What is Ginkgo: Health Benefits, Uses, Side Effects and Precautions

Ginkgo, scientifically known as Ginkgo biloba, is one of the oldest surviving trees and is sometimes called a living fossil. However, the most important factor is that Ginkgo has a potent antioxidant property, flavonoids. Further, the extract of Ginkgo is taken from the fan-shaped leaves of this tree.

Though it has some limitations, the benefits of Ginkgo should not be neglected. The piece will discuss the benefits and other related information.

The notable benefits of Ginkgo are as follows:

1. Works on Inflammation

When the human body gets under attack from foreign substances, the body produces inflammation. However, this inflammation gets high for chronic diseases and causes trouble for the body’s general functions. If this continues, the tissue and DNA get damaged permanently. In this case, Ginkgo helps a lot to calm down the inflammatory sensations. Ginkgo can reduce inflammation caused due to:

• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• IBD or irritable bowel disease

That is why Ginkgo extract is widely used as an anti-inflammatory medicine.

2. Antioxidant Properties

Ginkgo has a high level of terpenoids and flavonoids. These are strong antioxidants that fight free radicals. The human body produces free radicals at the time of metabolic functions. During detoxification also, free radicals are produced. Hence, free radicals damage and quicken the process of ageing. Moreover, it further accelerates the development of different diseases. Hence, Gingko reduces the chances of damage due to free radicals and also helps to treat different diseases.

3. Improves Brain Functioning

Ginkgo effectively improves brain functioning, performance, and pattern recognition. Ginkgo Biloba was tested on both middle-aged and older adults; the herb’s effect is positive in both cases. It is clinically proven that Gingko has a helpful impact on the problems such as:

• Dementia
• Cognitive impairment
• Alzheimer’s disease

Thus, Ginkgo helps in proper blood flow to the brain and helps to calm down the adverse symptoms of the above-mentioned diseases.

4. Improves Heart Health and Blood Circulation

From a very early age, Ginkgo seeds are considered a very effective medicine for giving energy to different organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, and brain. This is because the seed has the amazing power to enhance blood flow throughout the body. This is because the extract boosts the level of nitric oxide, which dilates the blood vessels. Therefore, blood flow to the heart and brain improves and maintains good health.

5. Reduces Anxiety

One of the most popular uses of Ginkgo Biloba extract is treating anxiety disorders. This happens due to the beneficial antioxidant properties of Ginkgo extract. It is proven that a dose of 240 mg of Ginkgo reduces the harmful effects of anxiety compared to the placebo group.

6. Helpful to Reduce Stress

Depression and other mental issues are caused due to increased levels of stress hormones. Therefore, it causes inflammation in the body and raises different issues. Ginkgo can help reduce this inflammation and release stress levels. Therefore, it is effective for treating depression and other such problems.

7. Improves Eye Health

Ginkgo helps to increase the flow of blood, which in turn aids in treating different health issues and also improves eye health. As the extract of this herb improves blood flow to the eyes, it strengthens the optic nerves and reduces the chances of Glaucoma. Further, the extract is also helpful for reducing the effects of ageing on your vision.

8. Beneficial For Skin

As the herb has anti-ageing properties, this is used in cosmetics to repair wrinkles and other ageing issues from your skin. Further, it improves the skin’s elasticity and gives a healthy glow to your skin. In addition, clinical results have shown its amazing effect on reducing the blemishes of vitiligo.

9. Effective for Migraine and Headaches

In ancient China, Ginkgo extract was a beneficial medicine for headaches. As the extract has anti-inflammatory properties, it reduces the chances of migraine due to increased stress levels. Further, headaches due to contracted blood vessels can be treated with the help of Ginkgo extract.

10. Helpful For Diabetic Patients

The herb increases the function of pancreatic cells, therefore, increases the production of insulin. Further, it is also effective in insulin resistance and reduces the chances of mortality due to diabetes. Moreover, Ginkgo extract helps to reduce blocked arteries, damaged blood vessels, and oxidative damage.

11. Helpful in PMS Symptoms

PMS symptoms are very severe and prevalent complications among menstruating girls. Though it is not highly proven that Ginkgo completely reduces premenstrual syndrome, it reduces some of it effectively. However, researchers are still trying to find out whether it is truly beneficial for PMS or not.

12. Helps to Treat COPD and Asthma Symptoms

Another health benefit of Ginkgo is treating lung diseases such as asthma and COPD. This herb’s anti-inflammatory properties reduce the airways’ complications and improve lung functions. Further, studies also prove that Gingko is effective in managing asthma complications. Therefore, it can be great medicine for suffering patients.

13. Helps in Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction also happens due to low blood circulation. As Ginkgo increases, the levels of nitric oxide therefore, it helps in blood vessel dilation. As a result, it improves the blood flow in particular areas, thus, treating sexual dysfunctionality. Further, research proves that Ginkgo extract is beneficial in increasing sexual urges among women undergoing sexual psychotherapy.

14. Helps in Reducing Cancer Effects

Researchers have found out that Ginkgo fruit essence helps reduce tumour size. Further, cell-based studies prove that the extract of this herb accelerates cancer cell death. Therefore, it effectively prevents mutation in DNA and other risk factors associated with cancer cell growth.

15. Helps in Hearing Issues

The effect of Ginkgo on hearing disabilities shows a considerable amount of success. Specifically, this is more helpful in reducing sudden deafness and hearing loss. However, the optimum performance of this herb in hearing loss needs more research.

You can intake Ginkgo in the following forms:

• Tablets
• Liquid extracts
• Dried leaves or tea
• Capsules

Any of these forms are helpful for different types of diseases mentioned earlier. However, you need to be very cautious with intaking raw Ginkgo because its raw seeds are poisonous. Further, there is no precise dosing for Ginkgo, though 120 – 240 mg of Ginkgo can be taken throughout the day. This dose should not exceed more than 600 mg per day.

Despite the benefits, there are several side effects of using Ginkgo if it is not taken properly. The following symptoms are very potent for wrong intaking of Ginkgo:

• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Allergic reaction
• Skin issues such as rashes
• Diarrhoea

The precautions that should be taken for using Ginkgo are as follows:

• Avoid using it during pregnancy
• Avoid intaking it if you are breastfeeding
• If you get multiple seizures, then avoid using Ginkgo
• As it sometimes adversely affects fertility, therefore, avoid using this if you already have such issues

Though it is beneficial for most cases, a group of people should avoid taking Ginkgo extract to avoid complications. They are as follows:

• Pregnant women
• New mothers
• People with allergic tendencies
• Older adults
• People who are having surgeries
• People with thyroid issues and liver disease