancient lineage

Botanists often call ginkgo a living fossil. Fossil leaves that look very much like modern ginkgo leaves have been found in rocks that are hundreds of millions of years old, and the ginkgo is the only surviving member of its plant group. In other words, when you look at a ginkgo, you are looking at a very old design.

The tree is native to China, where it has been grown for centuries in gardens, temple grounds and along roads. Over time it was planted in Japan, Korea, Europe and North America too. Today it is a common feature of city streets because it tolerates city streets well and is resistant to many pests.

Ginkgo trees come in two forms, male and female, which is unusual among trees. Many cities plant male trees because female trees drop fleshy seeds with a strong smell in autumn. The distinction is mostly a matter for landscapers, but it explains why the same tree can look so different from one street to another.

Because the leaves are so distinctive, they are also popular for pressing and crafts. A few golden leaves tucked into a book make a lovely autumn keepsake, and children enjoy hunting for the fan shapes on a walk.

Where a leaf extract comes from

For supplements, the part of the tree that is typically used is the leaf. Leaves are harvested from cultivated plantations, dried and then processed with a liquid, such as an alcohol-and-water mixture, to draw out their components. The liquid is removed to leave a concentrated powder.

That powder is commonly described as a leaf extract, and manufacturers often call it standardized, meaning they aim for a consistent make-up from one batch to another. Standardization is a manufacturing term about uniformity.

The tree has a seed as well, which is the plant part sometimes used in cooking in parts of Asia. A supplement label that refers to leaf extract is talking about a different part of the tree.

How the name appears on a label

On a Supplement Facts panel you will usually find Ginkgo Biloba, often followed by the plant part and form in brackets, such as leaf extract. Some labels write the botanical name with a lowercase second word, as Ginkgo biloba, which follows the convention scientists use for species names. Spellings such as gingko appear too, though ginkgo is the standard form.

A few details to look for when you read a botanical line:

• The common name, Ginkgo Biloba
• The plant part, which is typically leaf
• The preparation, which is usually extract
• Any standardization phrase that the manufacturer chose to print
• The serving size that the listed amount refers to

Ginkgo in RetinaClear

RetinaClear names Ginkgo Biloba as one of its eight label ingredients, along with Bilberry Extract, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Astaxanthin, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Zinc. Looking at that list, you will notice that two of the eight are plant extracts: bilberry from a berry and ginkgo from a tree.

According to the brand, RetinaClear is made in the USA in a GMP-certified, FDA-registered facility. The Supplement Facts panel printed on the bottle shows the full details of the formula and its serving size.

The product is a capsule supplement, with 60 capsules per bottle. The suggested use is one capsule twice daily with a full glass of water, preferably on an empty stomach, or as the label directs.

Plant names can look intimidating, but the Latin is usually friendly once you decode it. The genus name, Ginkgo, comes from a Japanese reading of Chinese characters for silver apricot, a reference to the seed. The species name, biloba, simply describes the two-lobed leaf. Many botanical names work this way, describing something you can actually look at.

When you read a supplement label with that decoded, the botanical line reads less like jargon and more like a short description: the plant, the part and the preparation.

Enjoying the tree itself

If this topic sparks your curiosity, a ginkgo tree is a lovely thing to look for on your next walk. Many parks, campuses and tree-lined streets have one, and autumn is the most striking time of year to spot it. Look for the fan-shaped leaves and the glowing gold color.

Walking is one of the simplest everyday habits, and a little plant spotting makes a short loop more interesting. Bring a water bottle, keep an easy pace and enjoy the season.

Back at home, a consistent routine with your capsules is simple to keep up. Orders of RetinaClear ship in 24 to 48 hours, with delivery typically in 3 to 10 business days. There are 1, 3 and 6 bottle packs, the 3 and 6 bottle packs ship free, the purchase is one-time with no subscription, and a 60-day money-back guarantee applies.