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Ginkgo Biloba: Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effects

Ginkgo Biloba: Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effects

Here are the health benefits associated with Ginkgo Biloba. Learn about its prevalence among older adults, its benefits for women, and recommended dosages for supplementation.

WOWMD StaffBy WOWMD Staff
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Ginkgo Biloba: Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effects

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Maidenhair tree also known as Ginkgo Biloba is one of the oldest trees found in existence today. It has been in use for centuries as one of the components of Chinese traditional medicine in treating diseases.

Today, it is famous for its possible positive impact on health, for example, on the brain and blood flow.

This article is going to talk about the potential advantages such as therapeutic effects, optimal amounts, possible adverse effects, and correlations with several other drugs.

What Is Ginkgo Biloba?

Ginkgo Biloba is an exotic tree that belongs to the category of deciduous trees, characterized by their unique leaves in the form of fans and a number of exclusive features of the plant’s evolution.

It is the living fossil originating from China and the oldest species’ fossils were found to be dated at 270 million years old. It should be noted that the leaves as well as seeds of Ginkgo Biloba are used for the production of extracts containing ingredients that have medicinal effects.

Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba

Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba for Health Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba for Health

Cognitive Benefits

Ginkgo Biloba can be said to be a herb that has been widely known to improve brain ability in the current world. Studies show it may help memory, concentration, and cogency. It has been categorized mainly as a supplement to enhance the functions of the brain, especially among the aging population because it has been shown to lessen the effect of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It has been realized that Ginkgo Biloba can enhance blood flow to the brain area which is very significant for the functions of that portion of the body.

READ MORE - Ginkgo Biloba Benefits for Brain

Sexual Health Benefits

Several researchers suggest that Ginkgo Biloba has an impact on sexual activity as well. This is quite pertinent if the dysfunction is among those caused by the regular intake of antidepressants. The effect of ginkgo biloba for erectile dysfunction is believed to improve blood circulation and dilate blood vessels, which may strengthen performance in bed and increase libido.

Cardiovascular Health

Ginkgo Biloba helps in maintaining heart health as it has an impact on blood circulation and decreases the chances of development of cardiovascular diseases. It can cause the opening up of blood vessels thus improving blood flow and can also reduce the thickness of blood. It is useful for peripheral artery disease and patients with Raynaud’s syndrome characterized by weak peripheral blood circulation.

Benefits for Women

In this case, Ginkgo Biloba offers particular advantages for women because it allows for decreasing the symptoms of PMS and improves mood. There is evidence that has indicated that it helps in reducing the condition of sore and tender breasts, as well as the emotional symptoms that are related to PMS.

Jennifer Pallian

Jennifer Pallian,

a Registered Dietitian and Food Scientist with extensive expertise, notes, “Ginkgo Biloba can enhance physiological sexual function in women by improving blood flow and relaxing smooth muscle tissue.” She also added, “Research indicates that, in women with sexual arousal disorder, combining Ginkgo Biloba with sex therapy has been shown to increase sexual desire and contentment more effectively than a placebo.”

Antioxidant Properties

Ginkgo Biloba contains special antioxidant compounds in the leaves; flavonoids and terpenoids are evident in this tree. These compounds assist in the treatment of oxidative stress as they remove free radicals and prevent cells from getting damaged and controlling inflammation. This antioxidant activity may also play a role in the protection of the body against chronic diseases.

Other Health Benefits

It has been proven effective in the reduction of anxiety signs and in improving eye health and the general health of the body. Several studies suggest that it may act in this specific area to minimize the occurrence of anxiety symptoms through the regulation of the stress response of the body. Also, antioxidant activity helps to prevent age’s damaging effects on the eyes including macular degeneration and glaucoma.

How Does Ginkgo Biloba Work?

Ginkgo Biloba in his/her main manner affects by bringing into focus the blood flow to various essential organs of the body and the brain. Their active ingredients, flavonoids, and terpenoids, have antioxidants that assist in shielding cells from injury. Ginkgo Biloba increases blood flow promoting the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, a factor that promotes healthy living and brain abilities.

Ginkgo Biloba Dosage

Recommended Dosage for Adults

The standard Ginkgo Biloba daily intake stands between 120 mg to 240 mg with the doses taken two or three times daily. From experience, it is advisable to begin by taking a small quantity of the substance and augment it as time goes on with a view of avoiding some of the side effects that are likely to be experienced.

Dosage for Specific Conditions

For patients with cognitive impairment that is brought about by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, up to 240 milligrams may be prescribed daily. In anxiety, the doses taken have been relatively low, to about 80 mg, with the drug taken thrice a day. It is always recommended to consult the healthcare provider for specific dosages of these medicines.

Guidelines for Safe Usage

The most important precaution that should be taken is that consumers should stick to the prescribed measurements in order to avoid complications. This may take weeks of using the application to be able to notice the useful impacts that they can offer. Ginkgo Biloba tends to have some side effects on the gastrointestinal tract and should therefore be taken with food.

Ginkgo Biloba Supplement Ginkgo Biloba Supplement

Ginkgo Biloba Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Despite these uses, certain side effects might be noted from the use of Ginkgo Biloba which include headache, dizziness, nausea, and skin rashes which are mild mostly. The above side effects are normally mild and will possibly subside as the body acclimatizes itself with the supplement.

Serious Side Effects

To be even more specific, the negative side effects of Ginkgo Biloba are very limited, however, in some cases, it might lead to more severe effects such as increased blood clotting time especially for people who are on anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents. Against this background, there have been incidences of seizures in people with epilepsy or those who use medications with a tendency to lower the seizure threshold.

