The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that as of 2011, more than 10 million Americans were diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which is a lifelong chronic mental illness categorized by mania episodes followed by depression episodes. This condition typically develops in men and women before the age of 25, and it may take years for doctors to properly diagnose a patient with bipolar disorder. While treatment programs are often required to control and maintain this mental illness, natural herbs, such as ginkgo biloba, may be used alongside traditional medication and psychotherapy treatment options.
Ginkgo Biloba Active Compounds
Ginkgo biloba extract is derived from the ginkgo tree, and it has been utilized for medicinal purposes for centuries. The primary active compounds of within ginkgo biloba include terpenoids and flavonoids. Flavonoids are classified as antioxidants, which work to reverse damage from free radicals and prevent cellular damage from these rogue atoms. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports terpenoids enhance blood flow throughout the body by hindering platelet aggregation and dilating blood vessels.
Ginkgo and Bipolar Mania
While ginkgo biloba is primarily used to enhance mental cognition and memory, the use of this herb for bipolar mania has not been fully examined by scientists. Throughout several studies, this herb is noted as reducing depression and dementia; however, the use for bipolar mania is not clear. Jim Haggerty, M.D. reports in PsychCentral that ginkgo biloba may be able to increase the flow of blood to the brain. By doing so, the brain is able to receive a higher concentration of oxygen and other vital nutrients, which may help with bipolar mania symptoms.
Dosage Recommendations
The University of Maryland Medical Center, UMMC, suggests consuming 120 mg to 240 mg of this herb per day. The UMMC also suggests that your ginkgo biloba extract contain 32 percent flavone glycosides and up to 12 percent triterpene lactones for maximum effectiveness. As with many herbs, noticeable results may take up to six weeks, as the compounds within ginkgo must build up in the system before beneficial effects take place.
Warnings
Always discuss the use of ginkgo biloba with your physician prior to consuming it, especially if you are currently taking medications for bipolar mania or another medical condition. Some of the most common side effects include skin rash, dizziness and gastrointestinal discomfort. It is important to note that ginkgo biloba contains chemicals that, according to research outlined by Morgan Abramson in AlphaGenics, may trigger bipolar disorder symptoms within some individuals. Thus, extreme caution must be used when supplementing with ginkgo biloba, as serious adverse effects may occur.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Ginkgo Biloba; Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D.; March 2009
- National Alliance on Metal Illness; Bipolar Disorder; Ken Duckworth, M.D.; October 2006
- PsychCentral; Herbs for Bipolar Disorder; Jim Haggerty, M.D.; November 2008
- National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Chicago; Why is Bipolar Disorder Often Underdiagnosed in Children?' Anne B. Brown; 2002/2003
- AlphaGenics; NutriGenomics of Ginkgo Biloba; Morgan Abramson, et al.
Member Comments