Ginkgo

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a deciduous tree which has survived unchanged for about 150 million years. This living fossil may have been saved from extinction by the Chinese who revered the tree and planted it around their temples. Traditional Chinese medicine prescribes ginkgo leaves for their ability to 'benefit the brain', and relieve the symptoms of asthma and coughs. Ginkgo leaf extracts are now among the leading prescription medicines in both Germany and France.

CIRCULATORY / VASCULAR TONIC - Ginkgo exerts its vascular effects primarily on the lining of the blood vessels and the system that regulates blood vessel tone. It stimulates greater tone in the venous system, thus aiding the dynamic clearing of toxic metabolites that accumulate during ischemia (times of insufficient oxygen supply). Ginkgo is clearly implicated in conditions such as cerebral vascular insufficiency and impaired mental performance, giving rise to such symptoms as; short-term memory loss, vertigo, headache, tinnitus, lack of vigilance, and depression. Research also reveals that ginkgo appears to be very effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (impotence) due to poor blood flow.
MEMORY ENHANCEMENT - The memory enhancing effects of ginkgo are not limited to the elderly. In a double blind trial, the reaction time in healthy young women performing memory tests was significantly enhanced after the administration of ginkgo.
NERVE FUNCTION - the membrane stabilising and free radical-scavenging effects of GBE are perhaps the most evident in the brain and nerve cells, as these have the highest levels of unsaturated fatty acids.
ANTI-DEPRESSANT - Double blind studies have shown ginkgo to be helpful in improving general mood and behaviour. This effect is most likely to benefit the elderly (particularly those not responding to medication) or for individuals with cerebral vascular insufficiency. Ginkgo may offer significant benefit as an anti-depressant on its own, or in combination with standard drug therapy such as tricyclics and tetracyclics.
ANTI-ALLERGIC - Ginkgo is known for its effects in inhibiting platelet-activating factor (PAF), a stimulator of platelet aggregation and degranulation. PAF is also involved in many inflammatory and allergic processes such as; increasing vascular permeability, smooth muscle contraction including broncho-constriction, and reduction in coronary blood flow.
SKIN PIGMENTATION - Recently, oxidative stress has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Ginkgo biloba extract has been shown to have antioxidant and immuno-modulatory properties. A recent study demonstrated significant cessation of active progression of depigmentation in patients treated with ginkgo. Ginkgo extract seems to be a simple, safe and fairly effective therapy for arresting the progression of the disease.

Dosage

The typical dose for standardised extracts, range from 40mg-80mg one to three times daily. No restriction on duration of use. In cases of cerebrovascular insufficiency in can take at least two weeks before any benefit becomes apparent.

Potential applications

Alzheimer's Disease, cerebral vascular insufficiency, poor memory, tinnitus / balance problems, sudden deafness, diabetic retinopathy / neuropathy, peripheral arterial insufficiency, stroke recovery, Raynaud's disease, impotence / sexual dysfunction, asthma, oxidative stress, visual improvements in those with poor retinal blood supply, macular degeneration, allergies and eczema. Ginkgo has shown effectiveness in congestive symptoms of PMS i.e. oedema, breast pain and tenderness. Treatment of 240mg ginkgo extract / day has demonstrated significant improvements in Alzheimer disease patients. Anti-depressant effects have been noted using doses up to 80mg three times daily. Ginkgo extract (160mg per day) has been shown to significantly prevent acute mountain sickness for moderate altitude (5400m) and also decreased vasomotor disorders of the extremities.

Known contraindications

Not recommended during pregnancy or lactation. Side effects are rare - symptoms occasionally noted include; gastro-intestinal discomfort, headache, and dizziness.

Interactions

Ginkgo is not recommended for patients receiving anti-coagulant or anti-platelet medication. E.g. warfarin and aspirin. Studies assessing cardiovascular parameters of those receiving ginkgo extracts, revealed practically no change in heart rate, blood pressure, and blood lipids.

Use in conjunction with

Dementia - Flax / Hemp seed oil, vitamin E, multi-phytonutrient complex, rhodiola, alpha-lipoic acid/DMAE

Diet and lifestyle

Regular aerobic exercise, stress management, adequate sleep, antioxidant rich diet (selenium and vitamin E important) - organic fruits and vegetables, low saturated / hydrogenated fats, keep hydrated (1.5 litres water). Avoid heavy metals. Uncontaminated fish or preferably use Organic seed oils such as hemp / flax rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Low calorie, nutrient rich diets appear to maximise life extension. Mercury amalgam removal may prove beneficial.

Note

The Japanese are fond of eating ginkgo nuts after meals as a digestive aid. The ginkgo nuts can be mixed with rice, honey, water, and butter to produce a nutritious porridge.

References

Simon Mills & Kerry Bone. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Modern Herbal Medicine. 2000.
PDR for Herbal Medicines. Second Edition. 2000
Melvyn R. Werbach & Michael T. Murray. Botanical Influences on Illness. A source book of clinical research. 1994
Parsad D, Pandhi R, Juneja A. Effectiveness of oral Ginkgo biloba in treating limited, slowly spreading vitiligo. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2003 May;28(3):285-7.
Muir AH, Robb R, McLaren M, Daly F, Belch JJ. The use of Ginkgo biloba in Raynaud's disease: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Vasc Med. 2002;7(4):265-7.
Andrieu S, Gillette S, Amouyal K, Nourhashemi F, Reynish E, Ousset PJ, Albarede JL, Vellas B, Grandjean H; EPIDOS study. Association of Alzheimer's disease onset with ginkgo biloba and other symptomatic cognitive treatments in a population of women aged 75 years and older from the EPIDOS study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2003 Apr;58(4):372-7.
Birks J, Grimley EV, Van Dongen M. Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(4):CD003120.
Ginkgo- Elixir of Youth - Christopher Hobbs. 1991

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