Ginkgo Biloba tree is a perennial tree that is native to China and Japan; it also now grows in some areas of Europe and North America. It stands about 100 foot tall; its leaves are fan-shaped with veins radiating from its stem base and produces small, round fruit that measure from 1 to 3 cm. The fruit contains an inner seed, which is reported to cause human poisoning when ingested.
The leaves of Ginkgo biloba are among the most extensively studied plant today. Unlike many other herbs, ginkgo leaves are not frequently used in their crude state, but in a concentrated, standardized ginkgo biloba extract, which is prepared from the dried green leaves. The standardized extract is highly concentrated and seems to be more effective in treating health problems than the non-standardized leaf alone. Ginkgo supplement is now one of the best selling herbal remedy in Europe and United States.
Active components of Ginkgo biloba: There are more than 40 components identified from ginkgo biloba tree but there are only two active components that are responsible for its beneficial effects. These components include;
Flavonoids such as quercetin and rutin both have powerful antioxidant effects. Studies have shown that flavonoids protect the nerves, heart muscle, blood vessels and retina from damage.
Terpenoids such as ginkgolides improve blood flow by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of platelets.
Health Benefits:
Stimulates and tones the brain. Ginkgo possessed many excellent properties among which are that of stimulating circulation, particularly in the brain. Because of the increases circulation and oxygenation of the brain cells, produced by the extract from ginkgo leaves, this plant has given excellent results for combating diseases related to the brain.
Embolism. Normally a region of the brain stops to function in the case of an embolism. Therefore, a more generous supply of oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area is necessary in order for the nerves cells to recuperate efficiently.
Increase memory and mental concentration. Students and professional take ginkgo biloba daily to increase their mental abilities, whether for work or study because of its effectiveness on increasing memory and mental power.
Senility and Alzheimer's disease. Several studies have found that ginkgo may be as effective as the leading AD medications, a number of studies conclude that the daily consumption of Ginkgo biloba extract produces a considerable increase in memory and in the activity of neurons in the brain. There are study conducted in n 40 patients between 60 and 80 years of age. Twenty of them were given a placebo. After 3 months, the researchers reported that the patients who took Ginkgo demonstrated more concentration and much higher levels of mental activity than those who did not receive Ginkgo. Other research has demonstrated that the percentage of nerve transmission in the neurons increases significantly. In addition, ginkgo is sometimes used preventively because it may delay the onset of AD in someone who is at risk for this type of dementia.
Headache (Migraine). Study was conducted in persons suffering from migraine headaches; improvement was noted in 80% of those who took ginkgo biloba. The reason for the alleviation in migraine sufferers may be due to effect on the arteries by the active ingredients of plant.
Asthma. Ginkgo can help in the treatment of bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis; this is due to the effects of ginkgolides, active ingredients of Ginkgo that helps alleviate bronchial constriction. Doctors have observed a reduction in severe asthma as well as in frequency of attacks in persons who take ginkgo as supplement.
Intermittent Claudication (pain caused by inadequate blood flow to the legs). People with intermittent claudication have difficulty walking without suffering extreme pain. In fact, ginkgo has been shown to be as effective as a leading medication in improving pain-free walking distance. However, regular walking exercises are more beneficial than ginkgo in improving walking distance.
Prevent hearing problem. Loss of Hearing does not only affect the old people, nowadays people even in their teens have hearing problems (due to excessive noise). A study done in 1979 reveals that the hearing organs are highly sensitive to a lack of oxygen. Ginkgo biloba has proven to be an excellent stimulant for circulation and therefore, oxygenation of the hearing organs, thus resulting in improved hearing for those having suffered from hearing loss. Expert suggest that by taking 160mg of extract per day for one to three months has produced 40 to 80 percent improvement in individuals who suffers from hearing problems.
Impotence. Ginkgo biloba can help impotence by improving circulation and therefore dilating the vessels, which in turn facilitates the necessary blood flow for obtaining sexual virility.
High Blood Pressure. Ginkgo causes the vessels to dilate which allows a greater quantity of blood to circulate. As a consequence, this action brings about the lowering of the blood pressure.
Menopausal symptoms. Study found that a standardized ginkgo extract may reduce the side effects of menopause such as osteoporosis. Several human studies have reported that a standardized ginkgo extract has estrogenic activity and might be suitable as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy which has many reported negative side effects.
Varicose Veins and Phlebitis. Ginkgo biloba is also beneficial in the treatment of poor circulation in the legs and hands (cold legs and hands), as well as in other parts of the body where circulation is deficient.
Other Benefits: Ginkgo supplement may also help in other ailments including, chronic fatigue, altitude sickness, vertigo, multiple sclerosis (MS), and eye problems (retinal damage).
Dosage: A regular doses is 40mg of Ginkgo biloba extract per day.
Market Form: Ginkgo biloba is available in standardized extract, capsules, tablets, liquid extracts (tincture) and tea.
Possible Interactions: Ginkgo may alter the effectiveness of some prescription and non-prescription medications. If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use ginkgo without first talking to your health care provider:
Anticonvulsant medications - high doses of ginkgo can decrease the effectiveness of anticonvulsant therapy in controlling seizures.
Antihypertensive medications - ginkgo may decrease blood pressure, therefore use of ginkgo along with prescription antihypertensive medications should be monitored by a health care provider
Blood-thinning medications - ginkgo has blood-thinning properties and therefore should not be used if you are taking anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medicine.
Blood sugar lowering medications - ginkgo was reported to increase insulin levels in healthy individuals and to decrease insulin levels in diabetic patients.
Precautions: Herbal remedy is may be the safest treatment and prevention to all ailments, but some herbs may contain components that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, and only under the supervision of a health care provider qualified in the field of botanical medicine.
Ginkgo biloba extract is considered safe, and side effects are rare. In a few cases, gastrointestinal upset, headaches, skin reactions, and dizziness were reported.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using ginkgo preparations.
Ginkgo use should be discontinued at least 36 hours prior to surgery due to the risk of bleeding complications.
Do not ingest Ginkgo biloba fruit or seed, because there has been a report of human poisoning from ingesting the seed.
Ginkgo biloba seed/Plants/Tea for available at:
The Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Ph: 09858986794, 01933-223705
e-mail:
jkmpic@gmail.com
home:
http://jkmpic.blogspot.com
More details about Ginkgo suplements: http://len7288.hubpages.com/hub/Health-Benefits-of-Ginkgo-Biloba
Although not a cycad, Ginkgos also have an ancient lineage dating back
to the Jurassic era, and make superb companion plants for cycads. In
prehistoric times it grew world-wide but today its natural range is
limited to only two small areas in China. Once thought to be extinct
they were found growing in monasteries in China where they had been
carefully preserved over the centuries. The leaves, taken as a tea,
help to improve the memory. A medium-sized tree with unique,
fan-shaped, lime green leaves that turn pure gold in fall. 
