What is Ginkgo Biloba?

Ginkgo biloba is a well known herbal medicine that is particularly popular for the effect that it has on the brain. Whilst its leaves are widely used in the manufacture of conventional medicines, the plant's seed extracts also provide numerous benefits, especially for the skin. But what exactly is it and what are all the benefits that it has to offer?  Read on to learn more.

What is Ginkgo Biloba?

Ginkgo biloba, or the maidenhair tree, is native to China, Japan and Korea. The ginkgo tree is one of the world's oldest trees, which researchers believe first took root more than 200 million years ago. The majestic biloba tree is not only a sight to behold but also of great value in the world of medicine. Ginkgo biloba leaves are shaped like a fan and have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine since the 14th century to treat asthma, cough, bladder inflammation, abnormal discharge, chronic tinnitus and alcohol abuse. It was introduced to Europe around 1730 and is now widely used as a medicinal plant all around the world.

Although ginkgo biloba leaves and seeds are almost always associated with the sick thanks to their beneficial effects, even healthy people are fans of herbal supplements that contain the major constituents in ginkgo biloba leaves, including terpene lactones ginkgolides and bilobalide that have anti-asthmatic agents and reduce the risk of dementia in elderly persons as well. As long as healthy subjects take the recommended dose of ginkgo biloba for not more than six months, previous studies have found that it can improve their cognitive performance without posing any adverse effects. 

There are more than 40 components that make up the ginkgo biloba leaves, but the two components that are beneficial to people are flavonoids and terpenoids. These components of ginkgo together protect the nerves, heart muscle, retina, and blood vessels from damage, and blood flow is markedly improved. The leaves also have cholinesterase inhibitors that prevent the breaking down of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the body that is responsible for memory and learning. 

Dietary supplements with ginkgo biloba extracts may come in the form of capsules, dried leaves, tablets or liquid extracts.

What are the Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba?

The time-tested effects of ginkgo biloba on people's health turned into a key component in herbal medicine, dietary supplements and natural health products. Taking the appropriate dose of ginkgo biloba, as prescribed by a qualified health practitioner who has undergone extensive training in herbal medicine, will offer the following benefits:

• Daily doses of 120 to 240 mg of ginkgo biloba extract can improve blood flow, prevent memory loss, and improve learning capacity within eight to twelve weeks.
• It has powerful antioxidants to combat free radicals contributing to heart disease, cancer and symptoms of dementia. Taking 240mg of the standardized extract is recommended in the treatment of dementia.
• The ginkgo biloba extract contains compounds that actually absorb toxic chemicals, which in turn prevents cell damage and slows down the ageing process as well as age-associated memory impairment.
• A clinical study shows that it also enhances blood circulation in the eyes, ears, heart and appendages, which reduces symptoms such as numbness, coldness and cramping.
• It can be used in treating certain eye disorders such as macular degeneration.
• It can help patients with tinnitus or other ear disorders, as well as those with peripheral arterial disease.
• It can treat antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction.
• It improves blood flow, which in turn increases oxygen supply to the brain.
• Taking 80mg of the leaf extracts orally two times a day relieves symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and reduces some of the side effects of menopause.
• Clinical trials of its efficacy on diabetic subjects showed that it's an effective treatment for diabetic peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud's syndrome, haemorrhoids and varicose veins.
• Taking the ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 for 4 consecutive weeks, according to Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals, a plant-based pharmaceutical company, can reduce anxiety while increasing energy levels.
• Used as an adjunct treatment, ginkgo biloba leaves can improve levels of blood lipids in patients with dyslipidemia.
• Taking 120 to 240 mg of ginkgo extract every day for six weeks can help improve blood circulation in people suffering from intermittent claudication due to restricted blood flow to the heart muscle. This condition may potentially lead to myocardial infarction if it's not addressed immediately. 
• Taking ginkgo biloba leaves by mouth also helps treat vertigo and balance problems.

Ginkgo biloba is most well known for its effect on cognitive function, especially in the treatment of people with dementia. It is a recognised brain tonic and can be responsible for enhancing memory, improving both short and long-term memory loss, increasing reaction times and improving mental clarity. Because of these benefits of ginkgo biloba, it is now being used to treat people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other cerebral insufficiency symptoms.

Besides the efficacy of the herb in treating cognitive impairment, a new study from 2019 on the medicinal use of the plant as a topical antimicrobial (Chassagne et al.) revealed that the biloba extract and seeds can help address a wide range of skin disorders, including rosacea, mastitis, nodules on the face and scalp, genital ulcers, crab louse-induced itchiness, wound abscess and pustules.

Previous studies found that taking pills made from extracts of ginkgo biloba leaves had reaped many benefits in patients with cardiovascular disease. The same can be said about those with high blood sugar, which only goes to show that medical considering a treatment with ginkgo biloba leaves, or at least using them as an adjunct to medical treatment, will help expedite the recovery of people diagnosed with coronary heart disease, peripheral artery disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

How Safe is it to Take Ginkgo Biloba?

Ginkgo biloba is generally very safe to use so long as you do it with proper guidance from a certified herbal practitioner. Even though taking the ginkgo leaf extract orally has many positive effects, touching the core of the fruit may produce allergic skin reactions as it contains allergens. Just like conventional medicines, undergoing treatment with ginkgo biloba entails the proper dosage and administration to avoid any adverse event. Apart from treating and preventing cognitive impairment, when used in accordance with the health practitioner's prescription, a ginkgo biloba special extract has numerous beneficial effects to schizophrenia, ADHD and autism.

Healthcare providers should review the medical history of elderly people who wish to incorporate ginkgo biloba into their medical treatment plan to avoid any adverse event. Although it's very useful in slowing down blood clotting as it contains blood thinning properties, ginkgo extract must be taken by people with blood disorders with caution as it can cause an adverse interaction with other medications for such problems. There have been some reports of increased bleeding due to combining medicines with ginkgo extract with blood-thinning medications. For this reason, people using anticoagulant medication (blood thinners) should avoid taking ginkgo biloba.

Also, mild gastrointestinal complaints can occur and there have been some reports of incidence of hypertension, headaches, allergic reactions and inflamed veins. People who are allergic to poison ivy may also be allergic to G. biloba and are advised to avoid the herb altogether.

The standard dosage for ginkgo biloba is 120 to 240mg of dry extract in liquid, tablet or capsule form, two to three times a day. Taking ginkgo biloba for less than six to eight weeks has no effect but you generally should not take it for more than three months at a time.

Whether you want to use it in the treatment of tinnitus, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's disease or what have you, ginkgo biloba is within your reach. It would do you good, however, to consult a qualified herbalist or TCM practitioner in your area through the Natural Therapy Pages before taking the herb to ensure you get optimal results and zero side effects.