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Ginkgo Biloba

What Is It?

The compounds most responsible for ginkgo's effectiveness are the flavone glycosides, sugars derived from the chemical of the natural colour of the leaf (flavo- is a prefix indicating yellow; ginkgo leaves turn yellow-gold in the Fall), including kaemp-ferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and also proanthocyanidins. These compounds contribute to ginkgo biloba's powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. Much recent research focuses on a set of alcohol-soluble terpenes, the most important of which are known as ginkgolides and bilobalides. These compounds, unique to ginkgo, showpositive benefits in improving circulation, decreasing blood viscosity, and decreasing tissue damage during inflammation.

How It Works

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 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.

Indications

• Dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, inner ear disturbances including partial deafness
• Impairment of memory and ability to concentrate
• Diminished intellectual capacity and alertness as a result of insufficient circulation
• Anxiety, depression, neurological disorders, complications of stroke and skull injuries
• Diminished eye sight and hearing ability due to vascular insufficiency
• Intermittent claudication as a result of arterial obstruction
• A sensitivity to cold and pallor in the toes due to peripheral circulatory insufficiency
• Raynaud's disease; cerebral vascular and nutritional insufficiency
• Hormonal and neural based disorders as well as angiopathic trophic disorders arterial circulatory disturbances due to aging, diabetes and nicotine abuse
• Sclerosis of cerebral arteries with and without mental manifestations
• Arteriosclerotic angiopathy of lower limbs
• Diabetic tissue damage with danger of gangrene; chronic arterial obliteration
• Circulatory disorders of the skin, as well as ulcerations caused by ischaemia.

Potential Problems

Gingko is safe when used in recommended dosages. Very high doses can cause nausea, vomiting, sleeplessness, muscle tension, and fluid retention. Some recent case studies imply that daily use of ginkgo biloba extracts may cause side effects, such as excessive bleeding, especially when combined with daily use of aspirin. Anyone one with disorders in blood circulation, blood-clotting or high blood pressure should check with a doctor before taking gingko. Also avoid taking gingko in extremely hot weather. Individuals with heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes or migraine should not take gingko.