GINKGO BILOBA (bai guo)
The ginkgo tree is the last remaining member of the Ginkgoaceae, a family that once numbered many species. Having survived unchanged in China for more than 200 million years, ginkgo was brought to Europe in 1730 and since then has become a popular ornamental tree in parks and gardens throughout the world. Because of its hardiness, it even thrives along the heavily trafficked streets of some of our major cities. Ginkgo's fleshy seeds have been valued in China for their medicinal properties since 2800 B.C., but it is only in the last forty years that the leaves of this living fossil have been utilized extensively in Western medicine. Unlike many of the herbs in use today, ginkgo leaves are not used in their crude state but as a concentrated, standardized ginkgo biloba extract. This extract has become a very popular medication in Europe, where it is widely used for its beneficial effects on the circulatory system. Ginkgo Biloba extract is produced from green-picked leaves grown on plantations in the United States, France, Japan, and South Korea that have been specifically developed for pharmaceutical purposes. After drying and milling, the leaves are extracted with an acetone-water mixture under partial vacuum. The organic solvent is then removed and the extract processed, dried, and standardized. It is then adjusted to a potency of 24 percent flavonoids (mostly flavonoid glycosides and quercetin) and 6 percent terpenes. In the extraction process, other constituents are removed including ginkgolic acid, an allergen. The product is marketed in both solid and liquid form; each tablet or capsule usually contains 40 mg of the extract. There is an impressive body of literature attesting to the effectiveness of Ginkgo in treating ailments associated with decreased cerebral blood flow, particularly in geriatric patients. These conditions include short-term memory loss, headache, tinnitus, depression, and the like. Clinical and pharmacological studies have shown that Ginkgo promotes vasodilation and improved blood flow both in the arteries and capillaries. There are also indications that it is an effective free-radical scavenger. Large doses are required, which explains why a concentrate is used rather than the herb itself. Ginkgo does reduce the clotting time of blood, which may be of concern to those already taking anticoagulants. Very large doses may cause restlessness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and other unpleasant effects, usually of a relatively mild nature. If these occur, stop taking the medication or reduce the dosage. Ginkgo biloba is one of the most popular botanical medicines in Traditional Chinese medicine. They have been using this ancient tree for thousands of years to treat asthma and cold injury to fingers and toes, as well as to aid memory. The roasted seeds were traditionally used in China and Japan for indigestion and intoxication. Ginkgo is the oldest living species of tree, having survived for 200 million years, and is known as a living fossil. One tree can live as long as 1,000 years which is why the tree may impart these qualities of longevity to humans. The leaves retard the aging process in the circulatory system and thus affect the arteries, capillaries, veins and heart. Ginkgo improves blood flow through the arteries to the brain, alleviating vertigo, tinnitus, short-term memory loss, headaches, depression, poor concentration and other age-related disorders. Ginkgo has been shown to improve neural transmission in the brain, making it a good remedy for degenerative senility . Ginkgo also improves circulation throughout the body, useful particularly for elderly people who feel the cold in their extremities. Ginkgo helps stop blood clotting and acts as an antioxidant, and a free radical scavenger, and makes an excellent medicine for arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, angina and to prevent strokes and heart attacks. Ginkgo has been seen to improve visual acuity, hearing, balance, mood, varicose veins, ulcers and hemorrhoids. Ginkgo can also be used externally for hemorrhoids, varicose veins and ulcers. Chinese herbal medicine - Ginkgo seeds are used to relieve wheezing and to lessen phlegm. They are also given to treat vaginal discharge, a weak bladder, and incontinence. The leaves are traditionally used for treating asthma. Western herbal medicine - Western interest in ginkgo has concentrated on the remarkable ability of the leaves to improve the circulation, especially poor circulation to the brain, and the herb's antiallergenic and antiinflammatory actions, which make it a particularly useful remedy for the treatment of asthma. Ginkgo is the best selling herbal medicine in France and Germany, where it is taken daily by millions of people from middle age onward to maintain and improve cerebral circulation and the memory and to reduce the possibility of a stroke. Ginkgo is probably one of the most useful herbs for the treatment of senile dementia.
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