Guest guest Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgoaceae JoAnn Guest Nov 04, 2004 20:05 PST ===================================================================== Ginkgo LATIN NAME: Ginkgo biloba FAMILY NAME: Ginkgoaceae I started taking ginkgo only in the last year, after I read a study in The Journal of the American Medical Association that acknowledged that ginkgo might help slow the effects of old age on the brain, which they called senile dementia. Senile dementia is a blanket term for getting addled in your old age, and it includes Alzheimer's disease. Both my mother and her mother were sharp into their late nineties, but who knows what genes I may have inherited from my father's side--he died at age 65, too young for me to find out how he would have aged. I don't know nearly as much about my father's side of the family as my mother's. They were all much shorter lived. So I'm taking ginkgo as a preventive, not for anything chronic. One doesn't notice any changes when one prevents something, and so far, I'd say the ginkgo is doing the job. One of the ways it works is by improving circulation, both in the brain and in the body's extremities. Old folks often have poor circulation in their hands and feet, and ginkgo has been shown to help both of those. It also improves circulation in the sexual organs, another body extremity. What Ginkgo Is and What It Can Do The ginkgo tree is a living fossil. The species that lines city sidewalks today is virtually the same tree that shaded dinosaurs in the Jurassic period. Ginkgo biloba is so old that it once grew widely throughout the northern hemisphere at a time when lands borderingthe Arctic Ocean were warm and balmy. DR. DUKE'S NOTES Sales of ginkgo extract in Europe have totaled as much as $500 million per year. All (Alone) in the Family In the remote past, there were many species of ginkgo, but now Ginkgo biloba is an only child. It has the unique distinction of being the only species in the only genus in the only family in a single order of trees that have swimming sperm--that is, sperm that swim to the egg in the fertilization process. (It's true that some primitive plants have swimming sperm. Plants are a lot more like us than we think.) Young ginkgoes have a narrow pyramid shape, but mature ginkgo trees can be wide and rounded and can reach more than 100 feet tall. Usually only male trees are planted, because the fruit of female trees smells like rancid butter due to the presence of butyric acid. Ginkgo leaves are two to three inches across, stiff, flat, and fan-shaped, with a central indentation. (The species name, biloba is Latin for " bi-lobed. " ) Another name for the ginkgo is maidenhair tree, because its leaves are somewhat suggestive of the leaves of the maidenhair fern, which also have the same, unusual Y-shaped leaf veins. The climate changes of the Ice Age put an end to the ginkgo in Europe. Elsewhere, it is said to have been all but extinct except for the trees carefully tended around monasteries and temples in China and Japan. Ginkgoes can live for more than 1,000 years and have a venerated role in traditional Asian medicine. Almost 5,000 years ago, the Chinese used ginkgo leaves to prevent memory loss due to age, according to Georges Halpern, M.D., Ph.D., in his book Ginkgo, A Practical Guide. The Chinese also burned the leaves and inhaled the smoke to treat respiratory ailments, but mostly they valued ginkgo's seeds and fruit. WHAT NEW RESEARCH TELLS US Recent research and experience has shown us some exciting new possibilities for ginkgo: Sickle cell anemia. Medical herbalist Alan Keith Tillotson and his wife, Naixin Hu Tillotson, a Chinese medicine specialist, run the Chrysalis Natural Medicine Clinic in Wilmington, Delaware. They report four startling successes with sickle cell anemia, an inherited blood disease for which medical doctors have no cure. Their herbal formula includes ginkgo plus prickly ash bark (Zanthoxylum). Radiation sickness. After the nuclear accident in 1986 at Chernobyl in the Ukraine, emergency crews came from all parts of the former Soviet Union to shut down the damaged reactor. Afterward, most of these workers had increased levels of free radicals in their blood, putting them at risk for chromosome damage and cancer. A French study published in 1995 reported that when these workers took 40 milligrams of ginkgo extract three times a day for eight weeks, their levels of free radicals had fallen to normal and were even maintained for seven months without further treatment. Cellulite. Recently, ginkgo extracts have been showing up in cellulite remedies, thanks to their ability to reduce swelling and improve blood flow through the capillaries. Yes, those unique ginkgo constituents that can help a body function better can make it look better, too. One research study found that ginkgo was just as effective at reducing swelling due to irritation as indomethacin, a generic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Other researchers showed that ginkgo's ability to increase blood flow in the capillaries, thus increasing skin temperature, can improve the condition and appearance of weak, sagging skin due to aging, as well as the appearance of dimpled skin, or cellulite. Keeping Mentally Fit In the West, we've only started to seriously look at ginkgo in the past few decades, and our modern applications of ginkgo are often different from what the Chinese used it for. Most of the recent medical research has been done in Germany on highly concentrated ginkgo leaf extracts used to improve peripheral circulation and to thin the blood. There's good European research showing that by helping to improve blood flow to the brain, ginkgo counteracts some consequences of aging. Some studies, including one that I read in a 1997 JAMA, suggest that ginkgo helps