10 Amazing Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba (Salisburia Adiantifolia)
Ginkgo biloba, also known as Salisburia Adiantifolia or maidenhair, is a Chinese tree that has been cultivated for thousands of years for a variety of purposes.
It is sometimes referred to as a living fossil because it is the only surviving member of an ancient order of plants. While the leaves and seeds are frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine, modern research focuses primarily on ginkgo extract made from the leaves.
The scientific names for the standardized extract of the green ginkgo Biloba plant, which is well known for its cerebral-improving properties, are EGb761 and GBE. It is even a prescription herb in Germany and a few other European countries due to widespread belief that it is extremely effective. It has a long history of use as a dementia cure, ADHD treatment, and other things.
Ginkgo supplements are associated with various health claims and applications, the majority of which center on brain function and blood circulation.
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10 Amazing Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba (Salisburia Adiantifolia)
Below are 10 benefits of Ginkgo Biloba you need to know
1. Improves Eye Health
Ginkgo appears to be beneficial to eye health, but more research is needed. Cochrane investigated the effects of this herb on lowering the risk of age-related macular degeneration due to its platelet-activating components and protection against free radical damage to membranes.
2. Improves and Protects Cognitive Health
Ginkgo has been shown to improve brain function and protect against cognitive decline, particularly in those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or vascular issues caused by cerebral infarction (loss of blood flow to vessels in the brain).
According to a report in the International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology, this herb is “now the most explored and adopted herbal cure for cognitive problems and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).”
It can also help with cerebral insufficiency, characterized by persistently poor focus, disorientation, decreased physical performance, exhaustion, headaches, and mood swings.
It can also help with cerebral insufficiency, characterized by persistently poor focus, disorientation, decreased physical performance, exhaustion, headaches, and mood swings.
Many of the brain-boosting effects that researchers have discovered are due to the fact that ginkgo Biloba is an excellent anti-inflammatory that increases antioxidant activity, lowers oxidative stress, and improves circulation.
Another theory holds that because it can help increase the intake of glucose (broken-down sugar) by brain cells, it may improve nerve impulses that control memory, mood, task completion, heartbeat regulation, and eye health.
3. Enhances brain function and overall well-being
Ginkgo may improve brain function in healthy people, according to some research.
A small number of studies suggest that supplementing with ginkgo may improve mental performance and perceived well-being.
The findings of studies like these have given rise to claims that ginkgo improves memory, focus, and attention span.
A large review of the research on this relationship, however, concluded that taking ginkgo did not result in any measurable improvements in memory, executive function, or attention capacity.
While taking ginkgo may improve mental capacity, there are no guarantees.
4. Increases Libido
Despite mixed preliminary findings, it appears that ginkgo Biloba has some effect on libido because it improves blood flow and relaxes smooth muscle.
It’s worth noting that the most significant discovery to date relates to the possibility of treating sexual dysfunction caused by psychotropic medications used to treat depression, specifically SSRIs. In the first open clinical trial, Ginkgo biloba improved sexual function (particularly in women) for those unable to perform due to SSRI side effects.
Unfortunately, additional research has not yielded the same results. Although researchers are skeptical that they will be able to replicate the initial study’s findings, the work appears promising.
5. Reduces Anxiety
According to some studies, taking ginkgo may help with anxiety symptoms.
A number of animal studies have found reductions in anxiety symptoms, which may be attributed to ginkgo’s antioxidant content.
One study included 170 people with generalized anxiety who were given either 240 mg or 480 mg of ginkgo or a placebo. When compared to the placebo group, the group given the highest dose of ginkgo reported a 45% reduction in anxiety symptoms.
While taking ginkgo may help with anxiety, the available research is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions.
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6. Treats Depression
A review of animal studies suggests that taking ginkgo may help treat depression symptoms.
Mice who were given ginkgo before an unavoidable stressful situation were less emotionally affected than mice who did not receive the supplement.
This effect was linked to ginkgo’s anti-inflammatory properties, which improve the body’s ability to cope when stress hormone levels are high, according to the study.
