Health Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was written by Pharmacist Dinh Thi My Hanh - Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest living trees in the world. Most ginkgo products are made with extracts from the dried green leaves of the plant and are commonly available as liquid extracts, capsules, tablets, and teas.

1. Ingredients of Ginkgo biloba

The most useful components of Ginkgo biloba are believed to be flavonoids, which are potent antioxidants that protect cells from harmful free radicals and terpenoids, which improve blood circulation by dilating blood vessels and reducing platelet "stickiness".
Most research on Ginkgo biloba focuses on its effects on dementia, dementia, and pain caused by too little blood flow (claudication).

2. The effect of Ginkgo Biloba in the treatment of diseases

2.1 Dementia and Alzheimer's disease

Ginkgo biloba has the following effects:
Improve thinking and memory Improve social behavior Better ability to perform daily tasks A study found that extract from Ginkgo biloba, known as Ginkgo biloba EGb 761 , is clinically effective in the treatment of Alzheimer's dementia .
Another study, published in JAMA, similarly concluded that EGb 761 is safe to use and possibly effective in stabilizing and possibly improving cognitive and social functioning of patients with dementia. dementia between 6 and 12 months.
Researchers believe that ginkgo improves cognitive function because it promotes good blood circulation in the brain and protects the brain and other parts from nerve cell damage. However, other research suggests that ginkgo may not improve memory in healthy people.
The effects of Ginkgo biloba in enhancing memory have had mixed results. While some evidence suggests that ginkgo extract may modestly improve memory in healthy adults, most studies indicate that ginkgo does not improve memory, attention, or function. Brain.

2.2 Anxiety disorders

Ginkgo can help ease symptoms of anxiety.
A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that people with generalized anxiety disorder taking Ginkgo biloba reduced anxiety better than those taking a placebo.

2.3 Increased intraocular pressure

One small study observed an improvement in vision in people with glaucoma who took 120 mg of ginkgo daily for an 8-week period. Some research also suggests that ginkgo may help people with macular degeneration keep their vision longer.
In studies, adults took Ginkgo biloba 120 to 240 mg daily in divided doses for 4 to 6 weeks before improvements were noted.
Possible side effects of taking Ginkgo biloba include: nausea, dizziness, headache, stomach upset, diarrhea, restlessness, vomiting, skin allergies... Ginkgo and other supplements should only be used after consulting a doctor.

As with any medication, taking Ginkgo biloba requires care to prevent interactions with other medications. Some possible drug interactions:
Alprazolam: Anxiolytics taken with Ginkgo biloba may decrease the effectiveness of Alprazolam. Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs, medicines, herbs, and supplements that reduce blood clotting when taken with Ginkgo biloba can increase the risk of bleeding. Antiepileptic drugs: Large amounts of ginkgo toxin can cause seizures. Ginkgo Xin is found in ginkgo seeds and to a lesser extent ginkgo leaves. Taking Ginkgo biloba might decrease the effectiveness of antiepileptic drugs. Antidepressants: Taking Ginkgo biloba with certain antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), sertraline (Zoloft), and imipramine (Tofranil) might decrease its effectiveness. Certain statins: Taking ginkgo with simvastatin (Zocor) may decrease the effectiveness of the drug. Ginkgo also seems to decrease the effects of atorvastatin (Lipitor). Diabetes medications: Ginkgo biloba might change your body's response to these medications. Ibuprofen. Combining Ginkgo biloba with ibuprofen might increase the risk of bleeding. Do not eat raw or roasted ginkgo seeds as they can be toxic.
Should read the instructions for use carefully or consult a doctor or medical staff if necessary.

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Articles source references: webmd.com, medicalnewstoday.com, mayoclinic.org