Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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 GINKGO
Botanical Name
Ginkgo biloba
Family
Ginkgoaceae (Ginkgo Family) Etymology
The genus name, ginkgo, derives from the Japanese ginkyo, meaning "silver apricot." The species name, biloba, derives from the Latin bis, "double," and loba, "lobes," in reference to the two-lobed leaves. |
Ben-Erik van Wyk
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 Ginkgo biloba ginkgo • maidenhair tree
Ginkgo fruits (female cones)
Ginkgo nuts
Description A large, deciduous tree (up to 35 m) with male and female cones borne on separate trees. The distinctive leaves are fan-shaped, bilobed and have parallel veins. Female cones have a fleshy outer layer that ferments and gives off an unpleasant odour (like rancid butter) but the egg-shaped seed, surrounded by a white, bony layer, is edible and much sought after. They are known as ginkgo nuts or white nuts (// zi in Chinese).
Origin & history Indigenous to eastern China. |
Dianne Onstad
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 Ginkgo Nut
(Ginkgo biloba)
Because of its unusual leaf shape, the ancient Chinese called the ginkgo tree Ya-chio, meaning "duck's foot," a name that got anglicized to ginkgo. The term biloba means "bi-lobed."
General Information
The celebrated ginkgo tree is a "living fossil" of the distant past, the only surviving member of the Ginkgoaceae, a tree family dominant in the vegetation of the northern hemisphere 125 million years ago, when dinosaurs were still roaming the earth. |
Bill Sardi
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 Lab dish studies shows ginkgo {inhibits cancer cell growth. [Fundamental Clinical Pharmacology 17: 405-17, 2003] ginkgo may inhibit tumor growth by gene switching. [Cellular Molecular Biology 48: 655-62, 2002] ginkgo biloba may also be helpful in preventing the toxic cardiac side effects of certain chemotherapy drugs (Adriamycin). [Research Communications Molecular Pathology Pharmacology 106: 181-92, 1999]
The phytoestrogens
Estrogen is recognized as a promoter of breast cancer. |
Peter J. Whitehouse and Daniel George
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 There is some evidence that ginkgo may have a positive effect on cognition and memory by promoting blood flow to the brain, but it is not proven or approved by the FDA. The mechanism of action of ginkgo is uncertain but it is thought by some to promote blood flow. As with many herbals, it difficult to know the composition of the substances that you're buying. Consumer Reports, for example, has identified that there is wide variability in the amount of active ingredients in various ginkgo products sold over-the-counter. |
Bottom Line Health
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| Like garlic, ginkgo should not be taken with aspirin or a prescription blood thinner such as warfarin. The herb was previously believed to increase the effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressants, such as phenelzine (Nardil), but this has been refuted.
Typical dose: 120 mg daily. Nearly all positive ginkgo trials have used one of three formulations that are produced in Germany and sold in health-food stores in the US under the brand names Ginkoba by Pharmaton Natural Health Products.. .Ginkgold by Nature's Way.. .and Gin-kai by Abkit Inc. |
Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D.
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 A 1999 review of clinical studies of ginkgo concluded that "overall, the results of these trials are favorable to ginkgo biloba as a treatment for tinnitus, but a firm conclusion about efficacy is not possible . .. the body of evidence is small."816
Since then, there have been two studies that have not found ginkgo to be any better than placebo for relieving symptoms of tinnitus.817,818 At this time it would be fair to say that the evidence is mixed at best and probably not very promising. On the other hand, ginkgo does seem to improve circulation and may be worth a try. |
Peter J. Whitehouse and Daniel George
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| The mechanism of action of ginkgo is uncertain but it is thought by some to promote blood flow. As with many herbals, it difficult to know the composition of the substances that you're buying. Consumer Reports, for example, has identified that there is wide variability in the amount of active ingredients in various ginkgo products sold over-the-counter. Two companies in Europe developed a standardized variant of ginkgo that has been used in many therapeutic trials. |
Bottom Line Health
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| Scientific evidence: An overwhelming majority of ginkgo trials have shown positive results. At least 33 randomized, controlled trials have shown that this herb enhances mental functioning or slows cognitive deterioration in older patients who have dementia. In addition, 13 other controlled studies have shown that ginkgo boosts memory and cognitive performance in healthy adults.
Potential side effects: Stomach upset, headache, rash and/or dizziness. Like garlic, ginkgo should not be taken with aspirin or a prescription blood thinner such as warfarin. |
Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D.
