Herbal Guide: Ginkgo Biloba Information
Ginkgo Biloba for Memory, Circulation, Libido, Anti-aging, Longevity. Reduces risk of stroke and heart attacks.
Ginkgo Biloba improves circulation in many ways, including sexual functioning in both men and women. In fact, women were found to be more responsive to Ginkgo's sexual enhancing effects than men.
A preventive dose of Ginkgo started in middle age may preserve youthful brain functioning in old age. Studies show convincing evidence that Ginkgo may benefit cognition, emotional function and activities of daily living in people who are in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease.
Ginkgo is a powerful antioxidant that dilates blood vessels and thins the blood, thus you should not take it if you are on prescription blood thinners such as Coumadin or Warfarin.
Ginkgo, a daily supplement commonly used for memory enhancement, reduces the extent of brain damage caused by stroke induced in mice. Ginkgo thus plays a role in protecting humans by limiting stroke damage.
Many drugs have been tried in an attempt to protect the brain from stroke damage, but all have been unsuccessful in humans. A new approach inspired by cancer and dementia research, is to try to limit the damage caused by destructive molecules called free radicals that follows a stroke. Antioxidants in ginkgo, compounds that counteract free radicals, make ginkgo an obvious candidate.
Researchers induced strokes in mice that had been receiving oral doses of ginkgo for one week. While a low dose appeared to offer protection against stroke -- reducing the area of the brain affected by 30 percent.
More work is needed to determine the proper dose.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to brain tissues is disrupted, killing brain cells by robbing them of oxygen and nutrients. The most likely cause is blockage of an artery in the neck or head. When a portion of the brain is damaged, termed a focal infarction, patients are often left with some disability, such as paralysis, loss of speech or memory lapses.
Ginkgo has been used medicinally for centuries in Asia and in recent years has become one of the most prescribed medicines in Germany and France. The extract is derived from the nuts and large, fan-shaped leaves of the Ginkgo biloba, typically grown as a shade tree.
Ginkgo contains a number of pharmacologically active compounds. The researchers used a ginkgo preparation from Germany, where a Ginkgo extract is regulated and manufactured to have consistent concentrations of antioxidants, blood-thinning compounds and other compounds.
[b:e7f9559e49]In addition to reducing stroke injury, ginkgo may also be useful in improving memory following a stroke. [/b:e7f9559e49]
There is evidence that Ginkgo can help with PVD (peripheral vascular disease) and CAD (coronary artery disease). Diabetes and smoking are risk factors for PVD and CAD. Clogged carotid arteries contribute to dementia, confusion and memory loss in the elderly. The carotid arteries supply oxygenated blood to the head and neck.
In an open trial, Ginkgo Biloba, noted for its cerebral enhancing effects, was found to be 84% effective in treating antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction predominately caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, N=63). Women (n=33) were more responsive to the sexually enhancing effects of ginkgo biloba than men (N=30), with the relative success rate of 91% versus 76%. Ginkgo Biloba generally had a positive effect on all 4 phases of the sexual response cycle: desire, excitement (erection and lubrication), orgasm, and resolution (afterglow). Ginkgo not only helps brain circulation, but also blood flow.
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 11:34 pm
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