All about Ginkgo Biloba

• Contains  powerful antioxidants

Ginkgo's antioxidant content may be behind many of its health claims.

This is because Ginkgo contains  high levels of flavonoids and terpenoids , which are compounds known for their powerful antioxidant effects.

Antioxidants fight or neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals.

Free radicals are highly reactive particles that are produced in the body during normal metabolic functions, such as the conversion of food into energy or detoxification.

However, they also have the potential to damage healthy tissue, contributing to accelerated aging and the development of disease.

Research on the antioxidant effects of ginkgo is promising. Nevertheless, it is not yet known exactly how it works and how effective it is in the treatment of certain diseases.

• May help  fight inflammation

Inflammation is part of the body's natural response to injury or invasion by a foreign substance.

In the inflammatory response, various components of the immune system are recruited to fight the foreign invader or heal the injured area.

Some chronic diseases trigger an inflammatory response even in the absence of disease or injury. Over time, this excess inflammation can cause permanent damage to the body's tissues and DNA.

Years of animal research show that ginkgo extract can  reduce markers of inflammation in human  and animal cells in various disease states.

Some specific conditions in which ginkgo extract has been shown to reduce inflammation include:

• arthritis
• Irritable bowel disease (IBD)
• Cancer
• heart disease
• Stroke

While these data are encouraging, human studies are needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn about ginkgo's role in treating these complex diseases.

• Improves  circulation  and  heart health

In traditional Chinese medicine, ginkgo seeds were used to open energy "channels" to different organ systems, including the kidneys, liver, brain, and lungs.

Ginkgo's apparent ability to increase blood flow to different parts of the body may be behind many of its supposed benefits.

A study in people with heart disease who took a ginkgo supplement found an immediate increase in blood flow to several parts of the body. This phenomenon has been attributed to a 12% increase in circulating levels of nitric oxide, a compound responsible for the dilation of blood vessels.

Similarly, another study showed the same effect in older adults who were treated with ginkgo extract.

Other research also points to ginkgo's protective effects on heart health, brain health, and stroke prevention. There are multiple potential explanations for this, one of which may be the anti-inflammatory compounds found in the plant.

More research is needed to fully understand how ginkgo affects circulation and heart and brain health.

• Reduces symptoms of  psychiatric disorders  and  dementia

Ginkgo has been repeatedly evaluated for its ability to  reduce anxiety, stress, and other symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline .

Overall, research findings are conflicting in this area.

Some studies show a marked reduction in the rate of cognitive decline in people with dementia who use ginkgo, but others fail to replicate this result.

A review of 21 studies found that when used alongside conventional medicine, ginkgo extract can increase functional abilities in people with mild Alzheimer's disease.

Another review assessed four studies and found a significant reduction in a spectrum of symptoms associated with dementia when ginkgo was used for 22 to 24 weeks.

These positive results may be related to the role that ginkgo may play in improving blood flow to the brain, especially in relation to vascular types of dementia.

Overall, it's too early to definitively say or refute ginkgo's role in treating dementia, but recent research is beginning to shed some light on this piece.

• Improves  brain function  and  well-being

There is speculation that ginkgo may  improve brain function in healthy individuals .

A handful of small studies support the idea that ginkgo supplementation can improve mental performance and perceived well-being.

The results of studies like these have led to claims linking ginkgo to improved memory, concentration, and attention span.

However, a thorough review of research on this relationship concluded that ginkgo supplementation caused no measurable improvements in memory, executive function, or attention span.

While ginkgo supplementation can improve mental abilities, however, there is currently no guarantee of this.

• May  reduce anxiety

Some research indicates that ginkgo supplementation may  reduce symptoms of anxiety .

A handful of animal studies have observed a reduction in anxiety symptoms that could be attributed to ginkgo's antioxidant content.

In one study, 170 people with generalized anxiety were treated with 240mg or 480mg of ginkgo or a placebo. The group treated with the highest dose of ginkgo reported a 45% greater reduction in anxiety symptoms than the placebo group.

Although ginkgo supplementation may reduce anxiety, it is still too early to draw firm conclusions from the available research.

