Ginkgo Biloba is an herb also known as Ginkgo Biloba biloba, Abricot Argenté Japonais, Adiantifolia, Arbre aux Écus, Arbre du Ciel, Arbre Fossile, Bai Guo Ye, Baiguo, Extrait de Ginkgo Biloba, Fossil Tree, Graine de Ginkgo Biloba, Herba Ginkgo Biloba Biloba, Japanese Silver Apricot, Kew Tree, Maidenhair Tree, Noyer du Japon, Pei Go Su Ye, Salisburia Adiantifolia, Yen Xing, Yinhsing, and other names.
Ginkgo biloba is a popular supplement and one of the top-selling herbal medicines. Ginkgo biloba extract is collected from the dried green leaves of the plant and is available as liquid extracts, capsules, and tablets. People use it for a variety of reasons.
Ginkgo is associated with is improving memory, alertness, and the ability to focus. It is also thought to help patients suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. This could be because of ginkgo’s positive effects on blood flow to the brain. Studies have shown that ginkgo can help increase blood flow to various parts of your body. This can have a positive effect on heart and brain health and lower stroke risk.
Ginkgo Biloba has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in improving mental function or treating anxiety, dementia, leg pain caused by blood circulation problems, premenstrual symptoms, vision problems caused by glaucoma or diabetes, vertigo (dizziness), or a movement disorder (tardive dyskinesia) caused by taking certain antipsychotic drugs.
Ginkgo Biloba has also been used to treat seasonal affective disorder, age-related memory loss, asthma, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, cocaine addiction, or sexual problems caused by taking antidepressants.
Medicinal use of Health benefits of Gingko biloba
The therapeutic properties of the ginkgo plant are said to include treatment for blood disorders and memory problems, enhancement of cardiovascular function and to improve eye health.
Gingko contains high levels of flavonoids and terpenoids, antioxidants that provide protection against oxidative cell damage from harmful free radicals. In this way, antioxidants are believed to help reduce the risk of cancer.
Also known as the maidenhair tree, ginkgo is one of the oldest species of tree in the world. The trees can grow more than 130 feet tall and can live for over 1,000 years. Some trees in China are said to be over 2,500 years old.
The tree is considered to be a “living fossil,” meaning that it has continued to survive even after major extinction events.
The extract can be taken as a supplement, and the dried leaves of the plant can be used to make tea.
In the 2007 "Clinical Interventions in Aging" research review, mono-amine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors were cited as reducing turnover of the neurotransmitters dopamine and nor-epinephrine, thereby reducing, delaying or preventing the pituitary's age-related decline in High Grown Hormone production. Walker lists gingko biloba as one herbal therapy high in these MAO inhibitors. Doctors advise caution in taking any MAO inhibitor if already taking prescribed MAOI anti-depressant medications.
Gingko biloba is a top-selling supplement containing an extract that comes from a tree.
It may help with cognitive function.
Traditional uses include soothing a bladder infection and increasing sexual energy.
People who use some types of antidepressants should not use this supplement.
Ginkgo biloba may offer a range of health benefits, including improving cognitive function. Traditional uses are wide-ranging, but not all of them have been confirmed by research.
There is some evidence indicating that ginkgo can help people with dementia, although more studies are required to confirm this.
The benefits may include:
improved thinking and memory
better social behavior
better ability to perform everyday tasks
One study found that an extract of ginkgo biloba, known as EGb 761, was clinically effective in treating Alzheimer’s dementia.
Other research, published in JAMA, similarly that EGb 761 was safe to use and possibly effective in stabilizing and possibly improving cognitive and the social functioning patients with dementia for between 6 and 12 months.
Researchers believe that ginkgo improves cognitive function because it promotes good blood circulation in the brain and protects the brain and other parts from neuronal damage.
Ginkgo may help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety.
A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, found that people with generalized anxiety disorder who took ginkgo relief than those who took a placebo.
However, people who take Xanax for anxiety should not use ginkgo, because ginkgo may reduce the drug’s effectiveness.
If you want to educate more about Anxiety, or just talk about your feeling and search for professional help, please contact Addiction Rehab Treatment/Anxiety.
One small study observed improvements in the vision of people with glaucoma who took 120 milligrams a day of gingko over a period of 8 weeks. Some studies have also suggested that gingko may help people with macular degeneration to keep their sight for longer.
