Written by What Is Ginkgo Biloba?
Latin Names: Ginkgo biloba, Salisburia macrophylla, Salisbury aurantifolia
Other Names: Adiantifolia, Abricot Argenté Japonais, Arbre aux Écus, Arbre du Ciel, Arbre aux Quarante Écus, Bai Guo Ye, Arbre Fossile, Baiguo, Extrait de Ginkgo, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf, Fossil Tree, Ginkgo Extract, Ginkgo Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Folium, Ginkgo Seed, Herba Ginkgo Biloba, Graine de Ginkgo, Japanese Silver Apricot, Maidenhair Tree, Kew Tree, Noyer du Japon, Yen Xing, Pei Go Su Ye, Yinhsing.
Ginkgo biloba is firstly grown in eastern China and then brought to Japan from which moved to the West. Ginkgo trees may sometimes live for 2,000 years and reach 100 feet in height. They are very hardy; in a point of fact, there are some ginkgo trees in Japan that survived after the atomic bomb. The ginkgo is considered the national plant of China. This tree has yellow flowers and fan-shaped leaves that are used to make into a ginkgo extract. In autumn, its leaves turn to bright yellow and then drop to the ground. This tree also produces cherry-sized seeds that fall to the ground in autumn, thereby beginning a new generation. The edible seeds were a food in ancient China. Ginkgo trees are commonly found in Asia, but you may also find them in the sparsely populated areas that have good irrigation & drainage. There are many beauty & health benefits of ginkgo biloba that you should not miss. If you want to discover more about these benefits, keep reading on the Effective Remedies site.
What Are The Beauty & Health Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba And Its Uses?
Ginkgo extract is comprised of a lot of pharmaceutically active compounds, including terpene trilactones and various types of bilobalide. Other components of the ginkgo extract are flavonoid glycosides such as quercetin and myricetin. This plant also has alkylphenols, phenolic acids, biflavones, proanthocyanidins, and polyprenols. Some specific compounds in the gingko are 6-hydroxykynurenic acid and 4-O-methylpyridoxine acid.
Some of the unique and important health benefits of ginkgo biloba are its ability to boost vision, improve memory, treat depression, boost circulation, alleviate pain, lower blood pressure, boost heart health, protect the nervous system, delay the signs of aging, and prevent cancer. Now, continue reading the article to check these benefits in detail.
1. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba On Health – Treat Vitiligo
In a double-blind trial, 47 people with vitiligo were given a placebo and 40 mg of the ginkgo extract 3 times per day. The ginkgo group reported a significant end of the progression of depigmentation. The marked repigmentation was seen in ten patients in this ginkgo group, compared to just two in the placebo group.
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Another recent study of 11 people with vitiligo found that about 60 milligrams of the ginkgo biloba taken twice per day improved vitiligo significantly. The progress of vitiligo stopped in the participants while the average repigmentation was 15 percent.
2. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Reduce Retinal Damage
In some studies, ginkgo biloba demonstrates its antioxidant properties that help to improve the platelet & nerve cell functions and give the great blood flow to the brain & nervous system. In addition, it also helps to reduce the blood viscosity. It can increase vascular dilation that may aid in reducing the retinal damage caused due to macular degradation & reverse the deafness caused due to the reduced blood flow.
3. Reduce The Symptoms Of Premenstrual Syndrome
If you have some uncomfortable symptoms in your menstrual period, try taking ginkgo biloba to get relief. A study in the “Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine” in 2009 investigated the beauty & health benefits of ginkgo biloba used for women with the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. In this study, participants who used the ginkgo supplements 3 times a day from day 16 of the menstrual cycle until day 5 of the next period reported that they got relief from their PMS symptoms. However, further research is still needed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of dosages and treatment during using the supplement.
Learn more: Natural Home Remedies For Menstrual Cramps Relief
4. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Anxiety
According to a study in the “Journal of Psychiatric Research”, people suffering from generalized anxiety disorder who used ginkgo experienced better relief from anxiety than people who took a placebo. Nevertheless, people who are taking Xanax for anxiety avoid using ginkgo because it can reduce the effectiveness of this drug.
