Ginkgo biloba

I have seen MRI brain images of patients who are under Ginkgo extract treatment. There was an obvious blood circulation differences between before and after treatment images. Main active constituents of Ginkgo are a special type of sesquiterpene lactones, ginkgolides. Obviously other constituents such as biflavonoids also have beneficial effects on the circulatory system, however, much of the pharmacological effects of Ginkgo extract is due to ginkgolides.

If you'd like to learn more about pharmacological effects of Ginkgolides please refer to:

1. Gingkgolides, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacology and Clinical Perspectives, Volume 1, 794 pgs., P. Braquet (Edit.), J. R. Prous Science Publishers (1988) and C. Bruno et al.,
2. Regeneration of Motor Nerves in Bilobalide-Treated Rats, Planta Medica 1993; pages 59, 302-307

• Botanical name: Ginkgo biloba
• Synonyms:
  
  • Ginkgo tree
    
  • Maidenhair tree
    
• Parts used:
  
  • Leaves:
    
    • Relaxation of blood vessels
      
    • Antioxidant
      
    • Inhibit platelet aggregation
      
    • Increase peripheral and cerebral blood flow
      
    • Cardiovascular tonic
      
    • Brain tonic
      
  • Nut:
    
    • Expectorant
      
    • Stop discharges
      
• Qualities:
  
  • Bitter
    
  • Neutral
    
• Dosage:
  Note: the clinical research on efficacy of Ginkgo all utilized extracts which are standardized to 24% of the heteroside flavonoids. In order to get a therapeutically effective concentration of flavonoids from an alcohol tincture of Ginkgo, the equivalent dose of 1 oz. q.d. would contain tannins in concentrations able to cause gastrointestinal distress.
  • Tincture: 1 - 4 ml.; see above note
    
  • Powder: 400 - 1600 mg
    
  • Capsules: 2 - 4 up to t.i.d.
    
• Therapy:
  • Nut: wheezing and coughing with sputum, leukorrhea, urinary incontinence
  • Leaves: arterial insufficiency, ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease (it affects both arteries and veins); failing mental faculties; tinnitus
• Toxicity: 1; see tannin toxidrome
  
• Constituents: lignans, flavonoids, mainly flavone glycosides; terpenes, traces of essential oil, tannins, organic acids, carotenoids
  
• No contraindications, although a case was reported of an increase in preexisting hypotension
  
• Handling of the fresh fruit may cause contact dermatitis due to its phenolic compounds (Baer, p. 165 (Kinghorn); Muenscher, p. 12)
  
• Improperly prepared fruits or seeds may act as a nauseant, and damage the liver and kidneys (Westbrooks and Preacher, p. 6; Altonen).
  

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Updated: April 9, 1997