Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba

Info
Ginkgo is the oldest living tree species. It is native to China, Japan, and Korea, but is also found throughout Europe and North America. It is often used as an ornamental tree. Active ingredients include flavonoids, biflavonoids, and proanthocyanidins. Ginkgo leaves are the source used in supplements.

MAINTENANCE/THERAPEUTIC RANGE
50 mg to 300 mg (standardized to 24% ginkgoflavonglycosides and 6% terpene lactones).

POSSIBLE THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS
Anxiety; coronary heart disease; glaucoma; inflammation; macular degeneration; memory loss; poor circulation; premenstrual syndrome; Raynaud's disease; retinopathy; tinnitus; vertigo.

Other
Ginkgo has antioxidant properties. Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is among the leading prescription medicines in both Germany and France, and worldwide, millions of prescriptions are written for it annually.

Cautions
Consult with your health practitioner if you are taking any medication, especially blood thinning/anticoagulant drugs, such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, indomethacin (Indocin), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and warfarin (Coumadin). Avoid ginkgo seeds; they contain ginkgotoxin, which can cause seizures and death.

References
Jellin, JM, editor. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.
Pillepich, JA. The Nutraceutical Reference Guide, 2005.