Ginko also spelled gingko and known as the Maidenhair Tree, is a unique species of tree with no close living relatives. The tree is widely cultivated and introduced, since an early period in human history, and has various uses as a food and traditional medicine.
Some benefit of Gikgo biloba
•To improve mental function
•Alzheimer's disease
•Age-related memory loss
•Macular degeneration
•Sexual dysfunction
•To enhance blood circulation
Ginkgo leaves are believed to contain compounds that thin blood and help to improve muscle tone in the walls of blood vessels. It works by increasing blood flow to the brain through the entire body's blood vessel which supplies oxygen and nutrien. Good blood circulation is esential for good health and promotes general longevity and most of all keep body to keep healthy.
More than 40 components isolated from the ginkgo tree have been identified, but only two are believed to be responsible for the herb's medicinal effects: flavonoids and terpenoids. Ginkgo has 2 groups of active components-flavanoids and terpene lactones including Gingolides A,B and C, bilobalide, quercetin and kaempferol. Flavonoids are plant-based antioxidants. Laboratory and animal studies have shown that flavonoids protect the nerves, heart muscle, blood vessels, and retina from damage. Terpenoids (such as ginkgolides) improve blood flow by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of platelets and also help control allergic inflamantion and asthma. Using ginkgo for asthma and bronchitis was described in 2600 BC.
Ginkgo biloba also acts as powerful antioxidant and helps destroy free radicals which have contributes to aging. For someone suffer Alzheimer's disease, Ginkgo will works as a brain enhancer and for healthy person it help to improve brain function by preventing and treating conditions of cerebral vascular deficiencies.
The list of other uses of ginkgo is very long. This maybe because this herb has been around for so long. Ginkgo biloba is the longest living tree species in the world. Ginkgo trees can live as long as a thousand years. Although Chinese herbal medicine has used both the ginkgo leaf and seed for thousands of years, modern research has focused on the standardized Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), which is prepared from the dried green leaves. This standardized extract is highly concentrated and seems to be clinically more effective in treating health problems (particularly circulatory ailments) than the non-standardized leaf alone.
Side effects of ginkgo leaf include excessive bleeding, some gastrointestinal discomfort and headaches. Rarely, seizures have been reported in people using either the ginkgo leaf or seed. Other side effects allergic skin reactions, or muscle weakness. People should not consume fresh ginkgo seeds. Roasted ginkgo seeds may cause diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, vomiting, or allergic skin reactions. Side effects of fresh ginkgo seeds or over 10 roasted ginkgo seeds may include difficulty breathing, seizures, unconsciousness and death.
