Benefits of Ginko Biloba
Author Dennis Niggl
Background
Ginkgo Biloba comes from the Ginkgo tree. The Ginko tree is one of the oldest living tree species and has been on our planet for approximately 200 million years. The Ginkgo tree can live up to a 1,000 years and typically grows to a height of 120 feet. It has short branches with fan-shaped leaves and produces fruit that have a strong odor and are not edible.
The Chinese have used Ginkgo for thousands of years for treatment of asthma and lung congestion. They also used Ginko to increase sexual energy, regulate blood flow and promote general longevity of life. Ginkgo Biloba was first introduced to Europe in the 1700's, and is now used widely all over the world. Ginkgo Biloba has been heavily researched by the scientific community and is one of the top selling herbs in the United States.
More than 40 components of the Ginkgo tree have been identified and studied. Two of the components, flavonoids and terpenoids, are believed to be beneficial in promoting health. Flavonoids are plant-based antioxidants that prevent damage to cells from chemicals called free radicals. Laboratory studies have shown that flavonoids protect the nerves, heart muscle, blood vessels, and retina from damage. Terpenoids improve blood flow by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of platelets (blood components that aid in clotting) in the blood stream.
Although not definitive, there is promising evidence favoring the use of Ginkgo for memory enhancement in healthy subjects, altitude (mountain) sickness, symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and reduction of chemotherapy-induced end-organ vascular damage.
Benefits of Ginko Biloba
1. Ginko is well recognized for its positive effect on brain functioning, enhancing memory, mental alertness and reducing mental fatigue.
2. Ginko increases blood flow to the brain. This increases the oxygen levels in the brain, which results in better concentration and improvement in memory.
3. Ginkgo leaves contain compounds that thin blood and help to improve muscle tone in the walls of blood vessels. This results in increased blood flow to the brain and throughout the body’s network of blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the organs.
4. Benefits of enhanced circulation in the brain include improved short and long term memory, increased reaction time and improved mental clarity.
5. Ginkgo Biloba beneficial effects on the circulatory system also helps in the treatment of eye and ear disorders.
6. Increases efficiency of metabolism, regulates neurotransmitters and boosts oxygen levels in the brain.
7. May help control the transformation of cholesterol to plaque associated with the hardening of arteries and can relax constricted blood vessels.
8. Has been shown to be a supportive herb for treating infertility in males or impotence.
9. Helps prevent damage to your organs from free radicals and also blocks the platelet activating factor which causes some skin disorders such as psoriasis.
Although Chinese herbal medicine has used both the Ginkgo leaf and seed for thousands of years, modern research has focused on the standardized Ginko Biloba extract, which is prepared from the dried green leaves and used to make tablets, capsules and teas. This standardized extract is highly concentrated and seems to be more effective for health purposes and treating health problems.
Ginko has not been reported to cause any severe side effects in the body except for a minor sympton of internal bleeding when Ginko Biloba is combined with blood thinners such as aspirin or Coumadin. Some people who have consumed the Ginko leaf have suffered from symtoms such as headache, nausea and intestinal complaints. Ginko has also been shown to affect the level of insulin and blood sugar level in the body. People who are taking medications should consult their doctor before taking Ginko.
