Ginkgo biloba is the oldest and longest living species of tree in the world. It has a lifespan of up to 1,000 years and is a medicinal fountainhead. Record of Ginkgo providing health benefits dates back thousands of years. In Germany, a world leader in herbal research, it’s the most commonly prescribed herbal medicine. Ginkgo or Maidenhair as it is often called, is native to the Far East, and was near extinction before cultivation for medicinal purposes assured its survival. The name biloba accounts for its two lobed leaf, which philosophically is considered to represent unity within duality. Ginkgo is likely the most widely used and studied of all herbs.
Ginkgo’s main effect is on our vascular or circulatory system. It improves blood flow, and oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the body via deep seated medium and small arteries. Increasing blood flow to the brain can help with memory loss, difficulty concentrating and dizziness if due to deficient blood flow. In healthy young and middle aged people ginkgo has been show to help with memory and speed of mental processing. Ginkgo is a therapy to consider, especially for elderly individuals, who have mild to moderate dementias such as Alzheimer’s due to cerebral vascular insufficiency, or reduction of blood supply to the brain.
Ginkgo also aides in improving circulation in our arms and legs, and should be considered for conditions of vascular insufficiency such as intermittent claudication and Raynaud's disease. Intermittent claudication will show with leg pain while walking. Raynaud’s disease is a condition of periodic chilling, pain, skin discoloration and numbness of extremities. Both are ailments of decreased blood flow. Other conditions involving circulation such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy may be improved with ginkgo. Ginkgo is a consideration to reduce and prevent varicose veins. Other therapeutic uses of ginkgo include physiologic sexual dysfunction in men, angina, and premenstrual symptoms of breast tenderness and mental/emotional jags.
Different plants have different points of impact on the circulatory system. Crataegus or hawthorne tree herbal preparations act mainly on the coronary vessels, horse chestnut on the venous system, and ginkgo on the cerebral vessels and peripheral vessels of the body (2).
Most of the research on ginkgo has been done with standardized leaf extracts from young trees containing 24% flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones. If shopping for ginkgo those percentages are what to look for on the label to assure a reputable product. While the roasted seeds of ginkgo are a delicacy in China and Japan, I’d suggest consuming only properly labeled and bottled leaf-extract products as consumption of other parts of the tree, including the seeds, can prove deadly.
As is often the case with herbal medicine studies indicate it is the synergistic effect of all the constituents in the leaf rather then one particular chemical compound that create ginkgo’s therapeutic value. Complimenting the circulatory benefits of ginkgo are a host of powerful antioxidants that reduce inflammation in the body and protect the integrity of our DNA, improve cellular energy production, enhance nerve transmissions in the brain and reduce the risk for blood clots. Dr. Paris Kidd, biologist, geneticist and author suggests that the antioxidant properties of ginkgo specifically protect and thereby reduce the degradation of cerebral nerve fibers seen with dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Standardized ginkgo leaf extracts at doses ranging from 40-80 mg three times a day are considered to be safe. Avoid crude ginkgo plant preparations due to the potentially deadly toxic compounds contained in the fruit pulp and seeds. If pregnant or taking any prescription medications speak with a physician before taking ginkgo. Discontinue ginkgo two weeks before any surgery.
Side effects from ginkgo are uncommon; however headaches may occur if a person takes too much too soon, so start around 50mg daily and work your way up after a week or two if you’re not getting the results you expect. Reports of gastrointestinal upset, dizziness, palpitations, constipation and allergic skin reactions to ginkgo do exist, although I have never seen anyone experience this.
In Health,
Jon Dunn, ND
Dr. Jon Dunn is a Naturopathic Physician. Comments and questions are welcome and can be sent to wonc2000@hotmail.com or www.drjondunn.com
