Ginkgo Biloba- Help Alzheimer's and circulation

Name:
Common Name: Ginkgo
Botanical Name: Ginkgo biloba L.
Pharmaceutic Name: Semen Ginkgo; folium Ginkgo

Parts Used: Seed, leaf

Ginkgo originally grew in China. In 1700s it was brought to Europe as decorative tree. During fall collect their fruit when they are matured. After peel off the meat of the fruit the seeds are the part to use. Instead, commercial ginkgo extracts were made from the leaves. In Europe, Asia, and even the United States, trees are specifically grown for producing extract.

The seed contains starch, fat, protein, Gibberellin, cytokinin-like substances. The exoderm contains ginkgolic acid, hydroginkgolinic acid, bilobol, ginnol. The leaves contain flavonoids and terpenoids. Ginkgo extracts sold in Europe are standardized to contain 22-27 percent flavonoids and 5-7percent terpenoids.

Ginkgo leaf extract is used to treat arterial occlusive disease, circulatory disorders, depression, free radical deactivation, retinal lesions and edema, tinnitus, vertigo, and to improve memory and mental concentration. Ginkgo seed is used to treat asthma, chronic cough, leukorrhea and frequency of urination.

Products contain this herb      PeniSOS      Viagrowth IV

1) Ginkgo leaves contain flavonoids and the terpenoids which combine with free radicals and can be classified as antioxidants. Since it is believed that the free radicals are unstable molecules playing a role in aging, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Europeans use ginkgo extract to treat "cerebral insufficiency." Although results of studies have been mixed, many still suggested to use for memory problems, tinnitus, and depression.

A published study in the 1977 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shown a study group of Alzheimer's disease taking ginkgo showed modest, but very definite signs of improvement. The study was done by giving standardized extract to hundreds of patients who were suffered from dementia for six months to a year, while a control group received placebo.

2) The other trails claim the ginkgo can improve Reynaud's syndrome, intermittent claudication and erectile dysfunction. The evidence for all these claims is much less substantial than for the improvements seen in the patients with dementia.

3) The other laboratory studies suggest that ginkgo extract may be useful in preventing contact dermatitis; help HIV patients protect from recurrent pneumocystis carinii infection; heal chronic venous ulcers; and may prevent some of the cellular changes associated with aging.

4) The seed demonstrated anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-mycobacterial effects.

Ginkgo extract can cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, and occasionally allergic reactions. In 1991, a German drug company surveyed nearly 11,000 people with dementia who had used their ginkgo extract. Side effects were reported in fewer than 2%, and all of those effects were minor and transient. European ginkgo extracts are standardized --containing 22-27 percent flavonoids and 5-7 percent terpenoids. That is not always the case with ginkgo supplements made in United States. Users should read the label for the appropriated concentration. Gingko seed also is mildly toxic. The symptoms may occur after 1-12 hours after taking. The menifestations are various from abdominal pain, diarrhea to central nervous system excitation or depression. Now, one can see a super-strength formulations of ginkgo are not necessarily a good thing.

One of the terpenoid compounds found in ginkgo extracts interferes the blood clotting mechanism. Brain hemorrhage in ginkgo users, one individual was taken coumadin and another was taking aspirin (both are blood thinner) were reported. This adverse effect probably would not be a consequence to normal person, but anyone taking blood thinners (coumadin, heparin, etc.). Ingested large amount of gingko seeds can induce convulsions and coma as intoxicate effects.

: In more than 30 different European clinical trials the total dose of EGB 761 has ranged from 120-240 mg per day in divided doses. 6-9 gm daily for gingko seeds.

Ginkgo is a herb can be use medically with its leaf or seed. The extracts from leaves could produce mild improvements in patients with memory impairment problems such as Alzheimer's disease. It had certain value in treating circulatory disorders, such as erectile dysfunction. Since it contains substances which interfere the clotting mechanism, thus it is not advice to take together with blood thinners. The Gingko seed can treat chronic cough and asthma.

Ginkgo seed is mentioned in Chinese medical texts dating back more than 3,000 years. It has been used as herb for treating lung trouble and as astringent for treating leukorrhea and frequency of urination. Now, an extract of ginkgo biloba, known as Egb 761, is very widely used in Europe to treat "cerebral insufficiency." An annual sales over half a billion dollars a year make it as the best selling herbal medication in Europe.