Ginkgo
Biloba Properties
Ginkgo Biloba is acclaimed to be one of the oldest living tree species.
Fossils of Ginkgo Biloba state it to be older than even
5000 years. A single ginkgo
biloba tree can live as long as 1,000 years and grow
up to a height of 120 feet.
The branches are short and the leaves are fan shaped. The fruit has strong
odor and it contains an inner seed, and there has been a
report of a human poisoning from ingesting the seed.
Although Chinese herbal medicine has used both the ginkgo leaf and seed
for centuries, modern research has focused on the standardized
Ginkgo Biloba extract, which is prepared from the dried
green leaves.
Out of 40 components that are being identified
in Ginkgo Biloba tree, only 2 are only two are believed
to be responsible for the herb's
beneficial effects in humans and these are flavonoids
and terpenoids.
Flavonoids have persuasive antioxidant
effects. Studies have shown that flavonoids protect the
nerves, heart muscle, blood vessels, and retina from damage.
Terpenoids improve blood flow by dilating blood vessels
and reducing the stickiness of platelets.
Antioxidants such as Flavonoids help
in eradication of free radicals that are found in our bodies
and are potential hazards to our health and the functions
of normal systems.
Environmental toxins including ultraviolet
light, radiation, cigarette smoking, and air pollution tend
to increase the number of these hazardous free radicals
which can cause aging, cell death, heart diseases, cancer
and Alzheimer's disease along with other possible forms
of dementia.
Many studies are being done to make sure
in which diseases Ginkgo Biloba is helpful and can be used.
Apart from successful results of weight
loss, hair loss, dementia, weight loss, circulatory
problems; there are recent studies going on to prove Ginkgo
Biloba’s worth in acidosis, acute cerebral infarction, aging,
alcoholism, allergies, Alzheimer's disease, angina, anti-bacterial,
anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-rheumatic, anxiety, asthma,
atherosclerosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,
autoimmune disorders, blood vessel disorders, blood clots,
breast disease, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, cancer, cardiac
rhythm abnormalities, cataracts, chronic rhinitis, congestive
heart failure, coronary heart disease and cough.
Others include dermatitis, diabetes,
neuropathy, retinopathy, indigestion, dysentery, eczema,
fatigue, freckle-removing, genitourinary disorders, hearing
loss, heart disease, heart attack, headache, hepatitis B,
high cholesterol, high blood pressure, hypoxia, insomnia,
labor induction, menstrual pain, migraine, mood disturbances,
Tinnitus,
oral cavity cancer, respiratory tract illnesses, scabies,
schizophrenia, seizures, sepsis, skin sores, swelling, traumatic
brain injury, ulcerative colitis, varicose veins and thrombosis.
With so many benefits
on the list, there are even some of the side effects and
you may need to be aware on the danger
of ginkgo biloba.
Ginkgo Biloba can cause some gastrointestinal
discomfort and headaches. If you are taking anti-depressant
drugs which are monoamine-oxidase inhibitors in nature than
there is a possibility of a negative drug interaction.
It may also increase risk of bleeding, and should
not be used if having a clotting disorder. Similarly not
to be used during pregnancy and lactation. Other side effects
include, headaches, restlessness, diarrhea, nausea, and
vomiting and in some cases minor skin itching and rashes.
It is always the best option to consult your doctor before
starting any of medication or herbal remedies.
For more information you may want to refer to Ginkgo
Biloba FAQs
