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Ginkgo biloba |
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An anti-oxidant, preventing the formation of free radicals associated with aging, as well as a vasodilator, improving cerebral blood flow, mental clarity and memory retention. |
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| The Ginkgo biloba or maidenhair tree is a living fossil that is touted as an elixir of youth. It is the last living species of the family Ginkgoaceae, having survived unchanged in China for more than 200 million years. The name ginkgo comes from the Chinese yinkuo, meaning "silver fuit" and biloba means "two lobes", in reference to the young leaves which are distinctly two-lobed. Ginkgo trees were brought to the western hemisphere in the 1700’s and have since become a popular hardy, ornamental tree throughout the world. For almost five thousand years the Chinese have revered ginkgo nuts as medicine, but only recently have the leaves been utilized. Ginkgo biloba extracts are made from freshly-picked green leaves that are picked in the fall just before the leaves turn yellow in order to get the maximum levels of constituents. Ginkgo biloba leaves contain a complex array of chemical constituents including flavonoids, terpenoids, organic acids, carotenoids, and sterols. Of particular interest are the terpenoids, mainly a unique group of diterpenes known as ginkgolides and sesquiterpenes known as bilobalides, as well as the flavonoids, mostly flavonoid glycosides including quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin. Other flavonoid groups include coumarin esters of quercetin and kaempferol, proanthocyanidins, catechins, and condensed tannins. Ginkgo is an anti-oxidant which inhibits free-radicals, major contributors to the aging process, preventing damage in tissues , such as the eyes, ears, brain, and extremities. Ginkgo promotes vasodilation and improves blood flow in both arteries and capillaries. Ginkgo increases blood flow to the brain bringing better oxygenation and glucose supply to cerebral tissues, particularly in geriatric patients. Ginkgo may improve memory and awareness by enhancing neurotransmitter binding such as acetylcholine binding to muscarinic receptors, which may allay age-related cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Ginkgo has been used for conditions such as short-term memory loss, headache, tinnitus, depression, etc. Ginkgo also inhibits PAF (Platelet Activating Factor) which activates several types of immune cells, including neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages, and endothelial cells. All of these cells secrete chemicals which cause inflammation as well as enhance the blood clotting process. If production of PAF is overstimulated (which can happen under chronic stressful conditions such as poor diet or exposure to environmental allergens) then the immune system can go haywire producing conditions like asthma and other allergic responses. Ginkgo may also protect the retina and cornea, aid macular degeneration and treat dizziness and equilibrium disorders. Ginkgo biloba should not be taken with other anticoagulant drugs and should be discontinued before surgery . |