Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract

Ginkgo Biloba ~ Ελληνική Έκδοση

Food for thought for sharp mind and sharp memory

Ginkgo biloba or otherwise Fossil tree or Kew tree or Maidenhair tree comes from the oldest tree in the world, the Ginkgo tree which still exists today for over 250 million years. Ginkgo tree is one of the gymnosperms (such as pine, cypress, cedar, fir) that have existed since the time of the dinosaurs. It is native to several regions of China, Korea and Japan, and its trunk can reach a 165 ft or 50 m height and 10 ft or 3 m diameter.

Ginkgo tree's fruit has a silver color and derives its name by the Chinese word ginkyo, which means silver apricot (gin means silver and kyo means apricot). Ginkgo tree is a beautiful deciduous tree, with leaves that change color in autumn from green to golden. It is found in many public places and highways around the world. In Greece, at the city of Larissa, the whole area is dotted with Ginkgo trees.

How Ginkgo biloba works

Ginkgo tree's leaves are large, corrugated, wide and divided into two lobes and that's why is called biloba - bilobed. Containing more than 40 active ingredients, with two main groups of active substances, flavonoids and terpenoids.

Flavonoids are plant-derived antioxidants that protect blood vessels, nerves, muscles, heart and retina from damage. Terpenoids (Bilobalide) improve blood flow, dilating blood vessels and reducing the sticky platelets. From the extract which is taken from the leaves of Ginkgo tree manufactured various nutritional supplements.

Properties of Ginkgo biloba

Properties of the extract of the leaves of Ginkgo tree are very beneficial for various functions of the human body. Main Ginkgo properties are related to impairment in blood flow and are:

• Increased blood flow in cardiovascular system, consistently providing more oxygen to muscles and result in preservation of the elasticity of blood vessels and lowering cholesterol.
• Increased blood flow in brain, consistently providing more oxygen to neurons and resulting in improved concentration and memory.
• Increased blood flow in limbs, thus avoiding symptoms like cold hands and feet, pain, fatigue and inability to walk long distances.

Antioxidant Activity of Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo has antioxidant properties that neutralize free radicals, thus protecting effectively cell membranes and preventing related to age disorders that affect cognition. It also works therapeutically in degeneration -related to oxidation- of the macular of the retina, which causes a reduction or even loss of vision, as also in diabetic retinopathy.

Other Properties

Ginkgo is helpful for people with allergies to dust and pollen and those who suffer from asthma. Ginkgo improves body's response to allergy because it controls the stimulation of platelet-activating factor (PAF), which if it's overstimulated causes various allergic and inflammatory reactions. The overstimulation of the PAF also causes poor blood circulation in the central nervous system, resulting in destruction of nerve cells.

Ginkgo Biloba Uses

The use of the extract of the leaves of Ginkgo tree was first introduced in China's medicine in 2800 BC. It has been widely used by people who are at an advanced stage of age, but in general also by younger, especially those who have to carry out any kind of mental work.

Ginkgo is used for cases of circulatory problems and other related disorders such as:

• Impaired circulatory system and reduced blood supply to the limbs,
  • peripheral vascular disorder,
  • cardiac arrhythmia,
  • Raynaud's syndrome - cold fingers and toes -,
  • numbness or tingling,
  • inflammation,
  • nervous exhaustion.

• Disorders in mental and brain function
  • poor memory due to aging,
  • senile dementia,
  • emotional disorders,
  • anxiety,
  • reduced alertness,
  • vertigo,
  • migraine
  • headache,
  • dizziness,
  • decreased hearing
  • tinnitus (ringing ears),
  • balance problems
  • retinopathy
  • glaucoma,
  • Alzheimer's disease

Especially for Alzheimer's disease, using Ginkgo may delay the consequences. In Germany, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract is an approved drug for Alzheimer's disease.

Dosage

Generally, 80 - 100 mg daily in equal 2 or 3 doses, standardized to contain 32% flavonoids and 6% terpenoids are enough. In cases such as senile dementia or Alzheimer's disease, we may increase the amount up to 150 - 200 mg daily in 2 or 3 doses.

The first results appear after 5 to 8 weeks of daily use with a tendency then to grow quantitatively and qualitatively. Using Ginkgo, like all natural herbs used for therapeutic purposes, requires continuous, daily use and some time to show results.

Side Effects and Interactions

Significant side effects from using Ginkgo biloba have not been reported even from people who took in one dose large amounts of the extract . There have been reported some mild gastrointestinal disturbances or mild headaches.

However, the combined use of Ginkgo biloba with antidepressants, antiplatelets, anticoagulants, including aspirin, can cause internal bleeding. Therefore it is essential to consult our physician before we start taking Ginkgo or any other natural herb. In children, pregnant and lactating women, the use of Ginkgo is not recommended.

Where to buy Ginkgo

You can shop online the Forever Ginkgo Plus which is a unique blend of four Chinese plants. Ginkgo Biloba leaf extract, its chief ingredient, is combined with the powerful Chinese herbs of Ganoderma from Reishi mushrooms, Schisandra berries and cured Fo-ti.

Joy and Health,
Strato - AloeveraChangeslives

Return back to Best Nutritional Supplement for Natural Health from
Ginkgo Biloba

Aloe Vera Benefits Home page | Site Map | About Us | Contact Us

Top

Facebook Comments

Add a comment in the box below to tell your Facebook friends
how good --or not good(!)-- is AloeveraChangeslives.com
Well, have your say about what you just read!

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License