Ginkgo Biloba—Good for the Brain,
and More!
by Terry Willard
By now most people know that ginkgo is good for memory. Yes,
there have been many studies showing that the use of ginkgo (especially
the concentrated extracts) can improve memory recall. But ginkgo
(Ginkgo biloba) as an herb has many more functions. With a better
understanding of how ginkgo works, we call more clearly see the
impact it can have on the whole body.
"The brain is one of the hungriest organs of our body.
For proper function, it needs to be continuously bathed in oxygen
and nutrient-rich blood."
Bioflavonoids have long been considered great antioxidants
and specific for protecting the microcirculation in small blood
vessels. The bioflavonoids in ginkgo are no exception. They have
a strong capability to protect and repair problems in the microcirculation
of the capillaries. What makes ginkgo special is that its bioflavonoids
have a stronger biological activity than most other bioflavonoids,
and seen to have a specific affinity for the capillary beds of
the brain.
Brain Function Effects
The brain is one of the hungriest organs of our body. For
proper function, it needs to be continuously bathed in oxygen
and nutrient-rich blood. Little malfunctions in the circulation
of the capillaries can cause memory problems in the brain. By
repairing these malfunctions in brain circulation, ginkgo can
increase brain function, including memory. Ginkgo also has the
capacity to increase the oxygen content of the blood. It has
been shown that memory is enhanced by oxygen-rich blood.
When it comes to brain function, ginkgo goes even further.
All neural functions in the brain are achieved by neural transmission.
Ginkgo both increases the amount of neural transmission and increases
the number of receptor sites for neural transmission. Again,
this dramatically improves brain functions.
Other Uses
Even though ginkgo is one of the most important herbs for
the brain, it is important to understand that its components
don't go directly to the brain. The ginkgosides work as herbal
antioxidants throughout the body, and enhance the microcirculation
of capillary beds throughout the body. This is why Ginkgo is
beneficial to all organs that have rich blood supplies, including
the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and spleen, to mention only
a few.
Ginkgo has also been shown to be beneficial for headaches,
vertigo (dizziness), hearing loss, allergies, and many more common
ailments.
