This herb is a wonderful brain tonic and has been used as a medicinal plant by the Chinese for over 4000 years.

 Introduction:

Ginkgo biloba is an extract from the leaves of the Maidenhair tree, also called as the Ginkgo tree.  It is considered to be the oldest living tree and has been used medicinally by the Chinese.

This tree is considered by many to be a ‘LIVING FOSSIL’ because it has survived for more than 200 million years, including the ice age.  This plant has numerous compounds that confer it extra-ordinary resistance from viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi, insects etc.

In 1992, the Lancet published a critical review of the clinical trials done on the dried leaves of Ginkgo biloba leaves and found that this plant had indeed many wonderful medicinal properties. The medicinal parts of the plant are its fan shaped bilobate leaves, which must be collected when the leaves are green during summer.

The Pharmacological Properties:

It contains characteristic organic chemicals such as; flavonoids called as Ginkgo-flavonol glycosides, terpene lactones such as ginkogolides A, B, C, & J and bilobalide.  All these complex compounds confer medicinal properties to prevent brain hemorrhages, increases the neuronal function of the brain and improves the peripheral blood circulation.  The flavonoids also act like free radical scavengers, which prevent Coronary arterial blockages and improve the cerebral blood flow and prevent atherosclerotic diseases.

Medicinal Uses:

Ginkgo biloba extracts improve the blood flow to the brain and prevent strokes, loss of memory and have an anti-platelet activity that prevents the clotting of the blood and reduces the chances of strokes and Heart attacks.

Ginkgo biloba helps in improving the memory, concentration difficulties, absentmindedness, confusion, lack of mood, fatigue, depression, dizziness, buzzing sounds in the ear, in Alzheimer’s disease, in all senile dementias and prevents strokes.

Ginkgo biloba has been found to be effective in leg cramps and in preventing gangrene of the foot.

Other uses have been in preventing the progression of Glaucoma of the eyes.

Conclusion:

Gingko biloba is another herbal medicine, which has found a place in mainstream medicine for old age related diseases. Several companies market this product in India, but the product is expensive.