Ginkgo Biloba and Drug Interactions
|
|
The ginkgo biloba tree has been around for more than 200 million years. And it has been used for all sorts of health issues in China beginning 5000 years ago. By the 1600's, ginkgo biloba was thought to have died out but a German botanist found that in the pagoda gardens cared for by the Buddhist monks in China, it was still very much alive. At present, the plant can be found all over the world including Europe where it is used a great deal for its various healing properties. |
If a person takes certain medications in combination with ginkgo biloba, the affects of could be either positive or negative. Therefore it is important to proceed with caution and consult a doctor to avoid ginkgo drug interaction issues. Ginkgo biloba drug interactions may positively affect a person when combined with cyclosporine drugs. This interaction guards the cell membrane from damage. A drug like papaverine, that is used to cure erectile dysfunctions, will also benefit from the ginkgo drug interaction. It improves the success rate of the drug because the ginkgo biloba has similar properties. Another possible positive affect of the combination of drugs and ginkgo biloba is the increase in the affects of the anti depressant drug, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) in patients. This affect may go either way though so one has to be careful.
There are other drugs that work badly with ginkgo biloba. In these rare instances, you must be careful and follow your doctor's advice. One such area is the drug interaction with ginkgo biloba that may decrease the affect of drugs such as carbamazepine or valproic acid. These drugs are anticonvulsants taken by patients to help with seizures.
Ginkgo drug interactions have an impact on anyone who is using anti-coagulant medications. Ginkgo has blood thinning or anticoagulant properties. If you are taking drugs such as clopidogrel, heparin, ticlopidine, warfarin or dipyridamole you should avoid ginkgo biloba supplements.
People who are suffering with high blood pressure could be affected by the ginkgo biloba and drug interaction especially if they are using thiazide during treatment. Then there is trazodone, another antidepressant, in this instance, the drug and ginkgo biloba interaction may cause a coma. If you take only recommended amounts of ginkgo biloba and avoid the plant extract when there could be a negative interaction with other drugs, you should be fine.
If you have any concerns or questions about the safety of taking ginkgo biloba supplements while you are taking other medication, then you should discuss the issue with your physician who will be able to advise you based on your particular medical situation.
|
TeaBenefits.com Featured Product
 |
Buy Ginkgo Leaf
We offer high-quality yet low-priced Ginkgo Leaf. Makes the best Ginkgo Leaf Tea.
We give up to 40% discount! Try us now!
Buy Now! |
|
Author: Sarah Thomas
About the Author: Sarah Thomas is an established freelance writer. You can find more of her writing at ginkgobilobasource.com and herbalwire.com.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Ginkgo Biloba And Drug Interactions
Do you find the contents of this site useful and helpful? Feel free to bookmark, share and tell your friends about this site.
|
Ginkgo Biloba Tea Benefits Trivia:
Did you know that:
Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest living tree species and has been commonly referred to as a "living fossil". A single tree of ginkgo can live for up to one millennium. It had been particularly prominent throughout much of the world during the Cretaceous period which is about 150 million years ago.
Ginkgo biloba is highly idenfied with China as the tree is native to this country. Most of these trees can be found in two provinces of China, namely Guizhou and Anhui. The Anhui province is also particularly known for two other types of tea: Keemun Tea, a type of black tea; and Flowering Tea, which is a crafted tea composed of green tea leaves and fragrant blossoms.
Ginkgo biloba is widely used in China and in many parts of the world as a memory enhancer and a blood circulation booster. These functions are thought to be related to each other as the herb is said to help boost brain function by increasing the blood flow to the brain, thus nourishing the brain cells. These characteristics are quite similar to those exhibited by other herbal brews like ginseng tea and gotu kola tea which are likewise native to Asia.
Recent studies have yielded results that showed ginkgo biloba may be used to treat some forms of depression that are not responsive to anti-depressant agents. Ginkgo biloba is said to be able to enhance the re-uptake of serotonin at receptor sites. Serotonin is one of the key chemicals involved in regulating the mood. The amino acid tryptophan plays a very important role in the production of serotonin in the body.
Antioxidants in ginkgo biloba tea help fight the damages wrought by free radicals which are viewed as the source of many of today's debilitating diseases. Antioxidants in this herb include terpenoids (bilobalides and ginkgolides) and flavonoid glycosides.
Check out these Related Articles for Ginkgo Biloba Tea:
Submit Your Article
Check out these Interesting E-Book Guides to Heart Health, Teas and Wellness:
Ready to take that first step toward a healthier life?
Buy Ginkgo Biloba Tea here!
Check out these Interesting Books on Ginkgo Biloba Tea:
Check out these Related Topics to Ginkgo Biloba Tea Benefits:
|