Ginkgo

According to historical evidence, the Ginkgo tree is considered one of the oldest species on Earth, dating back millions of years. Experts believed Ginkgo had become extinct before the Christian era, until it was rediscovered in 1600 AD.

Origin and Spread: From China to Japan and Beyond

The Ginkgo tree has a long history originating from the southeastern part of China. After its rediscovery, a group of monks in China spent many years protecting and propagating Ginkgo. Eventually, the Ginkgo tree was introduced to Japan and several other Asian countries. In Japan, Ginkgo is known as Ginnan, while in China, it's called Bai Guo (pronounced similarly to Paek Kuai, the name used in Thailand, which is a phonetic adaptation from Chinese).

Legend and Resilience: The Tree of Fire Protection

In Japanese legends, the Ginkgo tree is also revered as the Tree of Fire Protection and the Tree of Life-Saving. There's a story that a Ginkgo tree protected many temples and people surrounded by fire. As the fire was about to consume a temple, a Ginkgo tree began to spray water to extinguish the flames and save the people. These legends led to the Ginkgo tree being worshipped as a deity, and Japanese people commonly plant Ginkgo trees near temples. Beyond legends, the Ginkgo tree was also the first plant to grow in the area destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945 in Hiroshima and continues to thrive today. However, the oldest Ginkgo tree, believed to be over 3,500 years old, can be found at Di Lin Temple on Fu Lai Mountain in Shandong Province, China.

The Ginkgo tree is considered one of the longest-living trees in the world. American and Chinese scientists discovered the property that allows Ginkgo trees to live for thousands of years: Ginkgo trees can produce chemicals that resist diseases and drought conditions, as their genes do not cause the trees to age. This is another reason why Ginkgo trees live so long, unlike other plants.

Ginkgo in Traditional Medicine and Culinary Uses

In traditional Chinese medicine, Ginkgo has been used for centuries to treat various ailments, such as asthma, coughs, and bladder problems. It is also believed that Ginkgo leaves help improve memory and brain function, leading to extensive development and research today.

Extensive studies and research have found that Ginkgo possesses numerous beneficial properties for the body. It has antioxidant effects, prevents cancer, helps slow down aging, inhibits platelet aggregation improving blood circulation, enhancing blood flow to the brain and skin, contributes to improved memory (making it suitable for Alzheimer's patients), enhances sexual performance, and helps improve vision.

In addition to its medicinal properties, Ginkgo is also commonly used in various cuisines. However, Ginkgo is generally not consumed raw due to a chemical called Gingotoxin, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and other digestive issues. Therefore, it must be cooked before consumption. It can be used in a variety of dishes such as soups, stews, stir-fries, grilled, fried, or even in delicious desserts, as Ginkgo has a slightly sweet taste.

In Japan, several popular dishes feature Ginkgo, including Ginnan Kinton (mashed sweet potato mixed with Ginkgo and sugar), Ginnan no Takikomi Gohan (Ginkgo rice), Chawanmushi (Japanese steamed egg custard with Ginkgo), and Dobin Mushi (traditional Japanese soup). In China, it is commonly boiled and served with porridge. In Thailand, popular dishes include Ginkgo baked rice, Ginkgo in fresh milk, Ginkgo in ginger syrup, and stir-fried Ginkgo with chili and salt.