Ginkgo Biloba a guide

What exactly is Ginkgo Biloba?

Ginkgo has become one of the most commonly prescribed herbal medicines in Europe, frequently prescribed for age related cognitive decline and circulatory problems. Ginkgo's active ingredients are the ginkgo flavone glycosides (flavonoids) and terpene lactones gingolides and bilobalide. Ginkgo gets it's name from the bi-lobed leaves, the extract is drawn from the leaves of younger trees. The Ginkgo tree lives as long as 1000 years and may grow to a height of 120 feet and has amazing resistance to extremes of pollution, temperature and insects.

How does Ginkgo work?

Ginkgo Biloba extract (GBE) may help improve blood flow to the brain and extremities, it is an antioxidant and mildly inhibits platelet aggregation (blood stickyness), studies suggest that Ginkgo also helps to regulate the tone and elasticity of blood vessels making circulation more efficient.

Why do people take Ginkgo Biloba?

Common uses for Ginkgo are age related cognitive decline including memory loss, tinnitus, impotence and altitude sickness, other uses and potential uses are being studied, we like to think of Ginkgo as a circulation boosting antioxidant with general health and energy boosting properties, phew.

When should I expect to feel the benefits of taking Ginkgo Biloba?

The benefits vary from person to person because of height, weight, diet, lifestyle, sex and the name of your pet is quite a factor. As with any dietary supplement, results don't happen overnight. Generally, people notice Ginkgo's effects after anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks.

Are there any precautions?

As with any dietary supplement, pregnant and lactating women should consult their health care practitioner before taking Ginkgo. You should also seek advice before taking Ginkgo with anticoagulant medicine such as aspirin.

Can taking Ginkgo Biloba turn me into a tree?

A good question! In short, no. Fortunately side effects are rare with standardised extract, occasional mild headaches lasting a couple of days and mild stomach upsets have been reported in a very small percentage of people using standardised Ginkgo extract.