people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Patients seem to become more alert and sociable, think more clearly, feel better, and remember more. In Europe, a concentrated extract of the leaves is the top-selling pharmaceutical and is taken regularly by many older people to help keep themselves mentally fit. FROM MY SCIENCE NOTEBOOK Ginkgo contains two main categories of active components--flavonoids and terpenes. Flavonoids can be very beneficial, because they are antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals and protect the body from their ravages. Free radicals are those trouble-causing, unbalanced molecular pieces or atoms that break up or bind with any molecules they come in contact with wherever they are in the body. Free radicals are believed to be involved with inflammation, degenerative diseases such as cancer and heart and circulatory diseases, and the aging process. Moreover, cerebral oxidative damage by free radicals can impair memory. Flavonoids also maintain arachidonic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid that is needed for healthy cells. In addition, flavonoids are the components of ginkgo that improve circulation, reduce the tendency of blood platelets to stick together, protect blood vessels, and strengthen capillary walls. Ginkgo's terpenes are in the form of substances called bilobalides and ginkolides, rare substances that occur only in ginkgo. Like ginkgo's flavonoids, many of its terpenes are antioxidants, too. But terpenes also improve circulation and metabolism, protect the body against unwanted blood clots, and protect nerve cells from damage. The terpenes have been credited with improving memory and mental function, and can help during recovery from a stroke. As summarized by Commission E, Germany's government-appointed panel of physicians, pharmacologists, and other experts who review herbal medicines for safety and effectiveness, ginkgo: * Increases the body's tolerance to lack of oxygen, especially in brain tissue * Inhibits swelling (edema) in the brain caused by trauma or toxins * Reduces swelling and lesions in the retina * Inhibits age-related decline of choline receptors and promotes choline uptake in the brain * Improves memory and learning capacity * Helps with balance * Improves blood flow, especially in the capillaries * Scavenges free radicals * Inhibits the platelet activating factor, a mediator of chemical processes within the body, including platelet aggregation, blood clotting, and allergic reactions * Protects the nerves How Ginkgo Can Help Ginkgo's beneficial effects can be broken down into three categories: It protects cell health, cleans up free radicals, and keeps blood vessels strong. These actions can be very useful in treating and preventing a number of diseases and conditions. Here are a few of ginkgo's most notably proven applications. Aging (memory problems, poor circulation, depression, etc.). Aging is a natural part of life--in time, our bodies slow down and weaken, and so do our brains. However, many hazards of old age--including poor memory, confusion, depression, and minor physical complaints such as dizziness--are not inevitable and can be slowed, some even reversed. Just as exercise, a balanced diet rich in phytochemicals, and sensible habits can keep our bodies in good condition for as long as we inhabit them, such practices can keep our brains going strong, too. Ginkgo is a premier example of a substance that can keep your brain sharp by stimulating blood flow and brain function. Ginkgo contains unique terpene lactones, substances that help increase circulation to the brain and other parts of the body. These substances can also help protect nerve cells. Remember that cerebral circulation is reduced in older people, and that's where ginkgo also helps by allowing more blood, and therefore more oxygen and glucose (blood sugar), to reach the brain's cells. Hundreds of European studies have confirmed the use of standardized ginkgo leaf extract for a wide variety of conditions associated with aging, including memory loss and poor circulation. At the University of Vienna, researchers tested the effects of ginkgo on 48 patients between 51 and 79 years old with age-associated memory impairment. Results, published in Germany, showed that after 57 days, those taking theginkgo extract experienced a slight improvement. Another common condition of aging is depression. One European study recruited 40 depressed elderly people with cerebral blood flow problems who had not improved by taking pharmaceutical antidepressants. After taking 80 milligrams of ginkgo extract three times a day, both their depression and mental faculties had improved significantly. HERB LORE AND MORE The Chinese revere three legendary emperors who gave them wisdom and knowledge 5,000 years ago. One, the Emperor Shen Nung, is considered to be the first Chinese herbalist and is author of an ancient medical text, Pen T'sao Ching. In it, ginkgo leaves are said to help the elderly preserve their memory, and to aid breathing problems. Chinese herbalists used ginkgo seeds to counteract diseases such as asthma or chronic diarrhea. Even today, roasted ginkgo seeds are served at celebrations in Japan and China because they are thought to aid digestion and prevent drunkenness. The seeds do actually contain two compounds shown to speed up the metabolism of alcohol, which has inspired my couplet: They say that you won't get real stinko If you nibble the nuts of the ginkgo. Allergies. Dust, pollen, foods, pets, and plants--allergies to certain substances can be irritating (sneezing and itchy eyes) or life threatening (anaphylactic shock). When the body is exposed to allergens, cells release histamine. This causes blood vessels to swell, fluids to leak into tissues, and muscles to spasm. As a result, we