Ginkgo biloba has been used as a medicinal herb throughout the world for thousands of years. According to MayoClinic.com, ginkgo is one of the top selling herbs in the United States. Researchers in the U.S. and abroad constantly conduct new studies to research the effects and potential benefits of ginkgo biloba.
Description
Ginkgo biloba comes from the oldest living tree species, which can live up to 1,000 years, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The large leaves of the ginkgo tree are dried, then processed to obtain a concentrated extract used for tinctures, capsules and tablets. The two main components of ginkgo biloba responsible for the herb's medicinal effects are flavonoids and terpenoids. Flavonoids are antioxidants that help protect the nerves, blood vessels, heart and retina from damage from free radicals. Terpenoids dilate the blood vessels and reduce the stickiness of platelets in the blood to help encourage unobstructed blood flow.
Dosage
Ginkgo biloba is often taken as a supplement in capsule or tablet form, though liquid extracts and tinctures are sometimes used as well. Generally, people take 120 to 240 mg of ginkgo biloba per day, which is often split into more than one dose. It often takes four to six weeks of daily dosing to begin seeing results, but the results should continue to grow after that, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Possible Benefits
Ginkgo biloba can help improve blood flow to the brain and may protect the nerve cells that are damaged by Alzheimer's disease. The herb is thought to help fight dementia and enhance memory. The terpenoids in ginkgo responsible for improving blood flow can help relieve pain in people with intermittent claudication, which is caused by reduced blood flow in the legs. Macular degeneration patients may be able to preserve their vision when they take ginkgo regularly. Ginkgo biloba is also used to ease the symptoms of asthma, tinnitus and multiple sclerosis.
Efficacy
While some studies have reported results that showed ginkgo biloba to be effective in treating Alzheimer's and dementia, much debate surrounds the herb's efficacy. The Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory study, conducted between 2000 and 2008, studied the effects of ginkgo on 3,069 adults between the ages of 72 and 96. The study found that individuals who took ginkgo regularly experienced as much cognitive decline as a placebo group.
An analysis of eight different studies on the effects of ginkgo in patients with intermittent claudication found that people who took ginkgo were able to walk an average of 34 meters farther than those who were given a placebo, suggesting ginkgo can help lessen the pain associated with walking in patients suffering from reduced blood flow in the legs.
Whether ginkgo biloba is effective in treating other conditions, such as tinnitus, is still up for debate. While some patients show improvement when taking the herb, there is no scientific evidence to support ginkgo's efficacy in treating many conditions.
Precautions
Ginkgo biloba is safe for most people to take, but side effects and drug interactions are possible. People with an allergy or sensitivity to sumac, poison ivy, poison oak or cashews are more likely to have a sensitivity to ginkgo. The most common side effects of ginkgo are upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, rash and muscle weakness. Though rare, some who take ginkgo by mouth may experience bleeding. The risk of bleeding increases in patients with bleeding disorders and those who take blood thinners. Ginkgo may affect insulin and blood sugar levels, so patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia should be particularly cautious when using the herb and take it only under a doctor's supervision. Ginkgo biloba may make anticonvulsant medications less effective. Check with your doctor before taking ginkgo biloba or any other herb.
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