Impact on Blood Pressure

Possible side effects of Ginkgo Biloba include the blood pressure of an individual. In the same respect, as much as some research points to the evidence of it reducing blood pressure slightly, others show an increase in the same. Therefore, those people who have hypertension or are taking blood pressure medicines should not take Ginkgo Biloba without consulting a doctor.

Interactions with Medications

Medications that Should Not Be Taken with Ginkgo Biloba

It is noted that the interaction of Ginkgo Biloba with other medicines may include anticoagulants such as warfarin, antiplatelet like aspirin, and certain antidepressants for example the SSRI. Such interactions can enhance the severity of complications such as bleeding and other adverse effects. It may also affect anticonvulsants leading to an increased risk of seizure and with certain types of diuretics resulting in the augmented risk of bleeding.

Potential Risks and Precautions

Patients with bleeding disorders, epilepsy, or those who are to undergo surgery should not take Ginkgo Biloba. This product should not be taken by pregnant and breastfeeding women without the permission of a doctor. Furthermore, to reduce the chances of having excessive bleeding, especially when one is about to undergo surgery, Ginkgo Biloba should be stopped at least two weeks before the intended surgery.

Conclusion

Ginkgo Biloba has positive effects on various functions, especially the ones related to the brain and blood flow. The supplement is safe but one must especially ensure they adhere to the directions provided and seek medical advice particularly if one is on other medications or has certain health conditions.

Having known such potential and certain recognized advantages, dosage, risks, and probabilities of adaptive side effects that Ginkgo Biloba can cause, people can make the right decision concerning the necessity of its inclusion in the strategies of personal health improvement.

FAQs

It is okay to take two Ginkgo Biloba tablets a day provided that the dosage per tablet is moderately higher than the other. The doses should be taken according to the instructions, and one should see a doctor especially if each pill is filled with a large amount of the extract.

Some Ginkgo Biloba supplements are labeled for daily dosage as low as 120 to 240 milligrams for adults. However, it is always recommended to seek the advice of a doctor especially for people with other medical conditions or for those on other medications.

Ginkgo Biloba has the potential to boost sexual activity although the latter is known to help in sexual disorders caused by antidepressants. Some work states that increasing blood flow and relaxing blood vessels can improve sexual performance and desire.

Overusing the medication tends to be counterproductive since it leads to increased side risk effects including headache, dizziness, and gastrointestinal problems. This is also productive to accelerate the danger of bleeding like those human beings who resort to consuming anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs.

Possible side effects are headaches, dizziness, upset stomach, and skin rash, which can indicate an allergic reaction. Some of the possible complications include a higher probability of bleeding, seizures, and contraindications with other drugs.

Ginkgo Biloba should not be taken with anticoagulants or other antiplatelet drugs, certain antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and specific diuretics because of the risk of bleeding and other interactions.

The effect of Ginkgo Biloba for the diminishment of the symptomatology of PMS and amelioration of mood in women. May help with breast soreness and feelings of irritability that can happen before your period.

Ginkgo Biloba has been known to enhance cognitive capacity, trigger memory, and concentration, and decrease the signs of dementia. It increases blood circulation in the brain and also the antioxidants that help to prevent the damage of the brain cells.

The doses are proposed to take 120 – 240 mg a day, with breakfast and lunch, or breakfast, lunch and late afternoon. Ideally, it is better to begin at a reduced level and then rise up to the desired level to avoid some complications.

Some studies indicate that Ginkgo Biloba can alter blood pressure; therefore, people with high blood pressure or those using blood pressure medicines should not take it. As for the pressure – some sources claim it reduces it, while others claim – increases it a little bit.

About WOWMD Staff

The WOWMD Staff category features a diverse team of writers, each bringing specialized knowledge in areas such as nutrition, fitness, wellness, and more. Articles in this category benefit from insights provided by multiple experts. All content is peer-reviewed and regularly updated to ensure compliance with our editorial standards.

References

  1. Ginkgo biloba - Maidenhair tree https://www.kew.org/plants/maidenhair-tree#:~:text=Though%20endangered%20in,3%2C500%20years%20old.
  2. Yale Nature Walk - Ginkgo https://naturewalk.yale.edu/trees/ginkgoaceae/ginkgo-biloba/ginkgo-41#:~:text=This%20ginkgo%20tree,a%20foul%20odor.
  3. Ginkgo biloba - Dementia and Alzheimer disease https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/ginkgo-biloba#:~:text=Dementia%20and%20Alzheimer,feelings%20of%20depression
  4. Antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction: impact, effects, and treatment https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3108697/#:~:text=Conflicting%20evidence%20on,may%20be%20appropriate.
  5. Efficacy and Safety of Ginkgo Biloba Pills for Coronary Heart Disease with Impaired Glucose Regulation: Study Protocol for a Series of N-of-1 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6204161/#:~:text=Coronary%20heart%20disease%20has%20become,patients%20with%20impaired%20glucose%20regulation.
  6. A Review of the Antioxidant Actions of Three Herbal Medicines (Crataegus monogyna, Ginkgo biloba, and Aesculus hippocastanum) on the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/ginkgo#:~:text=5.%20GINKGO,anticoagulants%20%5B80%5D.
  7. Ginkgo biloba: A Treasure of Functional Phytochemicals with Multimedicinal Applications https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8901348/#:~:text=Total%20lactones%20of,GSK3B%20%5B126%5D.
  8. Ginkgo biloba - How to Take it? https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/ginkgo-biloba#:~:text=Adult,the%20right%20dose.