Ginkgo is available in capsule form, as tablets, liquid extracts, and dried leaf for teas.
In studies, adults have used between 120 and 240 milligrams a day in divided doses. It appears to take 4 to 6 weeks before improvements are noticed.
People who should not take gingko biloba include:
children
pregnant or breastfeeding women
those with epilepsy
people taking blood thinners
Patients with diabetes should not use gingko without first checking with a physician.
Possible side effects of ginkgo biloba include:
Ginkgo and other supplements should only be used following discussion with a physician.
This product has not been approved by the FDA. Ginkgo Biloba should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.
Ginkgo Biloba is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Ginkgo Biloba is considered possibly unsafe to take during pregnancy. This product could cause premature labor, or cause you to bleed heavily during child birth. Do not use this product if you are pregnant.
Ginkgo may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Other source: Ginkgo Biloba: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions (verywellmind.com)
Ginkgo biloba is an antioxidant-rich herb used to enhance brain health and treat a variety of conditions. Although dietary supplements typically contain extracts of the plant's leaves, ginkgo biloba seeds are commonly used for healing purposes in traditional Chinese medicine.
Ginkgo contains numerous flavonoids, compounds which proponents suggest can protect against aging-related issues such as dementia by improving blood flow to the brain, among other benefits.
Ginkgo biloba is said to aid in the treatment or prevention of the following health problems:
Age-related macular degeneration
Alzheimer's disease
Asthma
Bronchitis
Erectile dysfunction
Fatigue
Glaucoma
High blood pressure
Insulin resistance
Multiple sclerosis
Peripheral artery disease
Sexual dysfunction in women
Tinnitus
In addition, ginkgo biloba is said to preserve memory, as well as promote recovery from stroke.
Scientific studies support some, but not all ginkgo benefits. Here's a look at the science behind the potential health benefits of ginkgo biloba:
So far, studies testing ginkgo biloba's effects against aging-related declines in brain health have yielded mixed results. A review of studies using the standardized Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 found the supplement to be more effective than placebo in most cases of Alzheimer's disease, and vascular or mixed dementia.
The review was unable to identify a consistent benefit for using Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions.
Ginkgo biloba shows promise in the treatment of glaucoma and other eye diseases. Ginkgo biloba contains natural properties that act as antioxidants and improve blood flow. This effect has been shown to reduce retinal degeneration. There's also evidence of Ginkgo biloba producing color vision improvements for patients with diabetic retinopathy.
It's too soon to tell whether ginkgo biloba can help treat high blood pressure, according to a research review published in Phytomedicine in 2014. Although six of the nine reviewed clinical trials found that gingko biloba may help reduce blood pressure, the herb did not appear to have significant effects on blood pressure in the other three trials.
Since most of the reviewed studies were considerably flawed, the review's authors state that more rigorous research is needed before ginkgo biloba can be recommended for blood pressure control.
Ginkgo biloba may trigger the following side effects: allergic skin reactions, diarrhea, digestive problems, dizziness, headaches, muscle weakness, and nausea.
Since ginkgo biloba may affect blood clotting, it shouldn't be used by people with bleeding disorders or those who are taking medication or supplements that affect blood clotting, such as warfarin, aspirin, garlic, vitamin E and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Some cases of bleeding have occurred in individuals who were not on another blood thinner. Individuals with epilepsy or diabetes should also avoid use of ginkgo biloba, unless the herb is taken under the supervision of a medical professional. Pregnant women shouldn't take ginkgo.
Ginkgo contains a compound called ginkgotoxin. Although ginkgotoxin is found in the largest amounts in ginkgo nuts, it's also present in small quantities in the leaves. Structurally similar to vitamin B6, it has been found to block vitamin B6 activity.
According to one case report, a woman developed generalized tonic-clonic seizure after eating large amounts of ginkgo nuts and had lowered blood vitamin B6 levels. After treatment, which included vitamin B6 medication, her symptoms resolved and no seizures recurred.
There is no established standard dose for gingko biloba. Different formulations and doses have been used in research studies investigating the herb's effect on various conditions. The right dose for you may depend on several factors, including your age, gender, medical history, and formulation used.
As always, speak with your healthcare provider to get personalized advice regarding the right dose for you.