• Can  treat depression

A review of animal studies suggests that ginkgo supplementation may  help treat symptoms of depression .

Mice that received ginkgo before an unavoidable stressful situation were less emotionally affected by the stress than the group that did not receive the supplement.

The study indicates that this effect is linked to ginkgo's anti-inflammatory properties, which improve the body's ability to cope with high levels of stress hormones.

Nevertheless, depression is a complex condition with multiple root causes.

More research is needed to better understand the relationship between ginkgo and how it may affect depression in humans.

• May promote  vision  and  eye health

Very little research has been done on the link between ginkgo and vision and eye health. However, the first results are promising.

One study showed that people with glaucoma who took ginkgo increased blood flow to the eye, but this did not necessarily translate to better vision.

Another review of two studies assessed the effect of ginkgo extract on the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Some participants reported an improvement in their vision, but this was not statistically significant overall.

Many of these positive results appear to be related to increased blood flow to the eye.

It is uncertain whether ginkgo improves vision in people who do not already have visual impairment.

More research is needed to determine if ginkgo can increase visual ability or slow the progression of degenerative eye diseases.

• May treat  headaches  and  migraines

In traditional Chinese medicine, ginkgo is a  very popular treatment for headaches and migraines .

Very little research is available on ginkgo's ability to treat headaches. However, depending on the root cause of the headache, it may help.

For example, ginkgo is well known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. If a headache or migraine is caused by excessive stress, ginkgo can be helpful.

Additionally, if a headache is related to decreased blood flow or constricted blood vessels, ginkgo's ability to dilate blood vessels may improve symptoms.

On the contrary, some migraines are caused by excessive dilation of blood vessels. In this situation, ginkgo may have little or no effect.

But these examples are only inferences and do not replace hard evidence.

If you want to try ginkgo for your migraines, it's unlikely to cause you much harm. Just be aware that it is not necessarily useful.

• May improve  symptoms of asthma  and  COPD

Some research indicates that ginkgo may  improve symptoms of asthma and other inflammatory respiratory diseases like COPD .

This is attributed to the anti-inflammatory compounds in ginkgo, which may help reduce airway inflammation and increase lung capacity.

A study in 75 people evaluated the use of ginkgo extract alongside drug therapy with glucocorticosteroids to manage asthma symptoms.

Levels of inflammatory compounds in the saliva of people who received ginkgo were significantly lower than those of people who received only traditional medications.

Another study in 100 people evaluated the use of a Chinese herbal blend, including ginkgo, to treat COPD symptoms.

People who used the herbal formula reported a significant reduction in cough and bronchitis at a three-month follow-up, compared to the control group.

At this point, it is impossible to determine if this improvement can be attributed to ginkgo alone, or if it is a synergistic effect of the other herbs used in the treatment group formula.

Although these results are encouraging, more research on this specific application of ginkgo is needed.

• Reduces PMS symptoms 

Preliminary research indicates that ginkgo may  help treat the physical and psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome  (PMS).

A study in 85 college students found a 23% reduction in PMS symptoms reported when consuming ginkgo.

Interestingly, the placebo group in this study also experienced a slight reduction in PMS symptoms, although it was much lower (8.8%).

More research is needed to better understand the cause and effect relationship between ginkgo and PMS symptoms.

• Treats  sexual dysfunctions

Some sources indicate that ginkgo can  treat sexual dysfunctions, such as erectile dysfunction or low libido .

Ginkgo has the ability to improve blood levels of nitric oxide, which improves circulation by dilating blood vessels.

Therefore, ginkgo may also be helpful in treating various symptoms of sexual dysfunction by improving blood flow to these areas of the body.

Some research has looked at the use of ginkgo to treat sexual dysfunction caused by the use of antidepressant medications. The results indicated that ginkgo was no more effective than a placebo in these cases.

Additionally, there could be an interaction between ginkgo and SSRI medications, which could make them less effective.

One study evaluated the use of ginkgo to increase sexual desire and satisfaction in women who were concurrently undergoing sexual psychotherapy.