Ginkgo Biloba is a plant extract that can be effective in reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Studies have shown that Ginkgo Biloba contains several compounds that may have positive effects on cells within the brain and the body.
Scientists believe that Ginkgo Biloba can protect cell membranes, and to regulate neurotransmitter function due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ginkgo has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to treat respiratory tract diseases, such as lung infection, tuberculosis, sputum, cough and asthma.
Recent years, scientists found that ginkgo has effects in reduce serum cholesterol level and expansion of coronary artery. Ginkgo Biloba is suggested for the treatment of hypertension and coronary heart disease, angina, cerebral vasospasm, and high serum cholesterol. Ginkgo is significant in reducing the ability of blood to clot, enhancing the blood flow to the brain. It helps in blood circulation throughout the body. These properties lead to the use of Ginkgo Biloba in the treatment of elderly brain and mental health.
Recently, ginkgo is being used in Europe to treat symptoms of brain disorders, cognitive and neurological conditions. Ginkgo Biloba is suggested in elderly conditions, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), memory loss, depression, headaches and the general deterioration of mental health. In 1996, a study in Germany focused on 216 patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). At the end of the trial, the subjects were tested for mental, behavioral, and motor skills. Those who had taken ginkgo showed great increases in mental alertness and improvement in mood. In 2006, a study published in the European Journal of Neurology found that ginkgo extract was just as effective as donepezil, and both beat placebo. The 76 Alzheimer’s patients in this study had fewer adverse effects when taking ginkgo compared to donepezil.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (October 22/29, 1997), researchers observed in some participants a modest improvement in cognition, activities of daily living (such as eating and dressing), and social behavior. The study shows that ginkgo may help some individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Though these studies have shown promising results that it seems ginkgo is a cheap, safe, effective treatment alternative for Alzheimer’s disease. but further research is still needed.
Ginkgo Biloba is now available as a dietary supplement. You can find it in a local health supplement store.
Precautions:
1. Don’t use Ginkgo Biloba if you have internal bleeding because ginkgo is known to improve the blood circulation and reduce the ability of blood to clot, thus it may lead to more serious internal bleeding. Don’t take Ginkgo Biloba with other blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin and warfarin.
2. According to traditional Chinese Medicine guidelines, when eating ginkgo fruit and nuts as food, or using ginkgo as medicine, some caution should be taken, because ginkgo is somewhat poisonous. Eating too much ginkgo could cause ivy-like reaction, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, irritability, and convulsions.
3. Consult your doctor before using Ginkgo Biloba.
