Sandra Justice, P.D., FACA
Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest living tree species, existing
even before the Ice Age. Although Chinese herbal medicine has used
both the ginkgo leaf and seed for centuries, modern research has focused
on the standardized Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), which is produced
from the leaves. This extract is highly concentrated and much more
effective than any other use of the leaves. Ginkgo has powerful therapeutic
properties for a number of serious medical conditions, including Alzheimer's
disease, asthma, impotence, tinnitus and hearing loss, headaches,
circulatory disorders and hemorrhoids.
GBE is of the greatest interest to modern-day chemists and herbalists.
The average drug/extract ratio is 50:1. The extract is characterized
by 22-27 % flavonone glycosides and 5-7% terpene lactones, which should
appear on the supplement label. GBE is marketed in both solid and
liquid forms with each dose usually containing 40mg of the standardized
extract. This mixture of biologically- active natural products gives
the whole extract its complex range of activity.
Numerous studies have shown the efficacy of using GBE to improve
the mental acuity of geriatric patients. The extract strengthens tissue
by stabilizing cell membranes, acting as an antioxidant, and inhibiting
free radical damage. It also aids cell use of oxygen and glucose.
These properties are particularly important for brain cell tissue,
which is most vulnerable to free radical damage and oxygen deprivation.
Brain cells are also protected by GBE's ability to improve blood circulation
to the brain. GBE has also been shown to increase the rate of transmission
of information to the nerve cell level, enhancing memory ability.
These combined effects allow GBE to reverse mental deterioration caused
by vascular insufficiency. The mental deterioration caused by Alzheimer's
seems to be significantly delayed by GBE's ability to enhance brain
function, particularly during the early stages of the disease.
Peripheral arterial insufficiency is caused by arterial narrowing
or obstruction and its most common symptom is intermittent claudication,
particularly in the calves. GBE has been shown to improve blood flow
in the limbs and increase walking tolerance. Other peripheral vascular
disorders that respond to GBE include diabetic peripheral vascular
disease, Raynaud's phenomenon, acrocyanosis, and postphlebitis syndrome.
The terpone lactones in GBE (ginkgolides and bilobalide) also protect
nerve cells from damage during periods of ischemia or hypoxia. This
hypoxic tolerance is seen particularly in cerebral tissue, making
GBE an effective treatment for people who have suffered strokes or
transient ischemic attacks.
Ginkgo biloba extract serves as an antioxidant and a free-radical
scavenger and as such may be a possible deterrent to macular degeneration.
Studies suggest that ginkgo extract might also be useful in deterring
free-radical damage to the retina of the eye, as well as diabetic
retinopathy.
Few herbal remedies have been as extensively researched as has ginkgo
biloba extract, and the supplement seems to be one of our most useful
therapies for many complaints. Its efficacy has been well documented
throughout time.
For more information, contact Sandy Justice at sandraejustice@cs.com.
Sandy, and her husband Charles Lindstrom, are pharmacist/owners of
Nora Apothecary, an independent pharmacy practice specializing in
compounded medications (human and veterinary) and personal assessment
and counseling programs in nutritional supplementation, natural hormone
replacement, osteoporosis, and smoking cessation.
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