MOD MEDICINE
There’s good reason ginkgo is so popular.
Ginkgo biloba is certainly one of the more fashionable medicinal herbs, with the ability to both enhance blood flow and work as an antioxidant. The ancient plant has become a common remedy in Europe, and its acclaim has spread to the U.S. as the interest in herbal medicine has grown.
Early use of the plant focused on benefits to the vascular system, including blood flow to the brain, as ginkgo is thought to alleviate complications from poor circulation in the head, such as dizziness or ringing ears [1]. It has also been shown to improve blood flow to the legs and is used for intermittent claudication, a condition in which the legs become very painful due to inadequate blood flow during light activity [2].
Ginkgo protects brain cells from injury and is commonly used to improve or maintain memory by increasing blood flow to the brain. Multiple studies have also shown that ginkgo can greatly benefit those with mild cases of dementia [3].
There are many other potential uses for ginkgo, though the evidence is not as convincing. A 1998 French study showed an improvement in PMS symptoms, particularly breast pain and emotional disturbance, in women taking 80 mg of ginkgo twice daily from day 16 through day 5 of the next menstrual cycle [4]. It’s certainly worth exploring for women bothered by these symptoms.
Less evidence favors the use of ginkgo to counteract impotence and decreased interest in sex caused by anti-depressant medications. There has been anecdotal support for this use, and again, because of gingko’s safety, it may be worth a trial.
Reported side effects include nausea, headaches or allergic skin reactions, but these cases are rare. Though it seems to be minor for most, especially at a dosage of 240 mg or less, caution is often advised regarding ginkgo’s effect on platelet stickiness and tendency to thin blood. If, while taking ginkgo, patients notice frequent nosebleeds, or bleed longer from cuts and scrapes, the dosage of ginkgo should be decreased and monitored. Also, ginkgo should be discontinued prior to and immediately following all surgeries or labor.
Dosage typically ranges from 60-240 mg daily of a standardized extract. Many studies utilized 120 mg a day which was typically well-tolerated. Given a solid safety record with only minor impact on the checkbook (ginkgo can cost as little as two dollars a month), for patients with ringing in the ears, vascular disease of the legs or early memory loss, it’s hard to argue against ginkgo.
References:
1. Robbers JE, Tyler VE. (1999) Tyler’s Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press.
2. Schneider B. (1992). Arzneimittel Forschung, 42: 428-436.
3. Birks J. et al. (2004). Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia. The Cochrane Library, issue 1, 2004.
4. Tamborini A., Taurelle R. (1993). Value of standardized Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in the management of congestive symptoms of premenstrual syndrome [translated from French]. Rev Fr Gynecol Obstet, 88:447-457.
