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More Information:
Other
Common Names
Ginkgo
Page
Number In Radiant Health
188
Pharmaceutical
Latin
Folium Ginkgo
Pinyin
Yin Xin Ye (leaf) and Yin Xin Huang Tong (Ginkgo biloba
glycoside)
Treasures
Qi
Treasure
Rating
****
Atmospheric
Energy
Primary
Functions
To promote longevity, antioxidant, free radical
scavenger
Qualities
Ginkgo
biloba is believed to be the oldest living species of
tree, dating back nearly 200 million years. The tree
itself is capable of a very long life, and individual
trees have been reported to have lived over 1000 years.
Ginkgo seed (sometimes called Ginkgo nut) has long been
used in Chinese herbalism to clear the lungs of phlegm.
It is mildly toxic, but is sometimes used in Chinese
cooking in small quantities. However, the leaf has not
been a standard herb in Chinese herbalism until the past
decade. But with the advent and popularization of
antioxidant theory in recent years, Ginkgo has rapidly
become one of the most widely used health supplements in
the world. It first gained wide acceptance in Japan and
Germany, and has since become very poplar in America,
Europe, Australia, and in many other countries. Ginkgo
is now one of the most thoroughly studied herbs in the
world. European and Japanese researchers took special
interest in Ginkgo's antioxidant properties and have
studied its therapeutic activity quite thoroughly.
Ginkgo biloba contains flavone-glycosides, including
quercetin and proanthocyanidins, which are extremely
potent and effective antioxidants. In fact, it is the
standardized, high potency extract of Ginkgo that is
most commonly sold in the marketplace. Extracts
standardized to 24% flavone-glycosides are very common
at the present time, although there are more highly
purified products available with as much as 40%
flavone-glycosides present. These
ginkgoflavoneglycosides have powerful antioxidant and
free radical scavenging capability. They are considered
to be anti-aging agents.
Another component of Ginkgo biloba is the terpene
fraction, which consists of ginkgolides and bilobalides.
These components have a powerful anti-inflammatory
effect. They also reduce the stickiness of the blood by
inhibiting the Platelet Activating Factor, which causes
platelets to stick together, reducing the flow of blood
circulation.
Ginkgo biloba has gained incredible acceptance as a mind
tonic. Since it has been determined that Ginkgo
increases blood circulation in the brain, it has been
accepted as a treatment for memory loss and poor
concentration. It is even being used for more serious
problems such as cerebral vascular insufficiency,
senility, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, vertigo,
tinnitus, dizziness, and peripheral vascular problems
including numbness, impotence and Raynaud's syndrome. It
is being used clinically for hemorrhoids, inflammation,
migraines, allergies and asthma.
Primary
Combinations
Ginkgo leaf is not a traditional tonic herb and therefor
does not have traditional combinations. It is primarily
taken alone or in combination with other antioxidants
and nutrients. Combine with:
1. Gynostemma, Green tea and Astragalus to accentuate
its antioxidant activity.
Varieties
and Grading
Different producers of standardized Ginkgo biloba
extracts use different proprietary technologies to
produce their products. Read the literature to determine
which is the best. Generally, ones that have proof that
they do not use chemical agents other than water and
alcohol to extract the product are the safest. Some
brands have been found to have large amounts of chemical
residues present. European brands have been the biggest
culprits in this regard. Chinese and Japanese extractors
tend to use just water and alcohol. And, you might as
well know that there are brands that have higher
percentages of the active components---as high as 40%
ginkgoflavoneglycosides. Shop around.
Contraindications
Ginkgo is reported to be non-toxic.
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