By HealthPrep Staff
Most of us living in the Western hemisphere associate the Ginkgo Biloba and its herbal extract with Chinese Medicine, and the lore that follows its health and life-giving properties. However, the extract of this Chinese herb has been studied extensively in the West, mostly in Germany and France, since the late 1970’s and early 1980’s and has confirmed that it does indeed offer a host of miraculous benefits for the human body. It appears that traditional Chinese doctors were not lying when they touted Ginkgo as the “Ancient Tree of Longevity.” Live long and prosper with this ancient herb, and discover how it benefits the human body now.
Improves Asthma And COPD Symptoms
Regarding treating Asthma, Ginkgo has produced the following two positive results in randomized tests: reduction in hyper-responsiveness of the bronchial airways and a reduction in bronchial spasms. In one particular study, Asthma patients who used high doses of Ginkgo extract showed a ten to fifteen percent improvement in FEVI, a measure of exhalation. Other studies have shown similar results as well as the overall reduction of lung cell inflammation of those suffering from Asthma.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients can also derive various benefits from Ginkgo supplementation since Ginkgo contains anti-inflammatory properties such as ginkgolide B. Ginkgolide B helps to relieve the symptom of obstructive airways caused by COPD, specifically its most dangerous component, platelet-activating Factor (PAF), which can lead to life-threatening bronchoconstriction.
Fights Inflammation
Inflammation, in and of itself, is not inherently dangerous as it is the body’s natural response to injuries and infections. However, in the case of chronic diseases, which causes an inflammatory response from the body, can still damage the body’s DNA cells as well as human tissues.
In recent studies, Ginkgo has shown the ability to reduce inflammation produced by arthritis, irritable bowel disease (IBD), stroke, heart disease, and cancer. Other studies have shown promising results when it comes to Ginkgo’s anti-inflammatory benefits in the areas of vascular inflammation, specifically in patients living with diabetes who have vascular complications due to the disease. What is more, patients who are currently on dialysis can also supplement with Ginkgo extract in order to get inflammatory relief, as the herb can inhibit the inflammatory producing TNF alpha-induced NF-kb gene production at the deepest cellular level.
While most of the anti-inflammatory studies pertaining to Ginkgo have focused on chronic diseases, other inflammatory problems such as allergies and infections that relate to the skin can also be improved by supplementing with Ginkgo. In this case, Ginkgo is usually formulated into a topical solution and mixed with other anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric and ginger to reduce swelling on and within the skin
Perhaps the most well-researched aspect of Ginkgo and its benefits towards human health come in the way of brain health, specifically improvements in cognitive function and memory, as well as a reduction in mental diseases and disorders such as dementia, depression, and Alzheimer’s.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Ginkgo has already been used by allopathic doctors in Europe to medically treat and alleviate dementia. Originally, European doctors used it because of its ability to improve circulation to the brain, but since then have discovered numerous other cognitive benefits including the ability to protect and even regenerate damaged nerve cells.
Ginkgo’s ability to improve cognitive functioning, enhance memory and reduce cognitive debilitating diseases is primarily associated with its ability to improve blood circulation to the brain. Medical researchers discovered in 2007 that certain compounds extracted from the leaves of Ginkgo Biloba could alleviate depression and anxiety, as well as reduce the stress-related damage done to the brain because of these disorders. Thus, Ginkgo not only helps human beings to build a better working brain and stave of mentally disabling diseases but also can improve and reduce the symptoms of psychological disorders like depression and anxiety.