10 Amazing Health Benefits of Gingko Biloba

10 Amazing Benefits of Gingko Biloba for Health 

Gingko biloba is an ancient plant extract which has been used in China medicinally in order to heal different health illnesses for thousands of years.
Also known as Maidenhair, Gingko biloba is a prescription herb in Germany.

The extract of gingko biloba is very beneficial for elderly people. It can enhance the oxygen utilization and therefore improves concentration, memory as well as other mental faculties. This extract contains over 40 components, but only two of them, which are flavonoids and terpenoids, are believed to account for the health benefits of gingko biloba. Flavonoids, the plant-based antioxidants, have been studied to be able to protect the blood vessels, nerves, heart muscle, and retina from damage. On the other hand, terpenoids can support the blood flow by dilating blood vessels and decreasing the stickiness of the platelets.
Being one of the oldest living tree species, this plant is often used for brain and memory support, maintaining healthy arteries and blood and acting as an antioxidant. The top 10 proven health  benefits of gingko biloba are:


1. Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease
This plant was originally used to regulate the blood flow to the human brain. According to studies, it might protect the nerve cells from being damaged by Alzheimer’s disease. Gingko biloba can improve thinking and memory in those people impacted by vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Reducing Retinal Damage
Studies have proven that gingko biloba has antioxidant abilities that can improve the platelet as well as nerve cell functions and blood flow to the brain and nervous system. Also, it has been reported as decreasing blood viscosity. The ability of increasing vascular dilation might help decrease retinal damage because of macular degradation. Furthermore, it might reverse the deafness resulted from decreased blood flow.
3. Fighting Depression
Those people with depression also reported a significant improvement in the mood upon taking gingko biloba extract. Thus, this plant has been widely used for treating depression, particularly in the elderly.
This herb is known as an adapotgen herb naturally raising the ability of the human body to cope with worry and trouble. Particularly, it may be helpful for those with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD),
panic attacks, and social phobias.

4. Helping With Raynaud’s Disease
It is believed that Raynaud’s disease is caused by blood vessels over reacting to the spasm and cold, decreasing the blood flow and depriving the extremities of oxygen. Using Gingko biloba could help this problem by widening the small blood vessels, which might keep these spasms from blocking the blood flow.

5. Improving Glaucoma
It is studied that those people suffering from glaucoma if taking 120mg of gingko biloba every day for about 8 weeks reported an improvement in their vision. Even, some studies have found that gingko can lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration due to its platelet-activating factors and the prevention of membrane damage resulted from free radicals.
Vascular factors and oxidative damage are believed to be two main causes of vision loss as well as other age-related eye disorders; however, the antioxidant plants or herbs like gingko could help in mitigating those effects.

6. Enhancing Memory
Gingko biloba is a common “brain herb”. Studies have proven that it could boost the memory in those with dementia. Commonly added to the soft drinks, nutrition bars, or fruit smoothies, gingko biloba can enhance cognitive performance and memory.

7. Alleviating PMS Symptoms
Some studies have shown the positive effects of using gingko on decreasing the symptoms of PMS, including headaches, mood swings, muscle pain and fatigue. Also, it appears to have good effects on cognition and mood in those Postmenopausal  women.

8. Preventing Or Treating ADHD
Some studies applying the combination therapies which include gingko have found a relief and improved concentration for those people with ADHD symptoms. Additionally, as it could improve concentration, task performance, and memory, it could possibly also decrease the symptoms in individuals with dyslexia.

9. Lowering Asthma Symptoms
As gingko biloba could lower inflammation, promote antioxidant activity and provide positive effects on the nerve functioning, asthma sufferers have reported less difficulty in breathing upon taking gingko.

10. Healing Hemorrhoids
Using gingko can decrease lower pain, boost pain tolerance and decrease the inflammation. Therefore, it could help to stop the bleeding accompanied with hemorrhoids.


Author bio: Vanessa Tan is a Vietnamese-American author and MA in English literature. She is an enthusiastic article writer who has written many articles/online journals on natural health. Check her out at the website WikiYeah.com  and her Pinterest