GINKGO BILOBA REVIEW
History
Originally cultivated in China, and then Europe, Gingko Biloba is also known as Fossil Tree or Maidenhair tree. It has literally been in use in China for tens of thousands of years before the rest of the world discovered its amazing properties.
It’s the oldest living tree species, with one tree able to live up to one thousand years, and achieve a height of up to 120 feet! It’s short branches boast fan-shaped leaves and produce foul-smelling and inedible fruits. Each fruit contains an inner poisonous seed.
Ginkgos are tough, hardy trees and are sometimes planted along urban streets in the United States. The leaves turn brilliant colors in the autumn.
Ginkgo Biloba is registered for use in several medical conditions under the THR (Traditional Herbal Registration) scheme. This does not mean the product has been tested by the regulator, but rather that the product is confirmed as being in use as a traditional medicine for more than 30 years, and its manufacture meets approved standards.
How does it work?
The herb contains various properties that have the ability to stimulate circulation and open up blood vessels.
Chinese herbal medicine has used both the ginkgo leaf and seed for thousands of years. However – modern research has focused on the standardised Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) made from the dried green leaves. This is a highly-concentrated extract that seems to have the ability to treat health problems better than the standardised version (especially in cases of circulatory problems).
What is It Useful For?
The active ingredient within Gingko Biloba serves to enhance oxygen utilisation and thus improve memory, concentration, and other mental faculties. It may also be useful in cases of depression.
Relief from symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome (cold hands and feet, pain, numbness and tingling in the extremities)
Relief of tinnitus (ringing in the ears), headaches, sinusitis and vertigo.
Treatment of impotency. Impotency is due to poor circulation and blood flow to the penis. In studies, up to 50% of patients found increased performance after taking Ginkgo Biloba for six months.
Intermittent claudication: (or reduced blood flow to legs):
An extremely painful condition, this limits ability to walk without pain. In such cases, Ginkgo Biloba has been shown to be work just as well as prescription medication, allowing participants to increase their exercise tolerance and distance.
Other Conditions: Ginkgo Biloba is also recommended for treatment of diabetes-related nerve damage and poor circulation, allergies, vertigo, short-term memory loss, atherosclerosis, cochlear deafness, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and PMS.
Effectiveness
Laboratory studies have shown that ginkgo biloba improves blood circulation by opening up blood vessels and making blood less sticky. It is also an antioxidant. For these reasons, any ailments that involve circulation or nerve problems, are likely to be helped.
Health Risks
Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts are considered safe to use but may have side effects when taking other medications. There is also a slight risk of bleeding, as Ginkgo Biloba slows down platelet binding in the body. Always check with your health-care professional before using herbs or herbal supplements.