Overview of Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba, known as ginkgo (also spelled gingko), maidenhair tree, Japanese silver apricot, and kew tree, among others, is an ancient, and unique plant. It has no close living relatives and is an example of what is known as an “living fossil”: a type of species that has survived major extinction events.
The tenacity of the Ginkgo tree is particularly celebrated in Hiroshima, Japan where six trees growing only a few kilometres form the 1945 atom bomb were among the few living organisms to survive the blast. Although the trees were charred, they survived and are alive to this day.
For many centuries, Ginkgo was thought be extinct in the wild, although recently two small areas in Eastern China have thought to be native habitat for the Ginkgo tree despite debate that Chinese monks may have preserved the tree in those areas.
Due to the reverence paid to it, the Ginkgo tree has been well preserved and cultivated through the centuries in other areas of China. It has also been widely planted in Korea and Japan on account of its status in Buddhism and Confucianism. It has been cultivated in North America for over 200 years.
The Ginkgo tree is a large and remarkably disease and insect resistant tree. It is long-lived, with some claims of Ginkgo trees reaching 1,500 to 2,500 years old.
Europeans first encountered Ginkgo trees in 1690 in Japanese temple gardens when a German botanist recorded its existence. The tree is the national tree of China and is one of the oldest trees known to humanity.
Ginkgo Uses Throughout History
The leaves of the Ginkgo tree have been utilized in traditional medicine for treatment of a variety of disorders. The extract from the ginkgo leaves have also gained a reputation for memory and learning aids. It is a revered botanical in China (see above).
Ginkgo Herbs Health Benefits
Ginkgo biloba is a widely known remedy used to promote mental functioning and concentration, improve memory, and increase alertness.
Ginkgo herbs have undergone numerous double-blind tests that show its ability to increase the oxygen content to the brain and other bodily tissues. A widely used remedy for treating memory loss and degenerative diseases of the brain and central nervous system, Ginkgo herbs work by protecting cell membranes, neutralizing free radicals, protecting tissues from oxygen deprivation, and stimulating circulation.
Scientific peer-reviewed research has shown that Ginkgo effects include an increase of cerebral blood flow to the brain. Also, it boosts brain levels of adenosine triphosphate and scavenges free radicals (see below for Clinical Studies section detailing some of the findings).
Ginkgo uses have included treating:
- Memory and concentration difficulties
- Confusion and dizziness
- Heart disease
- Depression
- Age-related cognitive decline
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Ginkgo herbs are considered by some to be one of the most valuable herbs in nature. Although this botanical has many uses, its potent influence on memory and concentration has won Ginkgo its wide recognition.
Clinical Studies of Ginkgo Effects
According to clinical studies ginkgo supplements can improve attention significantly in healthy subjects.1
In one study, the researchers concluded that “the administration of Ginkgo biloba is capable of producing a sustained improvement in attention in healthy young volunteers.” Ginkgo effects are nearly immediate and reach a peak approximately two and a hours following intake of the ginkgo supplements.2
Fatigue and anger were found to be reduced in subjects between the ages of 50 and 65 who were treated with Ginkgo capsules of 240 milligrams daily.3
Ginkgo supplements also showed a reduction in anxiety in younger patients.4
Stress can cause cognitive impairment and in one study involving rats, Ginkgo effects were found to prevent learning and memory impairment resulting from chronic stress.5-6
Ginkgo supplements have also been shown to improve conditioned fear responses.7
In patients with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, a daily dosage of 240 milligrams of Ginkgo capsules was found to increase cognitive test scores.8
Clinical studies administering Ginkgo capsules showed 120 milligrams daily to be associated with improved calmness in healthy patients.9
A study aimed at evaluating the effects of stress and blood pressure found that ginkgo supplements may reduce blood pressure during stress in healthy volunteers.10
A dose of 240 milligrams of ginkgo capsules daily showed increases in ratings of self-estimated mental health and quality of life. There was also an increase in motor performance.11
Safety of Ginkgo Supplements
Ginkgo has been extensively tested in clinical trials to evaluate its benefits and thus has also been widely monitored for any adverse effects due to Ginkgo uses. No serious side effects were reported in several large trials were Ginkgo supplements were taken at doses of 120 milligrams to 240 milligrams daily for up to one year.12-14
Ginkgo uses may have the potential to affect blood clotting due to its ability in improving blood flow and decreasing platelet clumping, so it should not be used by those who have bleeding disorders or prior to surgical procedures. Although rarely reported, Ginkgo uses may affect seizures and should not be used by those with epilepsy.
