With thanks to Laila Lewis, Lorna McCarron and Sam Lewis
Latin Name: Common name: Maidenhair Tree
Family: Ginkgoacaea
Part used: Leaf.
Energetics: Cool, bitter, sweet, neutral
Iris: Hematogenic (circulatory support)
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.
Positive interactions:
- Adriamycin – reduces the hyperlipidaemia and proteinuria associated with Adriamycin induced nephropathy
- Antidepressant drugs – May reduce sexual dysfunction and improve sleep continuity.
- Bleomycin – ginkgo reduces oxidative stress and may improve tolerance.
- Cholinergic drugs – may increase drug activity.
- Cisplatin – using antioxidant activity, may reduce nephrotoxicity.
- Clozapine – may enhance effects in refractory schizophrenic patients.
- Doxorubicin – may prevent cardiotoxicity.
- Haloperidol – enhances effect.
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
- Known sensitivity to gingko leaf preparations
- Cerebral haemorrhage risk
- Epilepsy
- Discontinue 2 weeks prior to surgery
- Hypersensitivity to active ingredients.
Caution: Pregnancy, lactation.
ACTIONS
- Antioxidant
- PAF (platelet activating factor) inhibitor (anti-platelet)
- Venotonic
- Circulatory stimulant
- Cerebro-protector
- Vasodilator
- Immunostimulant
- Relaxant
- Digestive bitter
- Uterine stimulant
- Anti-inflammatory.
Main Constituents
- Bilobalides (sesquiterpenes)
- Ginkgo flavonoid glycosides
- Ginkgolides (diterpene)
- Terpene lactones
- Bioflavonoids alkylphenols (ginkgolic acids)
- The major flavonoids are primarily derived from the flavonol rutin and include isorhamnetin, quercetin, kaempferol, and proanthocyanidins
- The primary terpenoid lactones are ginkgolides A, B, C, M, and J, and bilobalide.
Main Uses
Nervous System: Cerebral insufficiency (e.g. poor memory and concentration, depression, anxiety, confusion, fatigue), Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, benign breast disease, Alopecia, Altitude sickness, Parkinson's disease, MS, Schizophrenia, Altitude sickness
Respiratory System: Asthma
Reproductive System: Congestive dysmenorrhea, Sexual dysfunction, Breast tenderness
Circulatory System: Peripheral vascular diseases (IC, Raynaud’s, vertigo, hearing disorders, tinnitus, dizziness, macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinopathy), Recovery after stroke
More About Gingko Biloba
“Significant improvement in mental states, emotional liability, memory and tendency to tire easily have been reported…” –Rudolf Weiss, 1985
Dating back at least 200 million years, Ginkgo has likely been extinct in the wild for centuries, but survived in Far Eastern temple gardens.
This deciduous denier, with separate male and female plants, was introduced into Europe in 1730. It’s potent cardiovascular system actions have made this herb popular in western herbal medicine.
Protection for nerves and cells of the body.
Leaves look similar to the two lobes of the brain and two lobes of the lung.
This herb is indicted for both of these organs (AntiPAF in Asthma/allergies).
References
Cognitive Impairment
Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
EGb761 at 240 mg/day is able to stabilize or slow decline in cognition, function, behavior, and global change at 22-26 weeks in cognitive impairment and dementia, especially for patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25114079/
Vascular Protection
Ginkgo biloba Extract in Vascular Protection: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Applications
GBE, a promising therapeutic agent for cardiovascular and ischaemic diseases, exerts vascular- protection function by a comprehensive mechanisms.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28707602/
The effects of Ginkgo biloba on metabolic syndrome: A review
This review indicated that G. biloba might be efficient in the improvement of MetS.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32097990/
- Essential Herb Safety (Mills and Bone, 2005); Braun and Cohen (2010); Medical Herbalism (Hoffman, D, 2003).
https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearc h.com/databases/food,-herbs
https://www.verywellhealth.com/natural-remedies-for-tinnitus-89317
https://materiamedicaresource.wordpress.com/?s=ginkgo
https://www.verywellhealth.com/natural-remedies-for-peripheral-artery-disease-88856