|
Herbal Information Center - Ginkgo Bilboba Ginkgo Biloba (Ginkgo Biloba Leaf) The ginkgo is the oldest living tree species, geological records indicate this plant has been growing on earth for 150 - 200 million years. Chinese monks are credited with keeping the tree in existence, as a sacred herb. It was first brought to Europe in the 1700's and it is now a commonly prescribed drug in France and Germany. It is one of the most well-researched herbs in the world. In the last 30 years, more that 300 studies have given clinical evidence that ginkgo prevents and benefits many problems throughout the entire body. Ginkgo is gaining recognition as a brain tonic that enhances memory because of its positive effects on the vascular system, especially in the cerebellum. It is also used as a treatment for vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and a variety of neurological disorders and circulation problems. Ginkgo may help to counteract the effects of aging, including mental fatigue and lack of energy. Ginkgo works by increasing blood flow to the brain and throughout the body's network of blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the organ systems. It increases metabolism efficiency, regulates neurotransmitters, and boosts oxygen levels in the brain which uses 20% of the body's oxygen. Benefits of enhanced circulation in the brain include improved short and long term memory, increased reaction time and improved mental clarity. Ginkgo is often used to treat elderly persons with Alzheimer's and other symptoms of cerebral insufficiency. Cerebral insufficiency is a general term for a collection of symptoms that include difficulties of concentration and memory, absentmindedness, confusion, lack of energy, depressive mood, anxiety, dizziness, tinnitus, and headache. Ginkgo constituents are beneficial for a variety of imbalances and deterioration in the brain and body. Standardized ginkgo extract inhibits platelet activity factor (PAF), which is a common allergen in the body. Physical stress, and poor quality food can overstimulate PAF production; in other words, blood clotting. Excessive PAF can help cause cardiovascular disease, brain damage, hearing disorders and other immune and inflammatory diseases. Ginkgo has been used to relieve tension and anxiety and improve mental alertness, elevate mood and restore energy. Ginkgo has two groups of active substances, flavonoids and terpene lactones, including ginkgolides A, B, and C, bilobalide, quercetin, and kaempferol. The ginkgolides have been shown to control allergic inflammation, anaphylactic shock and asthma. Ginkgo also acts as a powerful antioxidant and contributes to the oxidation of free radicals which are believed to contribute to premature aging and dementia. Antioxidants also protect the eyes, cardiovascular system and central nervous system. Ginkgo may also help control the transformation of cholesterol to plaque associated with the hardening of arteries, and can relax constricted blood vessels. The herb has been used in treatment of other circulation- related disorders such as diabetic peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud's syndrome, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. It can also aid in the treatment of insufficient circulation and complications from stroke and skull injuries. Ginkgo's beneficial effects on the circulatory system also can be of benefit in the treatment of eye and ear disorders. Studies have confirmed that ginkgo increases blood flow to the retina, and can slow retinal deterioration resulting in an increase of visual acuity. In clinical tests ginkgo has improved hearing loss in the elderly. It also improves circulation in the extremities relieving cold hands and feet, swelling in the limbs and chronic arterial blockage. Among other things, ginkgo is being investigated as a potential treatment to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs, as a treatment for asthma and for toxic shock syndrome. Parts Used: Dried leaf. Common Use: Ginkgo has been shown to be nutritional support for mental alertness, enhanced vitality level, circulatory health and blood vessel health. Its high antioxidant activity is valuable for fighting age related conditions. All over the world, people have claimed Ginkgo to be beneficial in the fight against the gradual erosion of energy associated with aging. Care: The ginkgo tree thrives in full sun