Herb of the month: Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo) seeds and leaves have been used as a traditional herbal remedy for thousands of years. Its leaf extract has been consumed as a botanical dietary supplement for decades. Ginkgo biloba extract is a complex mixture with numerous components, including flavonol glycosides and terpene lactones, and is one of the most widely sold botanical dietary supplements worldwide.
Historical uses:
Ginkgo is also known as the maidenhair tree, a tree species native to China. It is the last living species in the order Gingoales, which first appeared over 290 million years ago.
Fun Fact:
Legend has it that the Chinese monks saved the ginkgo tree from extinction by growing it in monastery gardens (McCaleb et al., 2000).
Part Used:
- Dry leaves
Major Chemicals:
- Diterpenes also known as ginkgolides, sesquiterpene bilobalide, quercetin
Therapeutic Benefits:
- Potent Antioxidant that helps reduce free radical damage in the body.
- Supports memory recall
- Supports blood circulation and flow to peripheral areas of the body
- Maintains mental concentration and cognitive function
- Helps enhance/improve/promote/increase attention span
- Enhance/improve/promote/increase cognitive performance
- Enhance/improve/promote/increase short term memory
- Decrease/reduce/relieve mild dizziness/vertigo
- Maintain/support brain function
Clinical Uses:
Ginkgo Biloba’s primary use and application especially in the West, has been its use in degenerative cognitive diseases. Although more research and clinical trials need to be done to support this claim. Some studies have demonstrated that Ginkgo can help prevent the development of dementia and Alzheimers. A study conducted by Amieva demonstrated that supplementation of the herb showed an increased probability of survival in the elderly by preventing the development of the final stages of dementia (Amieva, 2013). This particular study also confirmed that Ginkgo biloba improves cognitive functioning in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In another study, Ginkgo biloba was found to contribute to a significant improvement in the daily lives of patients with dementia (Brondino et al. 2013).
Ginkgo has also been used to support peripheral vascular diseases, such as intermittent claudication and cerebral insufficiency. Ginkgo biloba is licensed in Germany for treating cerebral dysfunction with difficulties in memory, dizziness, tinnitus, headaches, emotional instability with anxiety, and intermittent claudication. Its antistress effect makes ginkgo Biloba useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It helps to improve memory and may be useful in reducing symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (F. A. Davis, 2002).
Contraindications:
- Caution in patients taking antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (particularly in the elderly), antipsychotics such as haloperidol, and anticonvulsants.
- Caution is advised in patients taking metformin at doses greater than 1g / day
- Discontinue use 7 days prior to general anesthesia
- If patient symptoms persist, seek additional professional advice.
Product Recommendations:
- Ginkgo 10,000mg One-A-Day: helps maintain memory, mental recall and cognitive function
- Brain and Memory Boost: supports mental wellbeing and concentration, improves information processing and helps relive symptoms of mild anxiety
- Ginkgo Biloba 750mg: provides a gentle dose of ginkgo to support circulation to the peripheral areas of the body.
References:
Amieva, H., Meillon, C., Helmer, C., Barberger-Gateau, P., Francois Dartigues, J., (2013), Ginkgo Biloba Extract and Long-Term Cognitive Decline: A 20-Year Follow-Up Population-Based Study. PLOS ONE 8 (1), pp. 1-8
Brondino, N. et al., (2013), A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Ginkgo biloba in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: From Ancient Tradition to Modern-Day Medicine. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2013
Mei, N., Guo, X., Ren, Z., Kobayashi, D., Wada, K., & Guo, L. Review of Ginkgo biloba-induced toxicity, from experimental studies to human case reports, 35(1), 1 - 28. DOI: 10.1080/10590501.2016.1278298
Incorporating Herbal Medicine Into Clinical Practice - A. Bascom (F. A. Davis, 2002) BBS.pdf - https://doc-0o-90-apps-viewer.googleusercontent.com/viewer/secure/pdf/1i0nqstpbs5uprfr11vhjklc98lvk80u/8f94q412qltte47l3hut60pb0r1hlum9/1652760525000/drive/01236289737378087433/ACFrOgCZ_rcGUIp3AsgaVPaG-0Au4zE_EbdE-0Z6tvVMdbWcR7fbE2-w2j_yV95lbvjwC-W-ZdNy-L73Y1gzLO3Eclsypyop0OUvI3jdzJjLD97LlD4j-G8_iEqz53iFRY38q7cA5pnZL-7q8t6Z?print=true&nonce=7rqm47pcfl7u4&user=01236289737378087433&hash=2pvq3l4vvgssvdv54agh1pegv3dbo76s