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| From the more than 100 clinical trials that have been published, there seems to be a reasonable amount of data suggesting that standardized ginkgo extracts (Ginkgold, Ginkoba, and Ginkai) improve circulation throughout the body, in general, and may modestly improve symptoms of dementia.815 A 1999 review of clinical studies of ginkgo concluded that "overall, the results of these trials are favorable to ginkgo biloba as a treatment for tinnitus, but a firm conclusion about efficacy is not possible . .. the body of evidence is small. |
J. Douglas Bremner
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 A recent large controlled trial using a large battery of tests found no effect of ginkgo on memory function in normal individuals.23 ginkgo can have serious side effects, including coma, bleeding, and seizures. It should not be used with medications that are used to decrease blood clotting, like warfarin. Minor but more common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and dizziness.
THE BOTTOM LINE
I don't think any of the medications currently available, including vitamins and supplements, are worth giving to anyone affected by Alzheimer's or other types of dementia. |
Ann M. Coulston and Carol J. Boushey
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 Several herbal supplements, such as those containing ginkgo biloba and bilberry, have been promoted to benefit the health of the retina. However, there are no scientific studies that support their benefit except one very small (20 persons) study of ginkgo biloba in patients with AMD, in which improvement in visual acuity was indicated in a preliminary report (recently reviewed [233]).
IV. DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
A. Overview
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a disease among people with diabetes that is considered to be the result of damage to the microvasculature of the retina. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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 Enhancing pelvic and specifically genital circulation is also a consideration for which one might consider ginkgo. ginkgo was also discussed earlier in the botanicals section as an aid to improve sexual function in women taking antidepressants.78)
Several studies show the ability of ginseng to battle fatigue and stress. One study of nurses who took ginseng showed improved scores in job competence, mood, and mental and physical performance. |
Ben-Erik van Wyk
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| Bl, B2, C, Nic
Garcinia multiflora; Clusiaceae; (Guttiferae); Cay gioc, Bira tai
TrAs fruits
Garcinia pedunculata; Clusiaceae; (Guttiferae); tikul
TrAs fruits
Gigantochloa apus; Poaceae
TrAs shoots
Gigantochloa ligulata; Poaceae
TrAs shoots
Ginkgo biloba; Ginkgoaceae: ginkgo, maidenhair tree, white nuts
Chin seeds
Glechoma hederacea; Lamiaceae; ground ivy, alehoof
Eu leaves
27
6.11
-
1.51
C
Glycine max: Fabaceae: soybean, soya
Chin seeds
327
37.6
18.3
4. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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| Enhancing pelvic and specifically genital circulation is also a consideration for which one might consider ginkgo. ginkgo was also discussed earlier in the botanicals section as an aid to improve sexual function in women taking antidepressants.78)
Several studies show the ability of ginseng to battle fatigue and stress. One study of nurses who took ginseng showed improved scores in job competence, mood, and mental and physical performance. |
Jack Challem
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 The dosages were either 60 mg of ginkgo extract and 100 mg of a standardized ginseng extract twice daily, 120 mg of ginkgo and 200 mg of ginseng in one daily dose, or placebos. The researchers reported in the journal Psychopharmacology that the people taking the herbs "were remembering more information than those taking placebo."
Dosage: Take 100 to 200 mg of a standardized ginseng extract daily. Rhodiola
Principal use: For chronic stress. |
Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D.
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 Ginkgo has also been demonstrated to improve concentration and memory deficits as a result of peripheral arterial occlusive disease.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
The drug is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to ginkgo biloba preparations.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
General: Health risks or side effects following the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. Mild gastrointestinal complaints could occur as side effects. Allergic skin reactions have been observed on extremely rare occasions. |
Paula Begoun and Bryan Barron
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 Green Tea & ginkgo Facial Toner, for Normal Skin ($9.28 for 8 ounces) follows the pattern set by all of the toners in this line: it's an alcohol and witch hazel base coupled with several irritating plant extracts. The anti-irritant plant extracts in this product don't have a flower's chance in a blizzard of helping skin.
© Green Tea & ginkgo Moisturizer SPF 15, for Normal Skin ($16.28 for 4 ounces) lists padimate-o (PABA) as its active ingredient, which is too irritating for skin and leaves it vulnerable to UVA damage. |
Joseph Glenmullen, M.D.
