Ginkgo biloba is known for multiple uses and this tree is native to China that has been grown for many years. It is also called maidenhair. Sometimes it is also considered as a living fossil as it is the only surviving member of an ancient order of plants. In Chinese medicines, the seeds and leaves of Ginkgo biloba are extensively used. The major focus of modern research is the extract of ginkgo biloba which comes from its leaves. 

There are many health claims and uses are linked with ginkgo supplements. They usually focus on blood circulation and brain health. Ginkgo biloba is a famous and top-selling herbal supplement. It is extracted from green leaves of ginkgo biloba and is available in the form of tablets, capsules, and liquid extracts¹. 

 

Beneficial effects of Ginkgo Biloba

 

Anti-inflammatory action

When a foreign body enters your body or injury happens, it causes inflammation which is the body's natural response in such cases.  When inflammation happens, the body's immune system responds and fights against foreign bodies and heals the injured area. In the absence of injury or illness, an inflammatory response may also be triggered by some chronic diseases. With the passage of time, excessive inflammation can lead to permanent damage to DNA and body tissues. 

Inflammatory markers are reduced by ginkgo extract in animal and human studies in different diseases. Ginkgo extract can minimize inflammation in different diseases including 

• Cardiovascular diseases 
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Arthritis 
• Irritable bowel syndrome 

However, these studies are based on animal studies while more human studies are needed to find out the role of ginkgo in complex diseases. 

 

Improves Circulation and Heart Health

In the past, the Chinese used ginkgo seeds for opening energy channels to different organ systems, such as the lungs, brain, liver, and kidneys. This effect of ginkgo may be due to its ability to increase blood flow to different parts of the body. A research study shows that the use of ginkgo extracts in heart patients shows a rapid increase of blood flow to different parts of the body. It also increases nitric oxide levels that lead to the dilation of blood vessels. 

The anti-inflammatory properties of ginkgo also have protective effects on brain health, heart health, and the prevention of stroke. However, more research is required to fully understand the effects of ginkgo on heart health and circulation².

 

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Oral use of ginkgo leaf extract helps to relieve breast tenderness and other PMS related symptoms when started during the 16th day of the menstrual cycle and continued until the 5th day of the following cycle. 

 

Helpful in pulmonary hypertension 

Concomitant use of drug dipyridamole and ginkgo leaf extract through intravenous route helps to control the symptoms and improve the amount of oxygen in the arteries in the lungs of pulmonary hypertensive patients.

 

Schizophrenia

The symptoms of schizophrenia can be reduced by using ginkgo extract daily for 8-16 weeks in place of conventional antipsychotic drugs. The side effects of antipsychotic medications (haloperidol) including constipation and thirst can be minimized by using ginkgo biloba.

 

Stroke

Standard IV therapy and oral use of ginkgo extract help to improve memory, thinking, and assist in fulfilling daily tasks in people recovering from a stroke. Recovery from stroke is also effectively managed by administering ginkgo leaf extract with dipyridamole by IV. However, the chances of another stroke and death cannot be reduced by ginkgo³. 

 

Anxiety disorders 

Anxiety symptoms can be reduced by ginkgo. According to the study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, the use of ginkgo in generalized anxiety disorder shows better results as compared to placebo. However, concomitant use of Xanax and ginkgo for anxiety reduces the effectiveness of the drug. 

 

Glaucoma

Use of ginkgo (120 mg per day) for 8 weeks shows improvement in the vision of people with glaucoma. Ginkgo is also beneficial for people with macular degeneration⁴. 

 

Brain Health

The brain-related health benefits of ginkgo biloba show mixed results. In some cases, standardized Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 is effective in the majority of cases of vascular or mixed dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. However, some studies fail to identify the benefit of Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions. 

 

Eye Health

The promising results of ginkgo have been seen in treating glaucoma and eye diseases. Ginkgo biloba improves blood flow and is also rich in antioxidants. Patients with diabetic neuropathy also show improvements in color vision⁵. 

 

Side effects of Ginkgo Biloba

The following are the side effects of Ginkgo Biloba. 

• Skin allergies 
• Bleeding disorders 
• Restlessness 
• Constipation 
• Contact dermatitis 
• Headache 
• Palpitations 
• Vertigo 
• Stomach upset 
• When used with aspirin spontaneous bleeding from the iris can happen⁶.

 

 

References

 

1. Ginkgo biloba. [internet]. [cited 2020 December 20]; Available from  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263105#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
2. Ginkgo biloba benefits. [internet]. [cited 2020 December 20]; Available from  https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ginkgo-biloba-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_5
3. Ginkgo. [internet]. [cited 2020 December 20]; Available from  https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-333/ginkgo
4. Ginkgo biloba benefits. [internet]. [cited 2020 December 20]; Available from  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263105#benefits
5. What should you know about Ginkgo biloba. [internet]. [cited 2020 December 20]; Available from  https://www.verywellmind.com/ginkgo-what-should-you-know-about-it-88329
6. Ginkgo biloba. [internet]. [cited 2020 December 20]; Available from  https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_ginkgo_biloba/drugs-condition.htm

 

 

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