12 Health Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is one of the most popular herbal supplements in the world. It's been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine, but it wasn't until recently that researchers began studying its effects on humans. Now scientists know that ginkgo has antioxidant properties and may help protect against Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia, and there are many other possible health benefits associated with this plant as well.

May protect brain cells

Ginkgo biloba extract has been shown to protect brain cells from damage. This can be a benefit for people with Alzheimer's disease, who have difficulty forming new memories and often experience a loss in cognitive function as well as personality changes.


Studies show that ginkgo biloba extract protects brain cells from oxidative stress and free radical damage, two factors that contribute to mental decline. It also protects your brain cells from the damaging effects of toxins, such as heavy metals (e.g., mercury) or alcohol abuse; lack of oxygen (hypoxia); head trauma; stroke; seizures; neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease; and aging itself

May enhance memory and thinking skills


You may be familiar with ginkgo biloba because it's been prescribed for memory problems, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The extract of the ginkgo tree has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years as a way to enhance memory and thinking skills.


Ginkgo biloba works by increasing blood flow to the brain, which can help improve mental function. It also enhances communication between nerve cells and may have antioxidant properties to protect against damage caused by free radicals (chemicals produced during normal metabolism that attack healthy cells).


To get these benefits, take 120 milligrams daily; some people may need more or less than that amount depending on their health status and other factors like age or gender. If you want to try this herb as part of your diet plan but don't want side effects from taking too much, speak with your doctor before starting any new supplements—or talk about supplementing with another herb instead!



Could help treat dementia


Ginkgo biloba is used to treat dementia, which is a condition that causes difficulty thinking, remembering and communicating.


It may help improve memory and thinking skills in healthy people, as well as slowing down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. This means it could also be effective at treating other forms of dementia, including vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia.

Might relieve depression symptoms


Ginkgo biloba is known to help relieve depression symptoms. It works by inhibiting the breakdown of serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that are involved in mood regulation.


In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, researchers found that gingko biloba was effective in improving several symptoms of depression, including anger, anxiety and sadness. Because it increases blood flow to the brain and can act as an anti-inflammatory agent (both which may contribute to mood stability), gingko biloba is thought to work well with other treatments for depression such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).


The best dosage for reducing depression symptoms might be 40mg taken twice daily for 2 weeks followed by 40mg once daily thereafter. If you're currently taking an SSRI or other antidepressant medication and would like to add gingko biloba into your regimen without decreasing your current dose of medication(s), consult with your doctor first before making any changes.

Can reduce anxiety


Ginkgo biloba may help reduce anxiety. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, ginkgo biloba works by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in memory and learning. In addition, ginkgo biloba increases the production of dopamine and serotonin—two chemicals that play a role in mood regulation.


You can take 80 mg of standardized ginkgo extract twice daily if you have mild anxiety or 60 mg three times daily if you have moderate to severe anxiety.* Do not take this herb if you are using blood thinners or taking medications for neuropathy (nerve pain) or seizures.*


It takes time for herbs to work; generally speaking, it takes about 4-6 weeks before you see any benefits from taking them regularly.*

May protect your eyes from damage


Ginkgo biloba may help prevent age-related macular degeneration. A study published in the journal Optometry and Vision Science found that ginkgo biloba supplementation significantly reduced the risk of age-related macular degeneration for people over 55, with participants who took 240 mg per day having a 26% lower risk than those not taking the supplement.


Ginkgo biloba is an antioxidant that helps protect against oxidative damage from free radicals, which can lead to cell death and other health problems such as cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Free radicals are produced when you breathe or eat things like tobacco smoke or fried food that contain harmful chemicals called oxygen molecules (known as "free radicals"). Oxidative stress occurs when there are more free radicals than antioxidants available to neutralize them—this imbalance can lead to cell damage in your body's tissues by overloading cells with unstable molecules known as free radicals.

