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Ginkgo Biloba
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Ginkgo biloba is among the world’s oldest living species of tree. Individual trees live as long as 1,000 years the species has been around for over 200 million years. Ginkgo grows most predominantly in the southern and eastern United States, southern France, China, and Korea. The leaves of the tree are used in modern herbal medicine.
Not withstanding the grand history of the Ginkgo tree it’s only during the last few decades that its true value has been recognized. The active constituents in Ginkgo extract are believed to reinforce the walls of the capillaries, improve circulation, discourage clot formation, and protect nerve cells from harm when deprived of oxygen. These constituents also appear to have a potent antioxidant effect, sparing brain tissue from the damage caused by free radicals. Because the active constituents are limited to minute quantities in natural Ginkgo leaves, only concentrated Ginkgo extract is really effective.
The medical indications of Ginkgo biloba extract are attributed primarily to two groups of active constituents: ginkgo flavone glycosides and the terpene lactones. Ginkgo flavone glycosides, which usually make up approximately 24% of standardized extracts, are primarily responsible for Ginkgo’s antioxidant activity and may mildly inhibit the stickiness of blood platets whereby preventing such circulatory diseases as atherosclerosis. Ginko’s flavone glycosides are also believed to support the brain and central nervous system. Additionally, the antioxidant action exhibited by its active constituents may also extend to the brain and retina of the eye.
Most studies suggest supplementing with 120 and 240 mg of ginkgo biloba extract (standardized to contain 6% terpene lactones and 24% flavone glycosides) per day, generally divided into two or three portions.
Drieu K. Preparation and definition of Ginkgo biloba extract. In: Rokan (Ginkgo biloba): Recent Results in Pharmacology and Clinic. Fünfgeld EW, ed. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 32–6.
Lebuisson DA, Leroy L, Rigal G. Treatment of senile macular degeneration with Ginkgo biloba extract. A preliminary double-blind, drug versus placebo study. Presse Med 1986;15:1556–8.
Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al, eds. The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 136–8.
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