GINKGO BILOBA or THE MILLIONAIRE TREE
Native to China and Japan, the Ginkgo Biloba tree now grows in some areas of Europe and North America. The Chinese attribute many different properties to Ginkgo. The medicinal properties this majestic tree is various:
• Tones and stimulates the circulatory system
• Reduces swelling
• Antiasthmatic
• Antioxidant
• Antispasmodic
• Antiallergenic
More than ten years ago, researchers discovered that Ginkgo possessed many excellent properties, among which is that of stimulating circulation, principally in the brain.
1. Stimulates and tones the brain due to the increase of circulation in the brain, and therefore the increased oxygenation and sustenance of brain cells, produced by the extract from the leaves of Ginkgo Biloba. This plant has given excellent results for combating a series of infirmities related to the brain and mental health.
2. Increases memory and mental concentration. In Europe, millions of daily dosages are consumed by students and professionals in order to increase their mental abilities, for work or study.
3. Senility and Alzheimer’s disease. Numerous studies conclude that the daily consumption of Ginkgo Biloba extract produces a considerable increase in memory and in the activity of neurons in the brain. Some articles mentioned by Dr. Franck Murray in his book, “Ginkgo Biloba”, bring out the following: Dr. W.V. Weitbrecht, along with collaborators in Germany, carried out a study on 40 patients between 60 and 80 years of age. Twenty of them were given 120 mg/day of ginkgo biloba extract, while the other twenty were given a placebo. After 3 months, the researchers reported that the patients who took Ginkgo demonstrated more concentration and much higher levels of mental activity than those who did not receive it. Other research has demonstrated that the percentage of nerve transmissions in the neurons increases significantly.
4. Headache (Migraine). A study done in France by Dr. Dalet in 1975 in which patients suffering from migraine headaches took Ginkgo biloba extract, shows an improvement of 80% of the cases. The reason for the alleviation in migraine sufferers may be due to effect on the arteries by the active ingredients of the plant.
5. Asthma and Ginkgo. The modern Chinese pharmacology notes the qualities o Ginkgo in the treatment of bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis. The reason for this is due to the effects produced by the active ingredients of Ginkgo (ginkgolides) to alleviate bronchial constriction. Dr. Donald J. Brown, N.D., commented in the magazine “Let’s Live” that in cases of asthma in children, he has observed a reduction in severe asthma as well as in the frequency of attacks.
6. Loss of Hearing. This problem affects millions of Americans. A study done in France in 1979 (Chesseboeuf L.) reveals that the hearing organs are highly sensitive to a lack of oxygen. Ginkgo biloba has proven to be an excellent stimulant for circulation and therefore oxygenation of the hearing organs, thus resulting in improved hearing for those having suffered from hearing loss.
7. Impotence. Given that the majority of men suffering from impotence are individuals in whom the required blood pressure and volume is lacking, Ginkgo biloba has proven to stimulate this function due to its ability to dilate the vessels, which in turn facilitates the necessary blood flow for obtaining sexual virility.
8. Circulatory Problems. Although the circulation of blood is very important for all the body’s organs, it is of essential importance for the brain and heart, vital organs on which the whole body depends. Ginkgo has proven to exercise substantial beneficial help where circulatory problems exist in the brain, alleviating problems related to embolism and cerebral infarction, as well as thrombosis. Ginkgo causes the vessels to dilate which allows a greater quantity of blood to circulate. As a consequence, this action brings about the lowering of the blood pressure.
9. Ginkgo is also beneficial for the treatment of poor circulation in the legs and hands (cold legs and hands), as well as in other part of the body where circulation is deficient.
10. Antioxidant. Ginkgo acts as an excellent antioxidant which helps prevent the general deterioration of the body. Vitamins C, A, and E, as well as selenium, helps destroy free radicals and Ginkgo takes part of this activity.
A regular dosage is 40 mg of Ginkgo extract per day.
See details of Forever Ginkgo Plus which combines Ginkgo Biloba with the benefits of Reshi, Schizandra, Fo-Ti.
References:
(1): Root, Elizabeth J., Ph.D. & Longnecker, John B. Ph.D. “Nutrition, the Brain, and the Alzheimer’s Disease” Nutrition Today, 1988
(2): Brown Donald J. N.D. “Ginkgo Biloba Old and New: Part II” Let’s live, 1992
(3): Warburton, D.M. “Clinical Psychopharmacology of Ginkgo Biloba Extract” In Rokan (Ginkgo Biloba): Recent Results in Pharmacology and Clinic. Berlin Springer- Verlag, 1988
(4): Sikora, R., et al. “Ginkgo Biloba Extract in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction” J. of Urology, 1989
(5): Bohemer, D., et al. “The Treatment of Peripheral Artery Occlusive Disease with Ginkgo Biloba Extract or Pentoxyfyline” Herz/Kreislaut, 1988
(6): Orest Szczurko, Neil Shear, Anna Taddio and Heather Boon, “Ginkgo biloba for the treatment of vitilgo vulgaris: an open label pilot clinical trial”, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medecine, 2011, 11:21
(7): Steven T. DeKosky, MD et al. “Ginkgo biloba for Prevention of Dementia. A Randomized Controlled Trial”, JAMA, 2008, 300 (19):2253-2262
