If you’ve been experiencing concentration or memory loss lately, you may need ginkgo biloba supplements. This herbal supplement is famous for its properties that can overcome the decline in one’s memory ability.
Plants originating from China, are also believed to have many benefits for the body, in addition to helping overcome memory decline. Before further discussing the benefits of ginkgo biloba, you should first get acquainted with this one herbal supplement.
What is a ginkgo biloba supplement?
This supplement comes from an extract of an herbal plant called ginkgo biloba, whose leaves are fan-shaped and the fruit is yellow and is known to have an unpleasant odor.
Ginkgo trees are believed to be one of the oldest trees, dating back more than 200 million years. The use of its leaves as herbal medicine has also been believed for a long time, and has been believed for generations, especially in China.
The tree that is found in China, Japan and Korea is then also known in America and Europe. In its development, ginkgo biloba leaves are produced, the extract of which is sold as a supplement in the form of tablets, capsules or tea.
How Does Ginkgo Biloba Supplement Work?
This herbal plant is believed to be rich in antioxidants. Because of its content, ginkgo can improve blood circulation, which has a good impact on the health of the brain, eyes, ears and feet.
Ginkgo seeds are also believed to contain substances that can kill bacteria and fungi that can cause infections in the body. However, it needs certain processing because the seeds also contain toxins that can cause serious side effects such as seizures and loss of consciousness.
Benefits of ginkgo biloba supplements for the body
This herbal plant is believed to have a myriad of health benefits. However, there are 10 main benefits of ginkgo that are widely known:
1. Improve brain function
Ginkgo biloba is famous for its ability to improve drug function. A number of small studies support the idea. From there this drug is claimed to help improve memory and increase focus.
Even so, more in-depth research is needed on the link between this plant and improved brain function.
2. Acts as an antioxidant
The leaves of this plant have a high content of flavonoids and terpenoids. Both are known to have powerful antioxidant effects.
Antioxidants can combat or ward off free radicals. Free radicals in excessive amounts will make the body experience oxidative stress. That is, the body is no longer able to neutralize free radicals.
The occurrence of oxidative stress is often associated with the emergence of several chronic diseases. Some of these include heart disease and cancer.
3. Helps overcome inflammation
Inflammation occurs in response when the body experiences an injury or the presence of a foreign substance in the body. In some cases, inflammation occurs excessively and this causes permanent damage to the tissues and DNA of the body.
That condition can be improved by ginkgo extract. Ginkgo’s ability is claimed after passing a number of studies.
4. Maintain heart health
This herbal remedy is able to increase blood flow to various organs of the body. Including flow to and from the heart. This has an effect on heart function.
One study in people with heart disease, revealed consuming ginkgo increases blood flow to various parts of the body. However, supporting research is still needed to prove the benefits of ginkgo for the heart as a whole.
Although it still needs further research, on the other hand, in traditional Chinese medicine, ginkgo is believed to be a medicine that opens energy channels. Ginkgo can open energy channels to various organs, including the kidneys, liver, brain and lungs.
5. Maintain mental health and overcome dementia
There have been no studies that confirm ginkgo is useful for maintaining mental health. However, it remains possible that ginkgo may reduce anxiety, stress and other symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Other sources say, if taking ginkgo every day can help reduce symptoms of schizophrenia. Taking ginkgo is also accompanied by conventional antipsychotic drugs for 8 to 16 weeks.
Taking ginkgo can also reduce side effects such as constipation, thirst and other side effects of taking conventional antipsychotics.
Taking 240 mg of ginkgo every day is claimed to help reduce symptoms of dementia. Unfortunately, like other ginkgo benefits, scientific evidence is still needed about these ginkgo benefits.
6. Overcoming vision problems
There is still little research linking ginkgo to eye problems. However, from the research that has been done, the results are promising.
Although there is no certainty, the effect has been proven. Although not significant, people with decreased ability to see due to age, improved after taking ginkgo.
7. Overcoming headaches and migraines
In traditional Chinese medicine, ginkgo is famous for being able to overcome headaches and migraines.
However, again, there is still a need for scientific proof of the benefits of ginkgo.
Many people believe this herbal remedy can indeed overcome headaches. If the pain is caused by reduced blood flow or narrowing of blood vessels.
