Ginkgo Biloba and Its Healing Properties
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Ginkgo Biloba is one of the most popular herbal remedies in use today. Like many other herbs, our ancestors have known of and taken advantage of its healing properties for centuries. Doctors recommend caution when taking this herb, as it is extremely potent. Symptoms of overuse include skin disorders, headaches, and other issues. Taken with respect for dosing guidelines, and awareness, Ginkgo Biloba can vastly enhance your alternative healing medicine cabinet. |
The Ginkgo Biloba tree is the sole survivor of an entire genus of related trees, and therefore truly in a class all by itself. Fossil records indicate this tree flourished before and during the dinosaur era. Unlike the dinosaurs, and many other life forms, Ginkgo Biloba survived virtually unchanged. Aside from being an incredible survivor, the nature of this tree runs contrary to almost every other plant on Earth. To begin, it is a deciduous conifer; meaning its leaves fall off every year, unlike a pine tree. The Ginkgo tree also comes in female and male genders; with the later having motile sperm. In modern times, there are only a few samples of wild trees reported to be left in the Shandong province of China. Not only are some of these trees reputed to be over 3,000 years old, they sport aerial roots that took hundreds of years to develop.
The Ginkgo Biloba tree was first introduced in Europe in the early 18 th century where it gained immense popularity as an ornamental tree. In the 1980s, researchers discovered the potent effect extracts from this tree have on the cardiovascular system.
Almost every part of the tree has medicinal properties. The leaves are known to contain flavones glycosides, lactones, sitosterol, bioflavones, and anthocyanins. The main therapeutic function is the relaxation of blood vessels and stimulation of the circulatory system. Hence, the observation that Ginkgo improves mental function, as it improves blood flow in the brain. Continued research on this front holds promise for isolating a compound that will reduce, or perhaps even alleviate the symptoms of dementia that often accompanies Alzheimer's disease. Fluid extract from fresh Ginkgo Biloba leaves are already widely sold in Europe to treat cerebral arteriosclerosis in the elderly.
Recent research has demonstrated that ginkgolide, a compound found in the leaves, is as effective as many standard pharmaceutical drugs currently used to treat irregular heartbeats. Tinctures made from fresh Ginkgo Biloba leaves are combined with other herbs such as periwinkle and linden to treat a number of circulatory problems. Many herbalists also combine the leaves of the Ginkgo tree with king's clover to treat venous disorders.
Other uses for the Ginkgo Biloba leave include the treatment of varicose veins, leg ulcers, inflammations, and hemorrhoids. For these ailments, herbalists make an infusion that can be turned into a wash.
The Ginkgo Biloba seeds are also rich in minerals, fatty acids, and bioflavones. The seeds are especially popular in traditional Chinese medicine, and are called bai gou. They are believed to act on the lung and kidneys and are used to treat the symptoms of asthmatic disorders, and all chest problems that produce thick phlegm. The seeds of the Ginkgo tree are also believed to have a toning effect on the urinary system, and are useful in the treatment of excessive urination, or incontinence.
The Ginkgo Biloba tree has become firmly established in the repertoire of all herbalists. Researchers today are confirming a wealth of healing properties for the cardiovascular system. With careful attention to dosing guidelines, the Ginkgo Biloba can be safe, effective, and reliable in treating various illnesses.
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Author: Scott Meyers
About the Author: Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbs.
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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.
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