Ginkgo
Biloba - Ginkgo Biloba Information and Side Effects
Ginkgo Biloba - What is it?
Ginkgo Biloba comes from the Ginkgo tree, and
is one of the oldest living tree species. The Ginkgo tree has
been around fro 150 to 200 million years. The Chinese have used
Ginkgo for thousands of years for various ailments. Ginkgo Biloba
was first introduced to Europe in the 1700's, and is now used
all over the world. Ginkgo Biloba is one of the most researched
herbs.
The Chinese have used Ginkgo Biloba to relief
asthma, lung congestion, and have also used Ginkgo Biloba to increase
sexual energy, regulate blood flow, and promote general longevity.
Ginkgo Biloba - How does it work?
Ginkgo Biloba works by increasing blood flow
to the brain, and through the entire body's network of blood vessels,
which supplies oxygen and nutrients. Good blood circulation is
essential for good health - better blood circulation promotes
general longevity, and helps to keep you healthy.
Ginkgo has 2 groups of active components - flavonoids
and terpene lactones including Ginkgolides A, B, and C, bilobalide,
quercetin, and kaempferol. The Ginkgolides help control allergic
inflammation and asthma. Ginkgo Biloba also acts as a powerful
antioxidant, and helps kill the free radicals, which contributes
to aging.
Ginkgo is well recognized for its positive effect
on brain functioning - enhancing memory, mental alertness, and
reducing mental fatigue and lack of energy. As Ginkgo works as
a brain enhancer, it has obvious benefits for individuals who
suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Even for a healthy person, Ginkgo
Biloba can help improve brain function by preventing and treating
conditions of cerebral vascular deficiencies, where there's decreased
flow of blood to the brain.
Ginkgo Biloba Benefits
Over the past 30 years, more than 300 studies
have show Ginkgo Biloba to provide a host of benefits for the
body. Not only does Ginkgo Biloba help improve mental functioning
as mentioned above, it also has a long list of other benefits:
Ginkgo works by increasing blood flow to
the brain and throughout the body's network of blood vessels
that supply blood and oxygen to the organ systems.
It increases metabolism efficiency, regulates
neurotransmitters, and boosts oxygen levels in the brain which
uses 20% of the body's oxygen.
Ginkgo may also help control the transformation
of cholesterol to plaque associated with the hardening of arteries,
and can relax constricted blood vessels.
Benefits of enhanced circulation in the brain
include improved short and long term memory, increased reaction
time and improved mental clarity
Ginkgo has been shown to be a supportive
herb for treating infertility in males or impotence
Ginkgo Biloba also helps prevent damage to
your organs from free radicals, and also blocks the platelet
activating factor which causes some skin disorders such as psoriasis
Ginkgo Biloba's beneficial effects on the
circulatory system also helps in the treatment of eye and ear
disorders
These listed above are just some of the major
benefits of Gingko Biloba.
Ginkgo Biloba Side Effects
Despite the many benefits Ginkgo Biloba has,
it also has some side effects you should be aware of. Especially
for individuals with blood circulation disorders and those taking
anti-coagulants such as aspirin - best thing to do is to consult
with your doctor before using any.
Below are some Ginkgo Biloba side effects
and cautions:
Ginkgo biloba can cause some gastrointestinal
discomfort and headaches
Should not be used if your taking anti-depressant
drugs known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) - there could
be a negative drug interaction
Ginkgo may increase risk of bleeding, and
should not be used if you have a clotting disorder
Ginkgo Biloba should not be used by pregnant
women
Other side effects include, headaches, restlessness,
diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
If you experience any side effects you should
lower your dosage of Gingko Biloba, and if the side effects persist,
then you should stop using it all together.
Generally, Ginkgo Biloba supplements should
be taking in range of 40mg to 200mg per day.
