Ginkgo Biloba Benefits and Risks – Why Use This Herbal Remedy?

The list of Ginkgo biloba benefits is not limited to just memory and mental health.

Even though in recent years Ginkgo has become most popular as a natural memory enhancer, it has traditionally been used as a full-body cure-all for ailments ranging from asthma, to bronchitis, to earache.

In traditional Chinese medicine dating back thousands of years, Ginkgo was used to enhance overall energy, boost libido, and solve muscle and joint pain.

All of these benefits of Ginkgo biloba can still be enjoyed, however most modern research into the remedy has focused on its cognitive benefits.

Let’s take a look at what we’ve learned about how Ginkgo is able to deliver benefits for both mental and physical wellness. Then, we’ll rank those Ginkgo biloba benefits against any possible side effects to get a full picture of this supplement.

Ginkgo Biloba

Herbal Supplement

Memory Recall

Cognitive Function

Concentra- tion

How It Works:

• Supports short & long-term memory
• Improves concentration & circulation to brain
• Neuroprotective & anti-oxidant

Dosage:

Between 120 - 360 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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China’s Natural Herbal Cure-All

Ginkgo biloba has been used for total physical and mental wellness in Oriental medicine for at least the past 1500 years.

That’s the average life expectancy of the typical Ginkgo biloba tree. The species itself has been active on Earth for 270 million years, though now it is considered a living fossil with no close plant relatives.

Though it grows solely in the Chinese provinces of Zheilang and Tian Mu Shan, it remains perhaps the most widely used and popular herbal supplement in China.

Everyday people take the herb to improve circulation of blood, energy, and thoughts. This energetic flow translates into increased well-being across the board. As the bioactive leaves of the tree have found broader use as a dietary supplement in the West, the most desired Ginkgo biloba benefits have resided in the mind.

Ginkgo’s Positive Effect on the Body

Ginkgo’s prime benefits originate in the circulatory system. The emphasis on excellent circulation is unique among the most popular nootropics on the market. Ginkgo enhances the strength and tone of veins by promoting the release of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2.

These agents protect vessel walls and block platelet formation. As a result, circulation is enhanced in all major organs and tissues in the body.

Excellent circulation in the brain is especially critical, as cerebrovascular insufficiencies can cause imbalances both large and small. Things as minor as headaches or as major as strokes are all connected to how good blood flow to the brain is. Ginkgo supports circulation in the body, as well as prevents clots with ginkgolide B.

Healthy neural tissue is more prone to support neuron and synapse growth, the key factors connected to memory formation. Ginkgo also acts much like an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, guarding the amount of the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine which is present. These factors all combine to promote neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain to adapt and grow over time and the key to mental longevity.

Other important Ginkgo biloba benefits include the inhibition of Mono Amine Oxidase. This chemical is responsible for decreasing amounts of Dopamine, Serotonin, and Norepinephrine in the brain.

By inhibiting MAOs, Ginkgo and other similar supplements contribute to a sense of mental clarity, energy, and heightened concentration. Ginkgo biloba also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which may help to protect against infection and disease.

Best Ginkgo biloba Benefits

Memory enhancement is front and center on the list of Ginkgo biloba benefits. The ability of the supplement to enhance factual recall is well-documented over a thousand year history. Ginkgo also helps to promote intellectual function, stimulate mental clarity, and create the ability to concentrate intensely.

It is an energy enhancing supplement that can help with lifting the mood. At the same time, it can bring relief to hyperactive minds by giving them strong control over thoughts without heavy sedation.

Ginkgo’s quality of increasing circulation benefits not just the brain, but all of the organs and tissues of the body. This is the reason that ancient Chinese medicine used it for so many different minor ailments. It has been used for reducing bronchial tube inflammation, making breathing easier for asthma patients, easing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and reducing muscle pain throughout the body.

The Natural Medicines database has rated Ginkgo biloba as Possibly Effective for improving symptoms of anxiety, cognitive function, dementia, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral vascular disease, PMS, schizophrenia, tardive dyskinesia, and vertigo.

Research on Ginkgo is very promising, however more studies, especially large-scale human trials, are still needed to understand all of the effects of Ginkgo. At this time in the USA, Ginkgo biloba is available as a dietary supplement only, and the FDA has not approved Ginkgo biloba as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

Possible Risks of Taking Ginkgo

Most Ginkgo biloba benefits are worth the relatively small side effects the supplement produces. Only a few people react negatively to moderate dosages, hence the popularity of the supplement over more than a thousand years of use.

The Natural Medicines database has rated Ginkgo biloba as Likely Safe when used orally and appropriately, even in the long-term (studies have safely used Ginkgo supplements for up to 6 years). Ginkgo is generally well tolerated at suggested doses in most healthy adults.

The seeds of the Ginkgo tree, while already rare, are to be avoided, as they contain toxins which could lead to seizures or possibly death. However, all reputable Ginkgo supplement capsules and powder are prepared from the leaves of the tree, which are non-toxic.

If you have a liver condition or issues with blood clotting, Ginkgo is not an appropriate supplement to take. It is always recommended that you speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplements to determine if there may be any contraindications.

Pregnant women should also avoid Ginkgo. The stimulating quality of the remedy may not be suitable for them, or for small children. There are several other cognitive enhancing nootropics which produce similar memory boosting effects without these risks.

Enhancing Ginkgo biloba Benefits with Other Nootropics

The best Ginkgo biloba benefits start with proper dosing. Though the FDA has not established dosing guidelines for Ginkgo, most people traditionally take between 120 mg and 600 mg per day. The lower end of that range is appropriate for most people and produces noticeable effects.

This is a general dosage guideline, and your personal dosage may be different. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor to determine the best dosage for your needs.

For added cognitive power, Ginkgo is frequently paired in a stack with choline-boosting nootropics known as cholinergics. This combination may produce a boost to memory and concentration, while adding valuable neuro-protective qualities for brain longevity.

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