Gingko

Gingko (Gingko biloba)

Traditionally used in herbal medicine as a:

• Circulatory stimulant – promotes blood flow to the brain and the extremities (cold hands, feet)
• powerful antioxidant
• anti-allergy
• peripheral vasodilator
• neuroprotective
• energy enhancer
• cognitive enhancer
• anti-inflammatory
• uterine stimulant
• digestive bitter
• relaxant
• Blood thinner/anti-platelet function
• Enhanced tissue perfusion

Traditional Herbal Uses:

• blood circulatory issues
• diabetic vascular disease
• tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness, headaches, hearing loss, retinopathy, retinal edema, macular degeneration, cataracts, floaters, glaucoma
• Alzheimer’s, dementia (esp. in elderly)
• depression, anxiety
• improves blood flow to the brain: supports brain’s metabolism of glucose & oxygen, & ACh; improves memory, concentration, brain function, sleep disturbances, fatigue, CFS, headaches, temporal arteritis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Respiratory issues including asthma
• Allergies.
• Hypoxia
• Raynaud’s syndrome
• intermittent claudication
• chronic venous insufficiency
• venous ulcers
• atherosclerosis
• ischaemic conditions
• thrombosis
• coronary artery disease
• High blood pressure
• varicose veins, spontaneous bruising
• irregular heart beat
• Impotence, low libido
• congestive dysmenorrhea
• allergic inflammatory reactions
• tobacco addiction

Herbal Constituents:

• Diterpene lactones (ginkgolide A, ginkgolide B, ginkgolide C, ginkgolide J, & M are anti-inflammatory bronchodilators, strong PAF inhibitors. Act synergistically with flavonols & OPC & the sesquiterpene bilobalide to produce anti-inflammatory & central nervous system protective effects.

• Flavonols: kaempferol, quercitin, isorhamnetin, myricetin are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective compounds;

• Flavones: luteolin and tricetin;

• Biflavones: bilobetin, ginkgetin, isoginkgetin

• OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidins): catechin. In general, OPC have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti cancer, cardio tonic, astringent & antimicrobial properties.

* This section cites Lisa Ganora.

Combines well with:

• Linden (Tilia X vulgaris)
• Cayenne (Capsicum annuum)
• Gotu kola (Centella asiatica)
• Ginger root (Zingiber officinale)
• Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)
• MilkThistle (Silybum marianum)

Body Systems:

• Cardiovascular System
• Nervous System
• Immune System
• Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat
• Reproductive System
• Respiratory system