See more: All Natural Home Remedies For Anxiety Attacks Relief
5. Health Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Spider Veins
To treat spider veins, try taking the ginkgo biloba extract; especially 50:1 standardized ginkgo biloba extract because it gives you all its medicinal benefits. You may take 120-240 mg of the ginkgo biloba extract daily, divided into 2-3 doses. At the first time, you should take 40 mg of the ginkgo extract 3 times daily. Remember to consult an herbalist for its dosages as per your own requirement.
6. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Remove Tonsil Stones
To remove tonsil stones, dissolve a little honey in 1 cup of the gingko biloba tea. Then, drink this solution immediately or gargle with it.
Read more: Natural Home Remedies For Tonsillitis Pain
7. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba On Health – Relieve Depression
Taking ginkgo biloba with venlafaxine (a type of antidepressant drug) aids in reducing the damage of the brain induced due to stress, which is a contributing reason for depression.
You can use this herb in the forms of capsules, tablets, or a beverage to treat depression. To know its dosages in detail, click at the Depression Remedy No. 11
8. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Glaucoma
According to one study, glaucoma patients who took 120 mg of the gingko biloba daily for more than 8 weeks improved their vision significantly. Also, some studies have suggested that it can aid people with macular degeneration in keeping their sight for a longer time.
According to another study of the “Indiana University Medical Center”, taking 40 mg of the ginkgo extract 3 times daily improves the flow of the blood in the ophthalmic artery within 2 days.
9. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Impotence
The main factor for male impotence is a poor blood circulation & impaired blood flow through their penis. Ginkgo biloba enhances the blood flow, so it has been proved to help 50 percent of impotency patients after 6 months of use.
10. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Numbness
Taking 40 milligrams of the ginkgo biloba for 3 times every day is beneficial for treating numbness. Nevertheless, you should consult a doctor before taking it internally because it may interfere with some medications.
See more: Natural Home Remedies for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Wrist
11. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Schizophrenia
According to a meta-analysis of three trials, researchers in China found that taking ginkgo biloba might improve the tardive dyskinesia symptoms in people with schizophrenia. Tardive dyskinesia is a side effect of taking anti-psychotic drugs that are usually prescribed for schizophrenia patients. Its symptoms are tongue thrusting, facial grimacing, jaw swinging, finger movement, and repetitive chewing.
According to some researchers, the high antioxidant sources of the ginkgo biloba reduce tardive dyskinesia. Treatment with 240 milligrams of the ginkgo biloba helps to improve the symptoms of this disease.
12. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Stroke Recovery
According to a study published in the “Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Disease”, the ginkgo prevents the neurologic deficits associated with a stroke. Researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 102 people with acute stroke. 51 patients took a placebo and the others took ginkgo. After 4 months of using ginkgo, 17 patients (58.6%) reduced the deficit scores by about 50 percent or more while there are only 5 patients in the placebo group.
It is important for you to choose a product including a least 24% of the ginkgo heterosides and take 40 to 80 milligrams 3 times a day.
13. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Wheezing
Drinking ginkgo biloba on a daily basis can aid in boosting up the function of lungs while controlling the symptoms of wheezing. Simply, put the ginkgo biloba in 1 pot of boiling water and then steep it for several minutes. After that, let it cool before drinking it. You should have this tea several times a day for a few weeks to relieve this problem. You may also take ginkgo biloba tablets after consulting a doctor.
Learn more: Natural Home Remedies For Allergies In Children & Adults
14. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Arterial Disease
People with the peripheral occlusive arterial disease often result in an intermittent claudication, or the leg pain when doing exercise, especially walking.
Taking ginkgo biloba may aid in reducing pain when walking for people with intermittent claudication.
According to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers gave 111 patients with the peripheral occlusive arterial disease the ginkgo biloba extract and a placebo. At the week of 8, 16, & 24, the patients had to walk on the treadmill at 3 km an hour. The average distance of pain-free walking in the ginkgo biloba group was better than the other group at each walking trial. The researchers confirmed that ginkgo biloba caused a significant & relevant extension of the walking distance of the patients.
15. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Enhance Memory & Treat Dementia
The “University of Maryland Medical Center” stated that gingko biloba is widely used for treating dementia in Europe. According to a study in the “Journal of the American Medical Association”, the ginkgo is completely safe to use and beneficial for stabilizing & improving patients with dementia for 6 to 12 months.
Many researchers believe that ginkgo biloba may help to improve the cognitive function because it boosts up the blood circulation in your brain and protects your brain as well as other parts from the neuronal damage.
16. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Migraines
A study of 24 adolescents in Italy found that the Ginkgolide B present in the ginkgo biloba was effective in reducing migraine frequency and helped to reduce the need for taking migraine medications.
According to another study of 50 women in Italy, the Ginkgolide B also helps to reduce migraine frequency & duration. Patients taking 60 milligrams of the ginkgo biloba 2 times a day for 4 months lowered the average number of having a migraine from 3.7 to 1.2 while reducing the duration of a migraine on average from 40 mins to 17.6 mins.
Learn more: Natural Home Remedies for Migraines
17. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Tinnitus
According to a meta-analysis of 8 trials, taking ginkgo biloba can help to treat tinnitus successfully.
In one study in Germany, 60 patients suffering from chronic tinnitus undertook 10 days of the inpatient infusion treatment of taking 200 milligrams of ginkgo per day. They were divided into 2 groups to take 80 milligrams of ginkgo 2 times a day or a placebo for 12 weeks. Researchers found that taking ginkgo was better compared to the placebo for relieving the tinnitus symptoms and reducing hearing loss.
In another study of 103 people with tinnitus in France, ginkgo biloba extract helped to improve this disease of all the patients.
18. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Macular Degeneration
The flavonoids present in the ginkgo biloba may be effective in curing or reducing some retinal problems.
Simply, drink 2 cups of the ginkgo tea daily to enhance your eyesight. Taking 110 to 220 milligrams of the ginkgo biloba extract 1 time per day also gives you desired relief from this problem.
19. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Vertigo
To reduce the symptoms of the dizziness effectively, you may take ginkgo biloba extract. For proper doses, click at the Vertigo Remedy No. 10
20. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Attention Deficit Disorder
According to a preliminary study conducted on 6 patients with attention deficit disorder, taking ginkgo biloba improves inattention, hyperactivity, and immaturity factors significantly.
According to a similar study of children suffering from the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, adding 80-120 milligrams of the ginkgo biloba per day to the medication regimen of these children for 6 weeks significantly improves the attention as rated by teachers & parents.
21. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat Asthma
The anti-inflammatory & antihistamine effects of the ginkgo biloba help to cure asthma effectively. In a study in 2007, the ginkgo biloba extract helps to prevent the inflamed cells from infiltration in the asthmatic airway & ease the airway inflammation.
You may take its supplement form available in the market to treat asthma.
See more: Natural Home Remedies For Asthma Attack Fast In Adults
22. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Prevent Cancer
The high source of antioxidants in ginkgo biloba, including the variety of flavonoids, polyphenolic, & terpenoids compounds, help to remove the free radicals, the dangerous byproducts of the cellular metabolism that attack your healthy cells and cause mutation or apoptosis into cancerous cells. With these antioxidants, ginkgo biloba is beneficial in protecting the body from chronic disease, especially cancer & heart disease.
23. Beauty Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Homemade Sunscreen
Combine 1 cup of aloe vera gel, 1 tsp. of vitamin E oil, 15 drops of lavender essential oil, & 1 tsp. of the gingko biloba extract in a plastic bowl and then keep it aside. Next, add half a cup each of grated beeswax and jojoba oil to another bowl. Then, place the bowl in a bigger container and boil it. Stir occasionally. When the beeswax is melted completely, put the bowl aside. Now, pour this mixture into a clean blender and cool it down. Turn this blender to the low setting and add the first mixture to it. Blend them for 15 minutes. Remember to stir the mixture in between. Finally, transfer it to a glass container for further use.
