Health Benefits Of "Ginkgo" Herbal Nutrition Supplements
Health Benefits Of “Ginkgo" Herbal Nutrition Supplements |
| Genus: Ginkgo Species: G. biloba Also known as: Maidenhair tree Parts used: Leaves |
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| Ginkgo Leaves (Ginkgo biloba) |
Ginkgo significantly increases blood flow to the brain and may even speed recovery from stroke. As blood flow to the brain improves, so do memory and mental functioning. As people grow older, blood flow to the brain can decrease. This means less food and oxygen for brain cells. If blood flow becomes blocked the result is a stroke. Ginkgo has beneficial effects on the circulatory system, making it a stimulant.
Ginkgo also improves blood flow to the heart muscle and it may help prevent heart attacks by reducing the risk of the internal blood clots that trigger them.
When cholesterol deposits narrow the arteries in the legs, the result is intermittent “claudication” - pain, cramping, and weakness, particularly in the calves. Ginkgo may improve blood flow through the legs. A study showed it to significantly produce greater pain relief than standard treatment. One study showed it helps relieve impotence caused by narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the penis.
Ginkgo has shown to have enormous healing potential, particularly in conditions associated with aging; such as, memory loss, early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, depression, poor circulation to the extremities, impotence, recovery from stroke, ringing in the ears, early stages of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The Chinese have used it for centuries to build vitality and alertness. Ginkgo also has beneficial effects on the nervous system, making it a nervine.
Medical excitement over ginkgo comes primarily from the herbs ability to interfere with the action of a substance the body produces called “platelet activation factor” (PAF). PAF plays a key role in blood clotting, however, its inhibiting action may cause problems for those with clotting disorders. PAF is involved in a large number of biological processes; asthma attacks, organ graft rejections, arterial blood flow, and the internal blood clots involved in heart attacks and some strokes. PAF causes the kind of bronchial constrictions typical in asthma. Ginkgo interferes with PAF and helps prevent bronchial constriction, lending to its traditional use in treating asthma and other respiratory complaints.
Even if you have your own ginkgo tree, you can not just brew up some tea and expect to take advantage of the herbs healing benefits. It takes a lot of ginkgo leaves to make medicine. This is one instance where commercial preparations are preferable.
As with any herbal supplement, ginkgo herbal supplements should only be used in amounts typically recommended for medicinal purposes and you should always consult with a health professional first, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medications.
SUGGESTIONS:
Other herbs containing stimulant actions include angelica, astragalus, basil, camphor, cinnamon, dandelion, dong quai, fennel, ginseng, gotu kola, hawthorn, peppermint, rosemary, tea, and thyme.