and average soil. It is very resistant to infection and pollution and can grow up to 120 feet. The small yellow fruit that falls from the female tree has a strong rancid odor. Ä ALTMED (1:340/26) ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ ALTMED Ä Msg : 55 of 60 From : Alex Vasauskas 1:17/75 28 Jul 97 08:18:22 To : All 29 Jul 97 17:31:48 Subj : Ginkgo biloba 2 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ From: spedge@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Mary Ann Mertens) Newsgroups: alt.drugs Subject: Re: Gingko Biloba Date: 29 Oct 1993 01:54:58 GMT From article <mcu5j9INNl7l@exodus.Eng.Sun.COM>, by james@cadillac.Eng.Sun.COM Jack Mahanglin, Esq.: > I've been taking Gingko as a vitamin supplement and have noticed a marked > increase in the level of intensity I am able to think. It's supposed to > be a "smart" drug, but I didn't realize the effects were so apparent. From Smart Drugs and Nutrients: GINKGO BILOBA: A Nootropic Herb? Ginkgo biloba is the oldest species of tree known, dating back 300 years. Extracts from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree have been used by Chin- ese medicine for thousands of years. European physicians write over 1.2 million prescriptions per month for it. Ginkgo biloba is used to improve cerebral circulation, mental alertness, and overall brain functioning. More than 34 human studies on ginkgo have been published since 1975, show- ing that ginkgo works by increasing blood flow throughout the body and brain. Ginkgo increases the productions of adenosine triphosphate (ATP, the universal energy molecule). It also improves the brain's ability to metabolize glucose, prevents platelet aggregation inside arterial walls by keeping them flexible, improves the transmission of nerve signals, and acts as a powerful antioxidant. Ginkgo biloba leaf is effective for people with symptoms of reduced blood flow to the brain and extremities. It has been shown to be helpful with many of the complaints of the elderly such as: memory loss, slow thinking and reasoning, depression, dizziness, ringing in the ears, headaches, and senile macular degeneration (a major cause of blindness). One study even shows significant improvement in people who have both Park- ingson's and Alzheimer's disease. In this study 25 people w/ Parkingson's disease and signs of Alzheimer's disease were given ginkgo extract daily for one year. They were tested with standard tests, clinical evaluations, and a new computerized EEG. The scores improved significantly. CITE: Funfgeld, E.W. "A natural and broad spectrum nootropic substance treatment of SDAT - the gingko biloba extract". from Progress in Clinical and Biological Research, 1989, 317 (pp 1247-1260)</cite> One study does not prove that Gingko biloba is efficacious in the treatment of these diseases. However, ginkgo is safe, inexpensive and easily obtain- ed, and people with Parkinsons and/or Alzheimer's might consider experi- menting with it. PRECAUTIONS: No negative effects have been reported in the literature even in very large quantities. DOSAGE: Most research has been done with a gingko biloba extract which contained a 24% concentration of flavinoid extract. At this strength, the usual dosage is 120-160mg per day taken in three divided doses. However, many gingko products are lower in potency, and may require dosages as high as 1000mg per day. Three to six months is probably needed to evaluate the results. Your welcome. Buy the book, (and their sequal, smart drugs II): "Smart Drugs and Nutrients" by Ward Dean & John Morgenthaler (1990) ISBN# 0-9627418-9-2 ($12.95) "Smart Drugs II" by Ward Dean / John Morgenthaler / Steven Wm. Fowkes (1993) ISBN# 0-9627418-7-6 ($14.95) SD2 covers totally different material than the first book: Deprenyl, Melatonin, Milacemide, Nimodipine, Phosphatidylserine, Pregnenolone, Ondansetron and Zatosetron. The first book has almost everything else you've ever heard of: Pyrrolidone types (Piracetam, Oxiracetam), Hydergine, Vasopressin, Fipexide, Vinopocetine, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Centrophenoxine, Choline, AL721, DHEA, DMAE, Gerovital GH-3, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Idebenone (CoQ10), Phenytoin (dilantin), Inderal, Vincamine, etc. (and yes, I know Ginkgo is spelled "gingko" a dozen times in the above transcript - sue me, I was baked) --- * Origin: 61 deg. 25' N / 149 deg. 40' W (1:17/75)