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Ginkgo and Protecting The EYES It appears that
Ginkgo can help protect against
glaucoma, by improving circulation to the eyes. Though
'intra-occular pressure' - the pressure within the eyeball - can
be reduced by drugs or operation, the sight may still continue
to deteriorate. The use of Ginkgo at this time is thought to
protect the optic nerve in a way as yet little understood.
Surprising Additional Benefits...
(SEX!) Some men who are taking Ginkgo for other purposes have also
noticed an improvement in sexual function! Again, presumably
because of improved blood circulation.
In fact, in a study in California, 84% of men with
sexual dysfunction produced by taking antidepressants, said
their situation improved after taking Ginkgo. (Sexual dysfunction - ie
erectile difficulty - is a common side-effect of
antidepressant drugs.)
An even higher proportion of women - 91% - reported that
Ginkgo improved all aspects of their
sex lives. This could make Ginkgo a very beneficial choice for
many women.
SCAVENGES 'FREE RADICALS' This is a use
of Ginkgo which has not been studied
by scientists, because the concept of 'free radicals' is one
currently of more interest to those in the alternative
therapies.
Free radicals are the by-products of normal
metabolic activity, which are known to promote aging. Any
supplement which can scavenge, or 'mop up' these free radicals more
quickly is helping to delay the aging process.
Free radicals are involved, for example, in atheroschlerosis - the
formation of fatty deposits on the artery walls. These lead to
'hardening of the arteries'. By reducing this process - which it
appears it can do - Ginkgo will protect the arteries, and therefore
the function of the heart.
For a useful discussion of free radicals, and their cousins, oxygen
radicals, see:
friendsofogdell.bizland.com/longevity_biochemistry_aging_resourc
es.html
DEPRESSION IN THE ELDERLY When studying the effects on
the elderly of Ginkgo, it was found that many of those
in the study reported a hightened level of mental well-being - they
felt brighter, and happier.
This has led to further studies specifically related to
depression.
In one study of 40 elderly people with depression, who had not
benefited from anti-depressant drugs, their drugs were supplemented
with Ginkgo, or they were given a placebo. The study reported a
very significant improvement in the Ginkgo group over the placebo
group.
The mechanism of improvement is conjectured to be to do with Ginkgo
increasing the number of seratonin-binding sites in the brain.
These normally reduce with older age.
WHOLE HERB OR STANDARDISED HERBAL
EXTRACT? We have a preference for using whole herb
(leaf in the case of Ginkgo) in general - because if the
whole herb (leaf) is not being used, something is being left
out.
We have seen recently how hypericin, the standardised herbal
extract of St John's Wort, is now known almost certainly not
to be the main active ingredient of the herb - and may be virtually
inactive!
Most studies of Ginkgo have been carried out using a
standardised extract - so if you want to be certain of duplicating
their results, it may be wise to go for an extract. However, we
know of no reason not to expect similar results from taking the
whole leaf, either in capsules or liquid form (the liquid could be
a herbal tincture or fluid extract).
[Next: Ginkgo and drug interactions... dosage...]
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