Ginkgo biloba - medicine for the elderly

Research results indicate that ginkgo leaves have various therapeutic effects in humans.

The ginkgo tree, scientifically known as Ginkgo biloba, is a species that has existed for millions of years, considered the oldest surviving species on Earth, and is now cultivated in many parts of the world. Ginkgo has been documented in traditional Chinese medicine texts since 2800 BC. Currently, ginkgo biloba is available in oral, tablet, and injectable forms.

Ginkgo biloba tree

Research results indicate that ginkgo leaves have various therapeutic effects in humans. Ginkgo biloba extract regulates blood vessels, reduces blood viscosity and red blood cell aggregation, inhibits platelet activating factor, prevents free radicals, and stabilizes cell membranes in cerebrovascular disease, dementia, and memory enhancement. Ginkgo biloba is used to treat early-stage Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and vascular tinnitus.

Numerous studies testing ginkgo for the treatment of cerebrovascular disease and dementia have shown that ginkgo-based products may improve symptoms of dementia. Traditional Eastern medicine also uses ginkgo fruit as an expectorant, asthma remedy, vaginal discharge treatment, detoxifier, and antiseptic.

European scientists, while studying the chemical composition and effects of ginkgo leaves, have also discovered active compounds that have brain-boosting and anti-aging effects, helping the elderly restore memory, treat drowsiness, poor memory, and irritability.

The two active compounds, ginkgolide B and the sesquiterpene bilobalide, in ginkgo biloba extract increase cerebral circulation and enhance tissue tolerance to oxygen deprivation. They are considered neuroprotective, antioxidant, free radical scavenger, membrane stabilizer, and platelet activator inhibitor.

Other pharmacological effects include relaxing the endothelium through phosphodiesterase inhibition, preventing the loss of viscosity at mucin-producing choline receptors and adrenaline-releasing receptors, stimulating choline reuptake, and preventing beta-amyloid plaque deposition.

In addition to its uses in cerebrovascular disease, dementia, and memory enhancement, ginkgo is also used to treat tinnitus and is effective for drug-induced sexual dysfunction, discomfort when climbing high mountains, reduced susceptibility to cold, improvement of macular degeneration, asthma, and hypoxia in the blood and tissues.

With the elderly population growing, and the number of people experiencing dementia and mobility issues increasing, ginkgo biloba is considered a relatively safe and inexpensive herbal remedy. It may support patients with Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive disorders such as memory impairment, decreased intellectual capacity, confusion, and behavioral disturbances.

Ginkgo biloba is the drug of choice for treating dizziness and tinnitus, retinal damage due to ischemic causes, and chronic lower extremity arterial occlusion. It slows disease progression and alleviates symptoms to reduce dementia. It is important for patients to carefully choose the type of ginkgo they want to use, ensuring the product meets safety standards for terpene lactone and ginkgolic acid levels.

Note: Ginkgo biloba extract is not a blood pressure lowering medication and should not be used as a substitute for blood pressure medications. Its effects on pregnant women are unknown, therefore it should not be used during pregnancy. Do not use the injectable form in doses exceeding 25mg in cases of alcohol intoxication, acidosis, fructose sorbitol intolerance, or fructose 1,6-diphosphatase deficiency.

Do not dilute with other solutions. Rare side effects include digestive upset, acne, and headache. Ginkgo is generally well tolerated, but may increase the risk of bleeding if taken with warfarin, antiplatelet drugs, and certain other herbal remedies.

According toHealth & Life