In addition, ginkgo may be able to overcome headaches or migraines caused by excessive stress.
8. Relieves premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Taking ginkgo leaf extract may be able to relieve breast pain or other pain associated with PMS.
In a study conducted by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran in 2007-2008 in 85 college students revealed, that there was a decrease in PMS symptoms as much as 23 percent after taking ginkgo biloba.
9. Helps overcome asthma
Ginkgo is believed to overcome symptoms of asthma and other respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
This is because ginkgo contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can reduce inflammation in the airways. It can also improve lung function.
Again, these findings still need to be reinforced with in-depth scientific research to ascertain the benefits of ginkgo over asthma.
10. Overcoming se**xual dysfunction
Ginkgo is believed to overcome the condition of se**xual dysfunction. These include ere**ctile dysfunction or low libi**do.
The use of ginkgo to help with se**xual dysfunction is considered possible. However, there has been no research to support it to date.
In addition to those already mentioned, ginkgo is also believed to be able to overcome other health problems, although it still needs a lot of research to prove it. For example, being able to overcome vertigo, excessive anxiety, cancer and other health problems.
This herbal medicine is also claimed to be able to overcome hemorrhoids, hair loss, autism and also multiple sclerosis. If you want to try taking this supplement as a drug, it should be done together with consultation with experts or doctors.
Ginkgo biloba Supplement Use Dosage
Until now the use of definite doses has only been known to treat dementia. The dose needed by older persons is 120 to 240 mg per day for one or two drinks.
For general use can start from 120 mg, to avoid gastrointestinal side effects.
This dosage is for the use of supplements that have been processed and sold in drug stores or pharmacies. Avoid eating plants that have not been processed, because they contain toxins that can cause severe allergic reactions.
Ginkgo Biloba Supplement Side Effects
Although known to be useful, this herbal plant also has a risk of side effects, such as:
- Nauseous
- Diarrhea
- Dizzy
- Headache
- Stomach aches
- Rash reaction
- Allergy.
Therefore, consult a doctor before taking ginkgo supplements. Especially if you have a history of plant allergies. This makes you unable to take ginkgo supplements.
Interaction with other drugs
In addition to considering the risk of side effects, you also need to know if ginkgo can interact with medications. Interactions can make medications taken along with ginkgo supplements not work as well.
Some medications that interact with ginkgo supplements include:
- Alprazolam. This drug is commonly used to treat anxiety symptoms. If taken along with ginkgo it will reduce the effectiveness.
- Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs. The drug is used to reduce blood clotting. If taken with ginkgo will increase the risk of bleeding.
- Anticonvulsants or drugs cope with seizures. If taken together with ginkgo it may reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
- Ibuprofen. If this is used along with ginkgo supplements, it may increase the risk of bleeding.
- Diabetes drugs. If taken along with ginkgo it can alter a person’s response to these types of drugs.
- Antidepressant. Some types of antidepressants such as imipramine and fluoxetine, if taken together with ginkgo will decrease their effectiveness.
Beyond this data, there may be other interactions. You can find out if you ask the expert directly.
Sundries of Ginkgo Biloba Supplements
By far the most common use of ginkgo is as a supplement in the form of tablets, capsules or tea. In addition, ginkgo is also often used in the manufacture of cosmetics.
In Japan and in China, ginkgo seeds are processed into food. However, this is not recommended because the seeds of unprocessed plants contain toxins. This can result in severe reactions in people who consume it.
Who can’t take ginkgo biloba?
Another thing you should pay attention to is, this supplement can also affect other medical conditions. For example, people with epilepsy or people prone to seizures. You should not take ginkgo because the content of ginkgotoxin can cause seizures.
For pregnant and lactating women should ask your doctor first, before taking this supplement. Because this supplement can increase the risk of bleeding.
If you are going to have surgery, you should not take ginkgo supplements for the previous two weeks.
Ginkgo also affects diabetes. If you are diabetic, it’s a good idea to take ginkgo after consulting a doctor. Moreover, this supplement also interacts with medications associated with diabetes.
Use supplements in accordance with the recommended dose. Overuse may cause side effects or cause reactions to other health problems.
