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The
Ginkgo biloba tree may have been in existence for approximately 300
million years. Extracts from its leaves have been used in traditional
Chinese medicine for several thousand years, and it is currently
dispensed as a remedy by European physicians who write in excess of 1.2
million prescriptions for ginkgo per month. Generally, ginkgo is used to
"improve cerebral circulation, mental alertness and overall brain
functioning."
It
is therefore easy to discern why many articles point to ginkgo biloba as
a natural dietary supplement that the elderly can use to their
advantage.
The
authors write that ginkgo leaves are effective for those who have
symptoms stemming form reduced blood flow to the brain and extremities.
In addition, it has been of assistance to elderly people who have
problems with memory and cognitive function such as slow thinking and
reasoning, as well as more physical complaints such as tinnitus,
headaches and age-related macular degeneration, or loss of sight.
Since
1975, more than 34 human studies on ginkgo were published. these studies
demonstrated that the leaf "works by increasing blood flow
throughout the body and the brain. Ginkgo increases the production of
adenosine triphosphate (ATP, the universal energy molecule). It also
improves the brain's ability to metabolize glucose, prevents the
platelet aggregation inside arterial walls by keeping them flexible,
improves the transmission of nerve signals and acts as a powerful
antioxidant."
In
The A to Z Guide to Healing Herbal Remedies by Jason Elias, M.A., L.A.c.,
and Shelagh Ryan Masline, the authors state, :Ginkgo has a unique
ability to inhibit a process called platelet activity factor (PAF). PAD
plays a major role in many of your body's processes, such as blood flow
and blood clots. By blocking PAF, ginkgo exhibits tremendous healing
possibilities.
"As
ginkgo improves blood flow to all parts of the body," they
continue, "There may be decreased risk of the type of stroke that
occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked; heart attack prevention
(by reducing the blood clots that cause them); and stimulation of memory
and reaction time (again by increasing blood flow to the brain)."
Ronald
G. Reicher, N.D., in his article "Herbs for a Bright Future",
points out that "What makes ginkgo so effective is its active
ingredients: a group of naturally occurring chemicals galled ginkgo
flavone glycosides. These active components...increase circulation in
both larger blood vessels (arteries) and smaller blood vessels
(capillaries) making it ideal not only for dementia but also for other
circulatory problems including poor blood flow to the legs."
Another
consumer health publication notes "Ginkgo biloba produces leaves
that are a rich source of bioflavonoids (kaempferol and quercetin),
terpenes (ginkgolides) and other constituents which are proving
invaluable in the treatment of circulatory problems, hearing loss,
certain eye disorders and other conditions." <<
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