experience the unpleasant symptoms associated with allergies, such as red, itchy, or swollen skin, sneezing and congested airways, or red, irritated eyes. Ginkgo extract contains several unique compounds to counteract allergies, including seven antihistamines and a dozen anti-inflammatories. Another substance released in an allergic reaction is called the platelet activating factor (PAF), which causes spasms of the bronchial muscles. Ginkgo's ginkgolides counteract PAF, thus lessening allergic reactions. Altitude sickness. Ginkgo can prevent headaches by helping the lungs and brain use oxygen more efficiently--important when you are 10,000 feet above sea level, where oxygen levels are low. Studies have shown that standardized extracts of ginkgo leaves increase the flexibility of blood vessels in the brain, which improves circulation. Ginkgo also thins the blood, which tends to thicken at high altitudes. Oxygen-rich blood can help reduce the headaches, dizziness, and confusion that often accompany altitude sickness. Brigitte Mars, a member of the American Herbalists Guild who teaches at the Rocky Mountain School of Botanical Medicine, in Boulder, Colorado, suggests starting to take ginkgo capsules several days before a trip to high elevations; the usual dose is 120 milligrams per day. Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of something doctors generally refer to as senile dementia. Alzheimer's affects about 4 million Americans. About 10 percent of people over age 65 can expect to suffer from the mental deterioration associated with the disease. If you live beyond age 85, your chances are one in two that you'll be diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The symptoms of Alzheimer's are due to progressive deterioration of brain cells and vary from person to person. Most often, memory loss is the first sign, followed by disorientation and an inability to concentrate, calculate, or communicate. Final stages include hallucinations, delusions, and loss of control. Ginkgo's potential for lessening the effects of Alzheimer's disease is found in its antioxidant properties. Ginkgo has a number of substances that work together to scavenge for free radicals, which are linked to the excessive oxidation and cell damage associated with Alzheimer's disease. Ginkgo has recently been approved in Germany for the treatment of dementia, and there are many European studies to support this. In such studies, ginkgo extract improved the attention and memory of patients with senile or presenile dementia of the Alzheimer's type. In 1998, Barry S. Oken, M.D., reviewed 50 studies in which Alzheimer's patients took ginkgo, and he concluded that ginkgo is almost as good at improving cognitive functions like alertness, attention, and memory as the synthetics approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). DR. DUKE'S NOTES In 1999, the American Chemical Society awarded its Cope Award to E. J. Corey for the first synthesis of ginkgolides. It's interesting to see the great emphasis chemists put on trying to synthesize what nature has been kind enough to provide for free, in abundance, and in synergy with many more active compounds. Asthma. Bronchial asthma is a chronic respiratory illness. When asthma attacks, sensitive bronchial tubes constrict, making breathing difficult. The body also produces excess mucus, making it even harder to breathe. Ginkgo contains numerous natural antihistamine compounds, which can help block the effects of histamine, a chemical that is released during an allergic reaction. Another substance released is the platelet activating factor, a protein in the blood that plays a role in triggering bronchospasms. Ginkgo contains compounds called ginkgolides that inhibit PAF. Herbalists think ginkgo could be helpful by improving some types of allergies linked to asthma. Ginkgo's ginkgolides are antiallergens that can protect the bronchial tubes from substances that set off asthma attacks. Broken capillaries and varicose veins. Ginkgo contains good quantities of rutin and other substances that strengthen capillaries. My taking bilberry, ginkgo, and horse chestnut may be a triple whammy for those leaky capillaries. As a highly effective treatment for various blood vessel disorders, ginkgo can have a toniclike effect to keep varicose veins from getting worse. Eczema. People with eczema often have allergies that sensitize overreactive skin, causing redness and itching. Ginkgo can work inside the body to help decrease hypersensitivity to allergens. And when reactions are reduced, you get symptom relief. Impotence. Impotence, or erectile dysfunction, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection for sexual penetration or sexual satisfaction. Most men have experienced it at least once by the time they are age 40. Erections are the result of a complex combination of brain stimuli, blood vessel and nerve function, and hormonal actions. Anything that interferes with any of these factors can cause impotence. Psychological factors such as stress, or side effects from drugs, can be the culprit. (My unfortunate first time was at age 16: forest near Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina; no blanket, probable rattlesnakes. In this case, laughter by my partner, later to become my first wife, cured all.) However, if poor geriatric circulation contributes to a case of impotence, you could try ginkgo as a circulatory stimulant to boost the blood flow to the penis. Physicians have obtained very good results by prescribing 60 to 240 milligrams daily of a standardized ginkgo extract. In one nine-month study, 78 percent of men with impotence due to atherosclerotic clogging of the penile artery reported significant improvement without side effects. In another six-month study, half of the men being treated with ginkgo regained