In this article we will address information about this plant that combats early aging and mental fatigue, protects the heart and increases the function of our brain.
Ginkgo biloba is a tree native to China, Korea and Japan, considered by Charles Darwin as a “living fossil”, because the tree can survive 1,000 years and reach 30 meters in height. It is one of the oldest plant species in the world, with reports of prescribing tea from the tree’s leaves for medicinal purposes dating back to 1436 during the Ming dynasty.
What are the benefits of Ginkgo Biloba?
Ginkgo biloba-derived medicinal preparations are among the most prescribed herbal medicines in the world and are used for a number of diseases, such as concentration problems, dizziness, ringing in the ears, headaches and, in particular, cognitive disorders ( thinking, attention and memory problems).
The main benefits claimed by pharmaceutical companies around the world are those associated with improved concentration, memory and relief of dementia symptoms.
Main benefits
The main benefits associated with the use of ginkgo biloba extract are:
- Improves concentration and memory;
- Antioxidant action;
- Helps improve heart health and regulate blood pressure;
- Improves symptoms of dementia (mainly related to Alzheimer’s);
- Effects on behavior (humor and cognition).
How it works and acts in our body and brain?
The extract of this plant, called egb 761, contains specific percentages of substances called ginkgoflavones glycosides (24%) and terpenoids (6%), which together promote the “increase” of the blood supply throughout the body and even for the brain, once they cause dilation of blood vessels and make blood more fluid, in addition to reducing free radicals in nerve tissues.
We list below, in a simplified way, how ginkgo biloba acts in our body and brain, with the benefits mentioned above:
Improves concentration and memory
As we have said before, ginkgo improves blood circulation, increasing the amount of blood and, therefore, oxygen available to the whole body, one of those places being our brain, which ends up improving brain performance and memory, and also avoiding mental fatigue.
Antioxidant
The extract of this plant efficiently fights free radicals from oxygen and this ends up acting as an “anti-aging” factor for the whole body, resulting in an overall improvement in health.
Helps improve heart health and regulate blood pressure
Recent studies on the possible action of ginkgo extract in cardiovascular protection indicate it as a promising therapeutic agent for these diseases. One hypothesis for this is the effect of dilating the blood vessels and making the blood more fluid, which would prevent increased pressure, the formation of clots, among other factors that could lead to disfigurements related to heart and vessel diseases. Blood (such as heart attacks, strokes, etc.).
Improvement in dementia symptoms (mainly Alzheimer’s)
A study carried out with more than 100 patients aged 50 to 80 years with Alzheimer’s, improved symptoms after 6 months of treatment with ginkgo biloba extract. One of the possibilities for such an effect would be to increase the supply of oxygen to the brain, avoiding the death of neurons.
Improves mood
A study conducted in postmenopausal women concluded that the study group taking the ginkgo extract appeared to have better mood and cognition (memory) results than the group taking the placebo. Although the researcher himself suggests more studies.
The extract of this plant contains specific percentages of substances called glycosides of ginkgoflavones and terpenoids, which together promote the “increase” of the blood supply throughout the body and even to the brain, since they cause the dilation of the blood vessels and they make the blood more fluid, in addition to reducing the free radicals in the nervous tissues!
Correct ways of uses and application
First of all, it is important to make it clear that before you start using ginkgo biloba, you should consult your doctor so that he can evaluate the real need, efficiency and risks that the plant can bring to your health.
That said, the use of ginkgo biloba can vary depending on the intended benefit and the brand of laboratory that is producing the supplement.
However, the standard dose of ginkgo biloba dry extract for improving mental health is 120 to 240 mg, 1 to 3 times a day during meals.
In addition, there are other ways of using ginkgo biloba, such as:
- Infusion: a dessert spoon per cup, two to three cups a day, before meals.
- Powder:600 to 900 mg a day, in three doses, before meals.
- Glycolic extract: 2 to 5% in creams, shampoos and soaps.
- Tincture: from 2 to 10 ml up to 3 times a day.
First of all, it is important to make it clear that before starting to use ginkgo biloba, you should consult your doctor so that he can evaluate the real need, efficiency and risks that the plant can bring to your health.
The form of administration and the dose used will depend on the benefit you want to obtain. Always consult a doctor before adding supplements to your diet.