////

Ginkgo Biloba Brain-Boosting Pizza

Name: Ginkgo Biloba Brain-Boosting Pizza
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 piece pizza base (store-bought or homemade); 2 cups fresh ginkgo biloba leaves (or 2 tablespoons ginkgo powder); 0.5 cup pine nuts; 0.5 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 0.25 cup nutritional yeast (instead of parmesan); 1 teaspoon salt; 5 cups rocket leaves (arugula); 0.5 cup black olives; 0.5 cup capers; 12 pieces spiced grilled tomatoes; 2 cups zucchini (thinly sliced); 2 cups broccoli flowerets; 2 tablespoons dried oregano; 2 cups water; 1 cup gram flour; 0.5 cup tapioca starch (or rice starch); 1 tablespoon kala namak (black salt); 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast; 1 cup coconut milk; 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)

By Dada Shivananda·Intermediate

Let's start with fascinating facts about ginkgo leaves. These leaves come from the ginkgo biloba tree, among the oldest species of trees in the world. This ancient tree is believed to have existed even during the dinosaur age! Ginkgo trees have survived for millennia because they are remarkably adaptive and resistant to disease. The ginkgo leaves have a distinctive fan shape that resembles the two halves of our brain—perhaps this is why they offer such remarkable brain nutrition.

Ginkgo originates from China and has existed for thousands of years, earning the nickname "fossil tree." These leaves are an antioxidant powerhouse enriched with terpenoids and flavonoids that excel at fighting free radicals and inflammation—often precursors to cancer, irritable bowel disease, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and stroke.

Ginkgo leaves possess scientifically proven brain-boosting benefits, preventing and reducing symptoms of dementia and other neurological disorders. They improve blood circulation to the brain, which helps heal and prevent headaches, improves eyesight, and boosts cognitive function and memory.

While ginkgo leaves appear in many commercial energy and soft drinks, their benefits are often outweighed by high artificial sugar and caffeine content. This Ginkgo Biloba Brain-Boosting Pizza offers a healthy, delicious way to receive these cognitive benefits through pure ginkgo pesto made with all-natural ingredients. You can also enjoy ginkgo's benefits by steeping the leaves in hot water to make tea.