Ginkgo Biloba has any real benefit to our health?

History 

The ginkgo biloba tree has been referred to as a “living fossil.” This is because it is the only living member of the Ginkgoales family. Its earliest fossils date back to 270 million years ago, which puts this tree on earth with the dinosaurs. The ginkgo biloba tree was prominent throughout North America, Europe, and Asia during the Cretaceous period (144 million years ago.).  

Global cataclysmic events caused a decrease in the number of Ginkgo and the extinction of dinosaurs and large reptiles, who helped disperse the seeds, may have also contributed to this decline. The Ginkgo disappeared from the North American fossil record approximately 7 million years ago and from Europe about 2.5 million years ago.

At that point, scientist believed it had become extinct, but it was later found in Japan. Engelbert Kaempfer, a German physician, and botanist found it in 1691. It had survived in China in the monasteries and temple gardens. The Buddhist monks had cultivated the tree since the 1100s. It later spread by seed to Japan and Korea. The ginkgo seeds were brought to Europe from Japan in the early 18th century and later that century to America. Most of these earlier trees were males. The trees in China were structurally the same as those fossils from millions of years before. There were some minor changes in ovule size, a decreased number of ovules, and reduction of individual ovule-stalks.
The medicinal use of ginkgo has a long history. The leaves and seeds (nuts) have both been used in traditional medicines. The earliest possible mention of the medicinal use of the leaves may have been during the Han dynasty between 206 BC and 220 AD. The first confirmed mention in literature is in 1436 which mentions the use of the leaves as a treatment for head sores and freckles. Western medicine began to look at the use of Ginkgo in the 1950s.

Benefits.

Ginkgo biloba may offer a range of health benefits, including improving cognitive function. Traditional uses are wide-ranging, but not all of them have been confirmed by research.
The leaves are very rich in flavonoids. Most importantly kaempferol glycoside, quercetin glycoside, the bitter ginkgolides A, B, C, J and M, and bilobalide.
The herb also contains tannins, phenols, bilobol and few potentially harmful
substances like ginkgotoxin (4-O-methoxypyridoxine) and ginkgolic acids.
Ginkgo reduces the platelet activity factor (PAF) in the blood, similar to the action of aspirin on blood thinning. Excessive PAF has been linked to cardiovascular disease, brain damage, hearing disorders and other immune and inflammatory diseases. 
There is some evidence indicating that ginkgo can help people with dementia, although more studies are required to confirm this.

The benefits may include:

• improved thinking and memory
• better social behavior
• better ability to perform everyday tasks

One study found that an extract of ginkgo biloba, so called EGb 761, was clinically effective in treating Alzheimer’s dementia.
Ginko biloba increases the body’s production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main source of energy at the cellular level. ATP has been shown to enhance brain´s ability to convert glucose into energy and to increase the electrical activity.
The ginkgo flavonoids soften the thin capillaries, which has a positive effect on all the body’s organs, especially the brain. Because of the herb’s potential antioxidant properties, it can be beneficial for the brain, retina and cardiovascular system which can lead to less damage by free radicals, age-related decline of brain function and naturally slowing down the aging process.
It may also increase metabolism, regulate neurotransmitters, and boost oxygen transport to the brain.



Anxiety.
Ginkgo may help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety.
A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, found that people with generalized anxiety disorder who took ginkgo experienced better anxiety relief than those who took a placebo.

Glaucoma. 
One small study observed improvements in the vision of people with glaucoma who took 120 milligrams a day of gingko over a period of 8 weeks. Some studies have also suggested that gingko may help people withmacular degeneration to keep their sight for longer.

Potential Side Effects of Ginkgo Biloba. 

Standardized ginkgo biloba where the harmful and allergenic substances have been removed is very safe to use when taken at the recommended dosages. 

Individuals taking anticoagulant medication such as aspirin or warfarin should not use ginkgo biloba without consulting their physician. 
Those on monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or who might be pregnant should also consult their physician before use. Also, people who take Xanax for anxietyahould not use ginkgo, because ginkgo may reduce the drug’s effectiveness. 
Side effects associated with ginkgo biloba use include: increased risk of bleeding, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, and restlessness. If any side effects are experienced use of ginkgo biloba should be discontinued.

Risks. 
As with any medication, care is needed to prevent interactions with other drugs and other risks. Even ibuprofen combined with Gingko can increase the risk of internal bleeding.
Patients with blood circulation disorders or individuals on anticoagulants, such as aspirin, are at risk of experiencing undesirable effects after taking ginkgo.
Those taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) as antidepressants should not take ginkgo as it inhibits monoamine oxidase, reducing the effectiveness of the medications.
Combining the two may also increase the risk of a potentially fatal condition known as serotonin syndrome. Examples of SSRIs are Prozac, or fluoxetine, and sertraline, also known as Zoloft.
Gingko can also exaggerate both the good and bad effects of another type of antidepressant, known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Ginkgo leaves contain long-chain alkylphenols, which are highly allergenic. People who are allergic to poison ivy and other plants with alkylphenols should completely avoid taking ginkgo.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health state that eating raw or roasted ginkgo seeds can be poisonous and may lead to serious side effects.


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                                                                  Ginkgo Biloba