Nonetheless, depression is a complex condition with multiple root causes. More research is needed to better understand the connection between ginkgo and depression in humans.
7. Treats Headaches and Migraines
Ginkgo is a popular treatment for headaches and migraines in traditional Chinese medicine.
There is very little research on ginkgo’s ability to treat headaches. However, depending on the underlying cause of the headache, it may be beneficial.
Ginkgo, for example, is well known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ginkgo may be beneficial if a headache or migraine is caused by stress.
Furthermore, if a headache is caused by decreased blood flow or constricted blood vessels, ginkgo’s ability to dilate blood vessels may alleviate symptoms.
On the contrary, some migraines are caused by excessive blood vessel dilation. Ginkgo may have little to no effect in this situation. However, these examples are only inferences and do not replace hard evidence.
If you want to try ginkgo for your migraines, it is unlikely to be harmful. Just be aware that it may not always be beneficial.
8. Improve Asthma and COPD Symptoms
According to some studies, ginkgo may help with the symptoms of asthma and other inflammatory respiratory diseases such as COPD.
This is due to the anti-inflammatory compounds in ginkgo, which may allow for reduced airway inflammation and increased lung capacity.
One 75-person study looked at the use of ginkgo extract in conjunction with glucocorticosteroid medication therapy for asthma symptoms.
Those who received ginkgo had significantly lower levels of inflammatory compounds in their saliva than those who received traditional medication alone.
Another study of 100 people looked at the use of a combination of Chinese herbs, including ginkgo, for treating COPD symptoms.
When compared to the control group, those who used the herbal formula reported a significant reduction in cough and bronchitis after a three-month follow-up.
At this time, it is unclear whether the improvement can be attributed to ginkgo alone or to the synergistic effect of the other herbs in the treatment group formula. While these findings are promising, more research on this particular application of ginkgo is required.
9. Reduces PMS Symptoms
According to preliminary research, ginkgo may help treat both the physical and psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
One study of 85 college students found that consuming ginkgo reduced PMS symptoms by 23%. Interestingly, the placebo group in this study experienced a slight reduction in PMS symptoms as well, albeit at a much lower rate of 8.8%.
More research is needed to better understand the relationship between ginkgo and PMS symptoms.
10. Reduces Symptoms of Psychiatric Disorders and Dementia
Ginkgo has been studied extensively for its ability to reduce anxiety, stress, and other symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline caused by aging. Overall, research findings in this area are inconclusive.
Some studies using ginkgo show a significant reduction in the rate of cognitive decline in people with dementia, but others fail to replicate this result.
A review of 21 studies found that when combined with conventional medicine, ginkgo extract may improve functional abilities in people with mild Alzheimer’s.
Another review examined four studies and discovered a significant reduction in a range of dementia-related symptoms when ginkgo was used for 22-24 weeks.
These encouraging findings could be attributed to the role that ginkgo may play in improving blood flow to the brain, particularly in vascular dementia.
Overall, it is too early to definitively state or refute ginkgo’s role in dementia treatment, but recent research is beginning to clarify this piece. 10 Amazing Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba
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Dosage and Supplement Forms For Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is commercially available in the following forms:
- Capsules
- Tablets
- Liquid extracts
- Dried leaves/tea
The majority of current research is based on results obtained with purified ginkgo extract. Raw ginkgo seeds are poisonous, so avoid eating them.
One of the studies on ginkgo’s limitations was the lack of standardized dosing. However, the majority of the evidence appears to support the safety of taking 120-240 mg in multiple doses throughout the day.
There is no set maximum dosage, but it is best to start low and work your way up to ensure tolerance. Most studies have not looked at doses higher than 600 mg per day, so exceeding this amount is probably not a good idea. Remember that it can take up to six weeks to notice any effects.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ginkgo biloba good for infection?
Ginkgo Biloba can reduce the risk of infection through a variety of mechanisms, including quercetin and other constituents that have anti-inflammatory and immune modulator effects by lowering pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations.
10 Amazing Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba
