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Ginkgo Biloba Description and Benefits
Many
scientists believe that ginkgo biloba is one of oldest living
species of tree. These amazing trees can live up to 1,000 years.
Ginkgo grows most predominantly in the southern and eastern United
States, southern France, China, and Korea. The leaves of the tree
are used for their medicinal effects.
Although the Ginkgo
tree has been around for many millions of years, it is only during
the few decades that its true value has been recognized. Among it
medicinal uses ginkgo biloba is most promising as a circulatory aid,
helping to increase blood flow to the brain that may be useful in
helping with memory loss, vertigo, tinnitus, disorientation,
headaches, and depression, especially in the elderly and aging
people not responding to antidepressant drugs. Increasing amounts of
evidence show that gingko may in deed help to relieve cerebral
insufficiency, which is defined as a decrease in blood supply to the
brain.
Many individuals suffering from other circulation
related conditions such as leg cramps have also reported to have
experienced favorable results from using ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo
offers antioxidant effects as well, which may protect both the
central nervous system and the cardiovascular system from the
negative effects of aging, specifically age-related mental
deterioration. Some study results offer additional evidence that the
antioxidants in ginkgo may also help to inhibit high blood pressure.
However, no studies have provided conclusive results.
More
recent studies have provided promising evidence that ginko may
provide beneficial effects in connection with the following
conditions:
- Age-related cognitive decline (ARCD)
- Alzheimer’s disease (early-stage)
- Glaucoma (normal tension glaucoma)
- Intermittent claudication
Researchers attribute the
medical effects of Ginkgo biloba extract primarily to two categories
of active constituents: flavone glycosides and terpene lactones.
Ginkgo flavone glycosides are primarily responsible for ginkgos
antioxidant effects while the terpene lactones, also known as
ginkgolides and bilobalide, are believed to be responsible for
ginko's ability to increase blood circulation to the brain and other
parts of the body.
Ginkgo's antioxidant effects may also
inhibit platelet stickyness which can decrease the risk of
circulatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis.
Ginkgo may
also enhance cognitive performance in healthy older adults and in
people suffering from age-related cognitive
decline.
Dosage and
Administration
Because there are no known scientific
reports about the use of ginkgo in children, we cannot offer any
dosage recommendation for this age group.
General dosage
recommendations for adults are 120 mg daily in two or three divided
doses of 50:1 extract standardized to 25% flavone glycosides. For
adults initial results often take four to six weeks, but should
continue to accumulate beyond that period. You may not see any
dramatic changes for six months.
Supporting
Literature
Adams LL, Gatchel RJ and Gentry C.
Complementary and alternative medicine: applications and
implications for cognitive functioning in elderly populations.
Altern Ther Health Med. 2001;7(2):52-61.
Christen Y. Oxidative
stress and Alzheimer's disease. Am J Clinical Nutrition.
2000;71:621S-629S.
Drieu K. Preparation and definition of Ginkgo
biloba extract. In: Rokan: Recent Results in Pharmacology and
Clinic. Fünfgeld EW, ed. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 32–36.
Mashour
NH, Lin GI, Frishman WH. Herbal medicine for the treatment of
cardiovascular disease. Arch Intern Med.
1998;158(9):2225–2234.
Mix JA, Crews WD. An examination of the
efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract on the neuropsychologic
functioning of cognitively intact older adults. J Altern Complement
Med 2000;6:219–229.
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