Supports healthy blood vessels


Ginkgo biloba is thought to help improve blood circulation. This can be good news for people with varicose veins and other conditions that cause poor blood circulation, as well as those who have recently undergone surgery or other medical procedures.


It may also help prevent blood clots from forming in the body by reducing the stickiness of platelets (cells in your blood responsible for clotting).


It is believed that ginkgo biloba can reduce inflammation of arteries and improve their elasticity, which may prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) from developing further. This is especially important because atherosclerosis often leads to a stroke.

Relieves PMS symptoms


PMS can be uncomfortable and even painful, especially for women who have a difficult time coping with symptoms such as bloating, mood swings and headaches. Thankfully, ginkgo biloba may be able to help relieve some of these issues.


Ginkgo biloba supplements can be taken daily from the second week of your menstrual cycle until three days before your period begins. You should always consult with your doctor first to ensure that it’s safe for you to take gingko biloba in this manner.


You may also find relief by brewing a cup of tea made from fresh leaves or dried seeds (1 teaspoon per cup) steeped in boiling water for 10 minutes before drinking once daily during the second week of your menstrual cycle until three days prior to when you expect your next period

Could relieve vertigo symptoms


Ginkgo biloba is a natural herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It has been found to be a potentially effective treatment for vertigo, dizziness, and other symptoms related to vestibular disorders such as Ménière's disease (a condition which affects hearing and balance).


The way ginkgo works to treat these symptoms is not well understood, but one possible explanation involves its ability to increase blood flow and oxygenation in the brain. The increased circulation may help improve nerve function in the inner ear region, which could reduce the severity of vertigo symptoms. In addition to its use for treating vestibular disorders such as Ménière's disease or Meniere's syndrome (a severe form of dizziness characterized by recurring episodes with periods free from symptoms), gingko biloba extract has also been shown promising results when used alone or in combination with other medications for treating tinnitus (ringing noises inside one’s ears) and hearing loss caused by exposure too loud noises like music concerts or at work sites where loud tools are used daily throughout the day.

May support your skin health


Ginkgo biloba may help reduce skin inflammation and prevent skin damage. It may also help with acne, eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions.


Ginkgo biloba is thought to have antioxidant effects that protect the body from free radicals that can cause aging.


A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that ginkgo leaf extract reduced inflammation and prevented damage to human skin cells in culture.


Several studies have found that ginkgo supplements can improve symptoms of rosacea (a skin condition affecting the face).

Supports your hearing health


Ginkgo biloba is used to treat hearing loss and tinnitus. It is believed to work by increasing blood flow to the ear.


Ginkgo biloba may also be effective at treating other disorders of the ear, such as vertigo, hearing loss and ear infections.



May relieve pain related to conditions like fibromyalgia and MS


You may have heard that ginkgo biloba is good for improving memory, but did you know that it may also help with the pain caused by fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis?


Fibromyalgia and MS are both chronic conditions that cause pain throughout the body. These types of pain can be difficult to manage, but ginkgo biloba has been shown to improve symptoms like tingling in the arms or legs, muscle stiffness and fatigue while having little to no side effects.


While not as common as fibromyalgia or MS, other types of chronic pain can also be treated with ginkgo biloba. According to one study published in The Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine, people who took 300 mg per day of [ginkgo] had lower scores on a questionnaire measuring depression symptoms than those taking placebo pills.

Conclusion


Although ginkgo biloba is generally safe with few side effects, you shouldn't take it if you're on anticoagulant medication or take diabetes medication because of the risk of interactions -- always consult your doctor first if you have any concerns.


The most common side effects are headaches, dizziness, nausea and diarrhea. For example: “Ginkgo can cause headaches in some people, so if you start experiencing migraines after taking ginkgo supplements for a while then stop taking them immediately."



Ginkgo biloba is generally safe with few side effects, but it can interact with other medications. Always consult your doctor first if you have any concerns or take other medications.