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Ginkgo
Biloba
Ginkgo
Biloba is amongst the most popular
of Chinese herbs, Ginkgo
Biloba extract is one of the most widely used and extensively researched herbs available. Ginkgo Biloba Extract is obtained from the
leaves of the ornamental Ginkgo Tree, the worlds' oldest living
tree species.
This herbal extract is taken extensively by people wishing to enhance
their mental alertness by improving blood circulation to the brain.*
Such an increase in blood flow to the brain may
help maintain healthy memory function, mental alertness and an overall
feeling of well being.* It is also said to have a strong antioxidant activity
and mechanism for removing 'free radicals', which it is claimed protects against cell damage.*
Ginkgo Biloba
can be ordered Here
The Ginkgo Biloba tree
- is a deciduous tree which can live to be
as much as 1,000 years old and was once common in Europe and North America but was nearly wiped out during the ice age.
In Chinese culture it is a sacred tree and features prominently in Chinese
herbal medicine and Japanese medicinal folklore.
Chinese medicinal use of Gingko Biloba can be traced back at least 5,000 years.
The main benefit and reason for people taking the herb was stated to
be for its ability to "benefit the brain" and relieve the symptoms of asthma and coughs.
Older people use it extensively to aid in maintaining healthy memory function and for its
claimed strong antioxidant activity.*
Numerous compounds are found in Ginkgo which are unique to the herb Gingko
alone. There are two main groups of compounds thought to be responsible for ginkgo's health
benefits - 'Flavonoids' can be found in all plants and fruits
and are known for their antioxidant activities in the body. Antioxidants aid the body in removing excess free radicals which can be caused by such things as air pollution, pesticides, cigarette smoke, contaminated water, and even foods. Free radicals are normally present in small amounts in the body and act as chemical messengers in hormone production and by helping to activate enzymes. Too many, however, can cause cell damage and lead to cancer and other illnesses. Excess free radicals
can cause oxidation damage to our bodies.
The second group of compounds is called the Terpene Lactones,
specifically called Ginkolides A, B, and C, and Bilobalides, which
have not been found in any other plants. These compounds have been
shown to enhance glucose uptake and protect nerve cells.
Ginkgo leaves are harvested in the fall when they turn from green to
yellow. This yellow color indicates the presence of the flavonoids in
the leaves.
After they have been harvested they are dried in temperature and humidity controlled environments. They are raked to eliminate foreign matter and then pressed into bales at which point they are sent to an extraction plant. Once there, they are pulverized and mixed with organic solvents which allows the chemical components to be removed from the leaves. This mixture is then heated and refined to ensure purity. This procedure produces a 24% flavonoid concentration which is the industry standard for obtaining the therapeutic benefits of Ginkgo. Standardization is necessary to ensure that each capsule contains the correct amounts of active compounds.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Bibliography:
Keats Good Health Guide, "Ginkgo Biloba - The Amazing 200 Million Year-Old Healer, " by Frank Murray, copyright 1993.
Avery's Series, "All About Ginkgo Biloba," by Tracy Smith, copyright 1998.
Dr. Earl Mindell's What You Should Know About the Super Antioxidant Miracle, by Dr. Earl Mindell, copyright 1996.
St.
Johns Wort Ginseng Saw-Palmetto
Ginkgo Biloba Grape
Seed Contact
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