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2005
Awaiting revision 2007
GINKGO BILOBA
Ginkgo is one of the top ten
best-selling medications in Germany. It is also very popular in
France. It is used for a wide range of purposes - mostly related
to its ability to improve circulation and act as an
anti-oxidant.
Its main properties are:
IT DILATES (EXPANDS) BLOOD
VESSELS, AND THINS THE BLOOD
THE ARMS AND LEGS
This is why Ginkgo is used in situations such as
Raynauds syndrome, where there is a reduction
in blood flow to the hands, and situations where there is a
narrowing of the arteries - for example, intermittent
claudication.
THE BRAIN
The dilating
of the blood vessels partly explains why Ginkgo improves brain function. This
is why it has been found to assist in cases
of:
- Dementia
- Poor memory
- Certain types of tinnitus (ringing in the
ears)
- Alzheimer's disease (can delay
deterioration)
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STUDY
In 1997, the Journal of the
American Medical Association reported on a
study of the effects of Ginkgo extract on 309 people with
dementia (reduced mental function) caused either by
Alzheimers, or by a series of 'mini-strokes. (Most research
has been done using an extract of Ginkgo. This is not necessarily to
say that untreated Ginkgo won't work - but the extract is
mostly studied as it is widely available and has been used
for decades in Germany.)
The study - which was randomised, placebo-controlled, and double
blind (the most respected type!) - found that improvements due to
Ginkgo equated, on average, to a six month delay in expected
symptoms. This means that some individuals would receive a
significantly greater benefit than the average.
So Ginkgo is definitely worth trying in
these situations - especially as few side-effects have been
reported from its use.
This study is typical of numerous studies into the benefits of
Ginkgo, which is certainly one of the
most researched herbs ever.
Another example, in 1992, the Lancet (the main UK
doctors' publication) reported a 'meta-study' (study of studies) of
forty studies into Ginkgo, and reported that it was as
effective for improving circulation to the brain as the drug
alternative then being used - and, in addition, had no serious
side-effects. The drug - co-dergocrine - did have side-effects.
SOME LINKS FOR BRAIN FUNCTION/ALZHEIMERS
The Alzheimer's Society
Wikipedia on Alzheimer's Disease
[Next... Ginkgo and the eyes... Ginkgo and sex (honestly!)...]
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