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 Alan Cohen and Barbara Bartlik describe the use of ginkgo biloba to treat drug-induced sexual dysfunction.58 ginkgo biloba is an extract derived from the leaves of the Chinese ginkgo tree. Having been used for centuries in Chinese herbal medicine, ginkgo biloba has become popular in this country as a memory-enhancing agent. In their article in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, Cohen and Bartlik report that ginkgo biloba improved libido, erectile functioning, and the ability to orgasm in patients with antidepres-sant-induced sexual dysfunction. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| However, large amounts or concentrations have been reported to cause gastrointestinal disturbance, irritability, restlessness, and headache. ginkgo leaf can negatively affect the blood's ability to clot, so avoid ginkgo for at least a week before surgery; in cases of hemophilia; or in concurrence with anticoagulant drugs such as Coumadin, aspirin, or monoamine-oxidase inhibitors.
Fruit from the female trees may cause contact dermatitis or mouth lesions. Do not eat the pulp of the fruit. (It smells like dog poop, so who would want to? |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 On the herbal front, there is of course ginkgo, and ginkgo does, in fact, improve brain function. However, it shouldn't be relied on as the only way to boost brain function. There are far greater benefits from physical exercise and breathing therapy and other nutritional supplements. Ginkgo's great, but don't use it alone, use it in conjunction with other nutritional elements to boost your brain function.
Now, let's move on to perhaps the most important thing you can do to boost brain function and appear younger: engage in brain exercise and avoid those activities that dumb you down. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| Ginkgo leaf can negatively affect the blood's ability to clot, so avoid ginkgo for at least a week before surgery; in cases of hemophilia; or in concurrence with anticoagulant drugs such as Coumadin, aspirin, or monoamine-oxidase inhibitors.
Fruit from the female trees may cause contact dermatitis or mouth lesions. Do not eat the pulp of the fruit. (It smells like dog poop, so who would want to?) Even standing over roasting seeds can cause eye irritation and dermatitis.
Avoid long-term use of the seed, and do not take more than ten seeds at a time. |
Jack Challem
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| The dosages were either 60 mg of ginkgo extract and 100 mg of a standardized ginseng extract twice daily, 120 mg of ginkgo and 200 mg of ginseng in one daily dose, or placebos. The researchers reported in the journal Psychopharmacology that the people taking the herbs "were remembering more information than those taking placebo."
Dosage: Take 100 to 200 mg of a standardized ginseng extract daily. Rhodiola
Principal use: For chronic stress. |
| Researchers at Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, found that ginkgo extracts improved various thinking processes in patients with multiple sclerosis. The subjects experienced an improvement in attention, planning, and decision making. All of the patients had previously sustained cognitive impairments as part of their multiple sclerosis.
Dosage: Take 240 to 360 mg of standardized ginkgo extract daily. Divide the amounts, and take them two or three times daily.
Ginseng
Principal use: For memory and adapting to stress. |
| In an animal study, researchers found that ginkgo extracts boosted the activity of ten essential genes in brain cells by up to sixteen times. One of the genes influenced the hippocampus, the brain's center of learning and memory. The other nine genes affected the cerebral cortex, which controls memory, speech, logical and emotional responses, and voluntary physical movements. Another gene influenced the activity of tyrosine, the amino acid precursor to norepinephrine and dopamine. In a British study, researchers gave college students either 240 or 360 mg of ginkgo extracts or placebos. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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| Although ginkgo extract has not been specifically studied in menopausal women with memory or cognition problems, it has been used to improve memory.
Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) for the treatment of memory loss, depression, and disorientation associated with cerebrovascular insufficiency in geriatric patients.73-75 Two studies have shown gingko to be effective for patients with mild to moderate primary dementia of the Alzheimer's type or multi-infarct dementia. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| Topically, ginkgo seed can be used as a poultice to rid the body of scabies, ringworm, and sores.
Edible Uses
The inner seeds are edible if boiled or roasted. The leaves are not generally considered edible, aside from as tea.
Other Uses
Ginkgo leaves can be placed in books to prevent insects from eating the pages. |
Paula Begoun and Bryan Barron
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| AUBREY ORGANICS NORMAL SKIN 3
© Green Tea & ginkgo Facial Cleansing Lotion, for Normal Skin ($15-48for 8 ounces) is almost identical to the Seaware with Rosa Mosqueta Facial Cleansing Cream, for Dry Skin, above, only this one is in lotion form. The same concerns apply.
© Green Tea & ginkgo Facial Toner, for Normal Skin ($9.28 for 8 ounces) follows the pattern set by all of the toners in this line: it's an alcohol and witch hazel base coupled with several irritating plant extracts. The anti-irritant plant extracts in this product don't have a flower's chance in a blizzard of helping skin. |
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