GINKGO BILOBA

Ginkgo Biloba is one of the world's favorite supplements. Ginkgo biloba is considered one of the oldest species of trees in the world; growing on earth for 100 to 200 million years. Ginkgo is one of the most researched herbs in history, and medical evidence points to its many health benefits. It has been used for centuries in Chinese herbal medicine, especially the gingko leaves and seeds.

Ginkgo has two groups of active substances, flavonoids and terpene lactones, including ginkgolides A, B, and C, bilobalide, quercetin, and kaempferol. The ginkgolides have been shown to control allergic inflammation, anaphylactic shock and asthma. Studies have shown that flavonoids helps in protecting the nerves, heart muscle, and retina, and at the same time, terpenoids improves blood flow. The standardized ginkgo biloba extract is obtained from the gingko leaves and is used for its medicinal properties. The leaves in its natural state is rarely used, being that the ginkgo biloba extract is far more effective.

USES OF GINKGO BILOBA
Ginkgo works by increasing blood flow to the brain and throughout the body's network of blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the organ systems. It increases metabolism efficiency, regulates neurotransmitters, and boosts oxygen levels in the brain which uses 20% of the body's oxygen.

Ginkgo prevents and benefits many problems throughout the entire body. Ginkgo Biloba's reputation has largely been founded on its ability to improve blood circulation, and with it aid in the treatment of cerebral insufficiency, dementia and tinnitus, ringing in the ears, and also impotence in men; but more commonly used to improve memory and general mental functioning. It works by improving the micro-circulation in the brain and other organs and also seems to act to reduce the 'stickyness' of platelets, stopping the blood to clot. It also exhibits a powerful antioxidant effect that means it mops up free-radicals in the body and thereby reduces cell damage. Ginkgo may help to counteract the effects of aging, including mental fatigue and lack of energy.

BENEFITS OF GINKGO BILOBA
Some of Ginkgo biloba health benefits are as follows,

• Gingko biloba has antioxidant properties helps with thinking, learning, memory impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia.
• Gingko biloba can help with intermittent claudication.
• Gingko biloba also helps with retinal problems caused by diabetes and macular degeneration.
• It improves blood flow.
• Ginkgo has been shown to enhance vitality levels.
• Ginkgo helps in increasing sex drive.

The herb has been used in treatment of other circulation-related disorders such as diabetic peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud's syndrome, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Gingko biloba may also aid in ailments such as altitude sickness, asthma, depression, disorientation, headaches, bronchitis, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, arterial circulatory problems and vertigo among others.

SIDE EFFECTS OF GINKGO BILOBA
Like most other herbs Ginkgo also appears to be safe and only few rare side effects are reported.

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