Ginkgo is one of the oldest living tree species and its leaves are among the most extensively studied botanicals in use today. In Europe and the United States, ginkgo supplements are among the best-selling herbal medications. It consistently ranks as a top medicine prescribed in France and Germany.

Ginkgo has been used in traditional medicine to treat circulatory disorders and enhance memory. Scientific studies throughout the years have found evidence to support these uses. Ginkgo may be especially effective in treating dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) and intermittent claudication (poor circulation in the legs). It also shows promise for enhancing memory in older adults. Laboratory studies have shown that ginkgo improves blood circulation by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of blood platelets.

Ginkgo leaves contain two types of chemicals (flavonoid and terpenoid) believed to have potent antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals compounds in the body that damage cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death. Free radicals occur naturally in the body and grow in number as we age. But environmental toxins (including ultraviolet light, radiation, cigarette smoking, and air pollution) can also increase the number of free radicals. Free radicals are believed to contribute to health problems including heart disease and cancer as well as Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Antioxidants such as those found in ginkgo can help neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.

What is Ginkgo biloba ?
Ginkgo Biloba is an herb derived from the maidenhair tree. It is well known for its Antioxidant and detoxifying properties.
It has been used for many years as a remedy for various conditions. The leaves are used as an extract to provide the supplement Ginkgo Biloba. The trees leaves have been used more and more in the expanding market for the use of alternative medicines. In the past the seeds were used more often as a source of extract for the remedy.

Ginkgo is the most widely used phytomedicine that is being sold in Europe, and is one of the top 10 best selling alternative medicines in America. Ginkgo is also a neroprotective agent which is believed to be where it's actions come from for its benefits as well as its antioxidant properties.

Several studies have found that ginkgo may be as effective as prescription Alzheimer's medications in delaying the symptoms of dementia. However, one of the longest and best-designed studies found ginkgo was no better than placebo in reducing Alzheimer's symptoms. In a 2008 study, 176 people in the United Kingdom with Alzheimer's took either ginkgo or placebo for 6 months. At the end of the study there was no difference in cognitive function or quality of life between the groups.

Intermittent Claudication
Because ginkgo improves blood flow, it has been studied in people with intermittent claudication (pain caused by reduced blood flow to the legs). People with intermittent claudication have a hard time walking without feeling extreme pain. An analysis of eight published studies revealed that people taking ginkgo tend to walk roughly 34 meters farther than those taking placebo. In fact, ginkgo has been shown to be as effective as a prescription medication in improving pain-free walking distance.

Glaucoma
One small study found that people with glaucoma who took 120 mg of ginkgo daily for 8 weeks had improvements in their vision.

Memory Enhancement
Ginkgo is widely touted as a "brain herb." It has been studied to see whether it can improve memory in people with dementia, and some studies found it did help. The most effective dose seems to be greater than or equal to 240 mg per day. Ginkgo is commonly added to nutrition bars, soft drinks, and fruit smoothies to boost memory and enhance cognitive performance.

Macular Degeneration
The flavonoids found in ginkgo may help stop or lessen some retinal problems (problems with the back part of the eye). Macular degeneration (often called age-related macular degeneration or ARMD) is an eye disease that affects the retina. It is a progressive, degenerative eye disease that tends to affect older adults and is the number one cause of blindness in the United States. Some studies suggest that gingko may help preserve vision in those with ARMD.

Doses
Pediatric
Ginkgo is not generally used in children.
Adult
Initial results often take 4 - 6 weeks, but should grow stronger beyond that period.
Memory impairment and cardiovascular function: Generally, 120 mg daily in divided doses, standardized to contain 24 - 32% flavone glycosides (flavonoids or heterosides) and 6 - 12% triterpene lactones (terpenoids). If more serious dementia or Alzheimer's disease is present, up to 240 mg daily, in 2 or 3 divided doses, may be necessary.
Intermittent claudication: 120 - 240 mg per day

Possible Side effects / Precautions / Possible Interactions:
GBE is generally considered to be safe, and side effects are rare. In a few cases, gastrointestinal upset, headaches, skin reactions, and dizziness were reported.
If you take gingko, you should stop taking it at least 36 hours prior to surgery or dental procedures due to the risk of bleeding complications.
People who have epilepsy should not take gingko, because there is concern that it might cause seizures.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take gingko.

Do not eat Ginkgo biloba fruit or seed.

Interactions:
Ginkgo may alter the metabolism and effectiveness of some prescription and non-prescription medications. If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use ginkgo without first talking to your health care provider:

Anticonvulsant medications -- High doses of ginkgo could make drugs to control seizures, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) or valproic acid (Depakote), less effective.

Antidepressants -- Taking ginkgo along with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) antidepressants may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal condition. Ginkgo may enhance the effects (both good and bad) of antidepressant medications known as MAOIs, such as phenelzine (Nardil). SSRIs include:
Citalopram (Celexa)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Sertraline (Zoloft)

Antihypertensive (blood pressure) medications -- Ginkgo may lower blood pressure. For that reason, if you take medication to lower your blood pressure you should ask your doctor before taking gingko. There has been a report of an interaction between ginkgo and nifedipine (Procardia), a calcium channel blocker used for blood pressure and arrhythmias.

Blood-thinning medications -- Ginkgo has blood-thinning properties and should not be used if you are taking anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications. There has been bleeding in the brain reported when using a ginkgo product and ibuprofen (Advil), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Blood-thinners include:
Aspirin
Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Heparin
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Medications to lower blood sugar -- Ginkgo may increase insulin levels in healthy subjects and decrease insulin levels in people with diabetes. If you have diabetes, you should not use gingko without first talking to your doctor.

Cylosporine -- Ginkgo biloba may help protect the cells of the body during treatment with the drug cyclosporine, which suppresses the immune system.

Thiazide diuretics(water pills) -- There is one report of a person who took a thiazide diuretic and gingko experiencing high blood pressure. If you take thiazide diuretics, ask your doctor before taking gingko.

Trazodone -- There is one report of an elderly Alzheimer's patient going into a coma after taking ginkgo and trazodone (Desyrel), an antidepressant medication

Research studies / References