24. Beauty Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Prevent The Symptoms Of Aging
The antioxidants in the ginkgo biloba extract help to give you a tight and healthy skin, which slows down the appearance of wrinkles & other age spots. Follow these directions for this purpose:
Mix 1 tbsp. of the ginkgo biloba paste, half a teaspoon of turmeric, and 1 tsp. each of honey and ginseng juice to create a thick paste. Now, apply it evenly to your clean face & neck. Then, leave it on for 20 minutes and remove it with tepid water. Finally, pat the skin dry before applying your regular moisturizer. Use this process 2 times a week for desired results.
Read more: Natural Home Remedies For Wrinkles On Face
25. Beauty Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Reduce Skin Inflammation
Mix 1 tbsp. of the ginkgo biloba extract, 1 tsp. of ginger juice, & 1/2 tsp. of turmeric to create a paste. Now, apply this paste to the affected area. Next, let it dry for 10 minutes. Finally, wash it off and pat the skin dry. Follow this paste 2 times a day to relieve the painful inflammation.
26. Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba – Treat White Patches
Researchers confirmed that ginkgo biloba helps to treat white patches effectively thanks to its powerful immunomodulatory & antioxidant effects. A proper dose is 40 to 80 milligrams of the ginkgo biloba for 3 times per day. To know its suitability & proper doses for your case, consult a doctor first.
What Are The Side Effects Of Using Ginkgo Biloba?
Ginkgo leaf extract seems to be safe for people to take by mouth in an appropriate dose. It may cause minor side effects including stomach upset, dizziness, headache, constipation, allergic skin reactions, and forceful heartbeat.
There is a concern that the ginkgo leaf extract may increase the risk of thyroid and liver cancers. Nevertheless, this has occurred in animals that are given extremely high dosages of ginkgo.
Ginkgo pulp & fruit may cause some allergic skin reactions & irritation of mucous membranes. It may cause allergic reactions in people allergic to poison oak, poison ivy, poison sumac, cashew shell oil, or mango rind.
There is a concern that the ginkgo leaf extract may increase the risk of bleeding & bruising. Ginkgo makes the blood thin and reduces its capability of forming clots. A few people using ginkgo biloba extract have had the bleeding into their eyes and into their brain, & excessive bleeding following surgery.
Ginkgo leaf extract seems to be unsafe to use intravenously in a short term (about 10 days).
The crude ginkgo plant or roasted seed seems to be unsafe to take by mouth. Eating over 10 roasted seeds daily may cause difficulty breathing, seizures, weak pulse, shocks, and loss of consciousness. The fresh seed is more dangerous because they are poisonous and may cause seizures & death.
Special Precautions And Warnings:
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Ginkgo seems to be unsafe for pregnant women to take by mouth. It may cause early labor or excessive bleeding during delivery when used near this time. There is not enough information to know the safety of ginkgo during breastfeeding. Avoid using ginkgo when you are breastfeeding or pregnant.
Infants & children: Ginkgo leaf extract seems to be safe to take by mouth in a short time. Remember not let your children consume the ginkgo seeds.
Bleeding disorders: The ginkgo may worsen bleeding disorders. If you suffer from a bleeding disorder, avoid using ginkgo.
Diabetes: Ginkgo may interfere with managing diabetes. If you suffer from diabetes, check the blood sugar carefully.
Seizures: Ginkgo may cause seizures. So, avoid using ginkgo when you have ever suffered from a seizure.
Lack of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase: Ginkgo may cause severe anemia in those with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
Infertility: Ginkgo may interfere with getting pregnant. Consult your healthcare provider when you want to get pregnant.
Surgery: The ginkgo biloba may slow blood clotting. It may cause extra bleeding during & after a surgery. Stop using it at least two weeks before a surgery.
Where To Buy Ginkgo Biloba?
You may find ginkgo biloba in the form of tablets, capsules, dried leaves, tinctures, glycerites, and fluid extracts at many herbal health food stores and drug stores. When buying ginkgo biloba, you should choose standardized ginkgo biloba extracts that contain 24-32 % flavonoids and 6 -12 % terpenoids.
Here is the list of beauty & health benefits of ginkgo biloba, uses, and side effects that you should not skip. If you want to learn more the beauty and health benefits of other ingredients, please visit our Superfoods page.
References:
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/ginkgo-biloba
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ginkgo/background/hrb-20059541
http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:262125-1
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/ginkgo/ataglance.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11140327
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