Ginkgo Biloba And Multiple Sclerosis

Approximately 400,000 people in the United States suffer from multiple sclerosis and 55 percent of those have severe symptoms, according to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. Though no known cure exists for multiple sclerosis, practitioners of herbal medicine claim that ginkgo bilboa may relieve certain symptoms of the condition. Because of a lack of large clinical trials to test ginkgo's safety and efficacy, always consult your physician before use.

Multiple Sclerosis

Most nerves in your body are covered by myelin, a substance that speeds up nerve impulses. Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a chronic disease in which your immune system attacks the myelin sheathing that covers the nerves of your brain and spinal cord. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, symptoms include depression, fatigue, vision abnormalities, muscle spasms, coordination problems, tremors, cognitive impairment and overall weakness. While the source of myelin breakdown in the central nervous system appears to be an attack by the immune system, triggers for such attacks remain unclear.

Ginkgo Bilboa Description

Ginkgo trees, otherwise known as maidenhair trees, date back to the Paleozoic period, when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Ginkgos can live for 1,000 years and grow to heights of 100 feet. The deciduous ginkgo tree has furrowed, gray bark and bears edible, foul-smelling fruit and fan-shaped leaves used for medicinal purposes. Native to China, few, if any, ginkgo trees remain in the wild, but they are extensively cultivated in China, Japan, France and the southeastern United States. According to Steven Foster, author of the book "National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine," the Chinese traditionally used ginkgo leaves for heart and lung problems, while Western herbal medicine focuses on ginkgo leaves' ability to improve concentration, mental sharpness and blood circulation to the brain.

Benefits of Ginkgo Bilboa

Ginkgo seems to have antioxidant effects in the central nervous system that may help relieve certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis. A 2005 study conducted at Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine's Department of Neurology and the OHSU MS Center of Oregon suggests that the plant seems to improve the ability to pay attention. Ginkgo also contains active compounds that enhance circulation to your brain and central nervous system and help prevent memory loss associated with MS. However, the need exists for further scientific evidence.

Considerations

Generally considered safe, ginkgo can cause gastrointestinal upset, dizziness, headaches and allergic skin reactions on rare occasions. Isolated reports show that ginkgo can cause spontaneous internal bleeding and may inhibit platelet function. Ginkgo leaf extract may also increase the risk of seizures for people with epilepsy. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center cautions children, pregnant and nursing women, epileptics, hemophiliacs, people having surgery and individuals who take blood-thinning medications to avoid using ginkgo.