their erections. Intermittent claudication (lameness). Intermittent claudication is another name for the lameness or limping that accompanies or follows short walks in the aging. The usual cause is a blockage or narrowing of arteries in the legs due to atherosclerosis, the clogging up of arteries associated with high cholesterol and thickened blood. Patients of intermittent claudication find that they have to stop walking after a set distance because of pain in the calves. With its ability to improve circulation, ginkgo is the premier plant medicine for intermittent claudication. It improves blood flow through the legs just as it does through the heart and brain by opening (dilating) the arteries. Macular degeneration. Macular degeneration, a progressive, painless disorder, is the leading cause of legal blindness for the elderly of the United States. As eye cells break down, pigment and scar tissue accumulate in the center of the retina of the eye, causing a blind spot. Reading, driving, and even walking are impaired. Ginkgo's strength in improving vision is its ability to fight the damage done by free radicals in the sensitive tissues of the retina. Ginkgo can also improve blood flow in the eye, where the retina demands a steady supply of glucose and oxygen. In one six-month study, people who received 80 milligrams of a standardized ginkgo extract twice daily significantly improved their long-distance vision. Another study suggests that ginkgo extract may even reverse damage in the retina. With my bilberry, ginkgo, and daily carrot to munch on, once again I have a triple whammy to slow down the ravages of maculitis, which recently led my first cousin Tom to surgery. Migraines. Migraines are the Tyrannosaurus of headaches--there's almost no stopping them. Pain may be so severe that symptoms include nausea and vomiting. Migraines are vascular headaches--that is, they are associated with the supply of blood to the brain. Ginkgo can improve blood flow to the brain, help maintain vascular tone, and keep blood vessels from leaking inflammatory chemicals. In one study, ginkgo reduced headaches in 80 percent of the long-term migraine sufferers who took it. Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., is a family practice physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital, a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild, and a member of the Alternative Medicine Research Group at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque. She acknowledges that ginkgo provides some people with relief from migraines. Dr. Low Dog speculates that ginkgo's ability to improve cerebral circulation lessens initial vasoconstriction and consequent ischemia (blood deficiency) associated with migraines. Ginkgolides also act against the platelet activating factor, thus blocking inflammation and allergic responses. For whatever reason, ginkgo prevents migraines for some people. Donald Brown, N.D., naturopathic physician and co-author of The Natural Pharmacy, recommends ginkgo for migraines if his patients do not respond first to the herb feverfew. Raynaud's disease. This condition is similar to intermittent claudication, but it more often involves the hands, not the legs, and it is caused by poor blood flow brought on by cold temperatures and, sometimes, emotion. People suffering from Raynaud's frequently have frigid, stiff fingers, and it is more common among women than men. Because there are ample European studies showing that ginkgo improves blood circulation, European physicians frequently prescribe it for Raynaud's. American doctors usually prescribe steroids, but I'd rather try ginkgo instead of something that could have unpleasant side effects such as weight gain, acne, and irregular heartbeat. A CASE IN POINT Taking a Longer Walk In a study published in 1998, German researchers studied ginkgo's effect on patients suffering from two conditions: peripheral occlusive arterial disease, or a narrowing of blood vessels in the limbs, and intermittent claudication, or lameness. At the start, all patients could walk little more than 100 meters without pain. Then, one group of patients was given ginkgo, and another group took a placebo. After 24 weeks of regular walking, the ginkgo-taking patients clearly fared better. They increased their pain-free walking distance by about 50 percent. The placebo-taking control group, on the other hand, was able to walk only about 25 percent farther than when they started the study. The conclusions: Not only is ginkgo safe under these experimental conditions, but it helps such patients walk farther, pain-free. Tinnitus. A constant ringing, buzzing, or whistling sound in the ears can be a problem for older people. Instead of responding to an outside stimulus, the acoustic nerve is triggered by something internal. Thought to be a result of poor circulation in the brain, tinnitus can be relieved by ginkgo. In one European study in the mid-1980s, all patients taking 320 milligrams of ginkgo daily for a month improved much more than those taking a placebo. Although some tinnitus sufferers have not been helped by ginkgo, Stephen Nagler, M.D., director of the Southeastern Comprehensive Tinnitus Clinic in Atlanta, says he expects some conclusive answers when the results of the first large-scale study on the effectiveness of ginkgo for tinnitus, being conducted at Birmingham University in the United Kingdom, are published in the near future. How to Take It and How Much I cannot endorse ingesting dry ginkgo leaves (even though I have personally consumed fresh leaves blended into fruit juice and even http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/54/8.cfm _________________ JoAnn Guest mrsjo- DietaryTi- www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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