Minor side effects from Ginkgo capsules can include headaches, digestive problems, skin reactions, or muscle weakness. In most clinical trials, however, Ginkgo supplements were reported to be safe and well tolerated.15
Dosage of Ginkgo Capsules
Ginkgo supplements are usually taken in the range of 120 to 240 milligrams daily.
One clinical study found that the most effective dosage of Ginkgo capsules began at 240 milligram, but not exceeding 360 milligrams daily.16
Each serving of HerbalMana, which is 5 capsules, contains 240 milligrams of Ginkgo biloba. It is standardized to 24% flavone and 6% terpene lactones, which is the standardized extract used most widely in clinical research of Ginkgo biloba.
References:
1. Elsabagh (2005). “Differential cognitive effects of Ginkgo biloba after acute and chronic treatment in healthy young volunteers.”. Psychopharmacology 179 (2): 437–46.
2. Kennedy, David O. (2000). “The dose-dependent cognitive effects of acute administration of Ginkgo biloba to healthy young volunteers”. Psychopharmacology 151 (4): 416.
3. Cieza A, Maier P, Poppel E., The effect of ginkgo biloba on healthy elderly subjects, Fortschr Med Orig. 2003; 121(1): 5-10.
4. Woelk H, Arnoldt KH, Kieser M, Hoerr R., Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in generalized anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder with anxious mood: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial., J Psychiatr Res. 2007 Sep ; 41(6): 472-80.
5. Walesiuk A, Braszko JJ., Preventive action of GinkgoWalesiuk A, Braszko JJ biloba in stress- and corticosterone-induced impairment of spatial memory in rats., Phytomedicine. 2009 Jan ; 16(1): 40-6.
6. Takuma K, Hoshina Y, Arai S, Himeno Y, Matsuo A, Funatsu Y, Kitahara Y, Ibi D, Hayase M, Kamei H, Mizoguchi H, Nagai T, Koike K, Inoue M, Yamada K., Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 attenuates hippocampal neuronal loss and cognitive dysfunction resulting from chronic restraint stress in ovariectomized rats., Neuroscience. 2007 Oct 26; 149(2): 256-62.
7. Oliveira DR, Sanada PF, Saragossa Filho AC, Innocenti LR, Oler G, Cerutti JM, Cerutti SM., Neuromodulatory property of standardized extract Ginkgo biloba L. (EGb 761) on memory: behavioral and molecular evidence., Brain Res. 2009 May 7; 1269: 68-89.
8. Napryeyenko O, Sonnik G, Tartakovsky I., Efficacy and tolerability of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 by type of dementia: analyses of a randomised controlled trial., J Neurol Sci. 2009 Aug 15; 283(1-2): 224-9.
9. Kennedy DO, Haskell CF, Mauri PL, Scholey AB., Acute cognitive effects of standardised Ginkgo biloba extract complexed with phosphatidylserine., Hum Psychopharmacol. 2007 Jun ; 22(4): 199-210.
10. Jezova D, Duncko R, Lassanova M, Kriska M, Moncek F., Reduction of rise in blood pressure and cortisol release during stress by Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in healthy volunteers., J Physiol Pharmacol. 2002 Sep ; 53(3): 337-48.
11. Cieza A, Maier P, Poppel E., Effects of Ginkgo biloba on mental functioning in healthy volunteers., Arch Med Res. 2003 Sep-Oct ; 34(5): 373-81.
12. Le Bars PL, Katz MM, Berman N, Itil TM, Freedman AM, Schatzberg AF. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of an extract of Ginkgo biloba for dementia. North American EGb Study Group. JAMA. 1997 Oct 22-29;278(16):1327-32.
13. Solomon PR, Adams F, Silver A, Zimmer J, DeVeaux R. Ginkgo for memory enhancement: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2002 Aug 21;288(7):835-40.
14. Drew S, Davies E. Effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba in treating tinnitus: double blind, placebo controlled trial. BMJ. 2001 Jan 13;322(7278):73.
15. Woelk H, Arnoldt KH, Kieser M, Hoerr R., Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in generalized anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder with anxious mood: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial., J Psychiatr Res. 2007 Sep ; 41(6): 472-80.
16. Kennedy, David O. (2000). “The dose-dependent cognitive effects of acute administration of Ginkgo biloba to healthy young volunteers”. Psychopharmacology 151 (4): 416.