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The Effects of Ginkgo Biloba on Memory
Originally published in Natural Living MagazineThe Ginkgo tree has amazing medicinal properties. The Chinese have used the nut as a tonic for the whole body for thousands of years. Today medical researchers have isolated compounds from the leaf that display profound effects on human physiology.
Studies are showing the beneficial effects Ginkgo has in slowing memory loss, alleviating depression and improving alertness, making this an appropriate herbal remedy for those advancing in years. Some compounds contained in the leaves regulate blood flow to many parts of the body including the brain. The evidence suggests that active components, known as flavonoids, control levels of certain neurotransmitters that affect memory, mood and alertness. Furthermore, these flavonoids appear to block enzymes, called platelet activating factors (PAFs), which often over-stimulate the immune system, thus leading to conditions such as asthma, toxic shock from bacterial poisons, atherosclerosis, and stroke.
Considering such remarkable medicinal qualities, we will briefly look at the history of Ginkgo (Ginkgo Biloba) from its earliest evolution some 150 million years ago. It has survived unchanged since that time, making it the oldest species of tree on Earth. Ginkgo's ancestors may be traced back even further, up to 250 million years. Petrified remains of extensive Ginkgo forests can be seen today in many parts of the world; one site is in Washington State near the Columbia River. During the last ice age, Ginkgo's numbers were greatly reduced. The largest populations survived in Asia, where they still grow in their native surroundings. Individual trees are known to live for at least a thousand years. The trees were often honored in sacred temple gardens as well as cultivated for their medicine.
Today, Ginkgo trees have been introduced to countries around the world to act as shade trees for city parks and streets. I first saw one at the edge of a busy parking lot in Toronto. It was the only tree in the area that had not been adversely affected by pollution. Although this particular tree was said to be only 50 years old, it was massive with spreading gnarly branches that pleased the eye, particularly in winter after its fan-shaped leaves had fallen. It stood regally against the winter sky.
Imagine having your own Ginkgo tree established for future generations to enjoy and use for the valuable medicine it contains. A few years ago, I discovered a company that sold Ginkgo nut for cultivation. I grew one in the house which reached a height of 7 - 8 inches within two or three years. Unfortunately, I made the fatal mistake of prematurely placing it outside in the harsh Saskatchewan weather where it quickly succumbed. Known in Chinese medicine as Pak-Ko, the nut has been used for over 5000 years. The Chinese eat the nuts as a delicacy as well as for their strengthening and tonic properties. A tea of the leaf is used as as a gargle to relieve asthma. Interestingly enough, modern studies have shown that a group of compounds called ginkgolides can be isolated from the leaves and can help reduce the reactions that asthma sufferers have with common allergens such as dust and pollen.
In the last couple of decades Western herbal medicine has been focusing on other compounds found in the leaf. One family of compounds, called terpenes, was recently discovered in the leaf, and has shown an ability to block the production of PAFs, which may be the primary chemical agents responsible for bronchial reactivity. As mentioned above, compounds extracted from the leaf have the remarkable ability to enhance blood flow to the head, to regulate neurotransmitters, and govern brain metabolism. The herb enhances the integrity of myelin sheaths which speeds impulse transmission and increases the uptake and utilization of glucose by all cells of the body.
Since it is recognized that poor cerebral circulation adversely affects memory, concentration, intellectual ability, vision, and equilibrium (leading to symptoms such as headaches, depression and mental confusion), one cannot over-emphasize how vital blood circulation is to our health and well-being. The quality of blood circulation (meaning the overall flow, how well the blood carries nutrients to the cells, and how efficiently waste products of cellular metabolism are removed) directly affects the health of every cell in the body. For these reasons this herb is helpful for many disorders; for example, it is one of the most useful natural remedies for senile dementia. In one study in which elderly patients with cerebral insufficiency were given Ginkgo leaf extract, 75% showed improvement in blood flow to the brain. A British study demonstrated that a group of young women had better memory skills after taking Ginkgo leaf. One of the most fascinating and encouraging findings about Ginkgo leaf extract is that the beneficial agents tend to concentrate in the brain tissues, thus having an ongoing effect on symptoms associated with the aging process. The brain needs two key substances to maintain proper function: glucose and oxygen. Glucose (a type of sugar) is an energy source for the brain which is required in a steady and constant supply to sustain all brain activity. Ginkgo has been shown to increase the brain's uptake and utilization of glucose as well as to protect it in conditions of low oxygen.
In general, any condition that can be improved with increased blood flow will benefit from regular use of Ginkgo. For example, Ginkgo has been shown to be an excellent agent for treating impotence. Without any change in systemic blood pressure, Ginkgo has a direct effect on cells which enhance blood flow of both penile arteries and veins. Restriction of blood flow to the legs and other extremities - peripheral arterial insufficiency (PAI) as doctors call it - becomes increasingly common with age. PAI is usually due to hardening of the arteries, plaque build-up, loss of blood-vessel flexibility and the consequences of poor eating and living habits such as smoking. Poor blood circulation to the extremities results in reduced movement, cramping and numbness. With improved diet and regular Ginkgo supplementation, it has been shown that these symptoms are greatly reduced. The major cause of hearing disorders is a reduction of blood circulation in the ears. Ginkgo helps to protect against and even restore impaired hearing, especially when it is due to damage from loud noise or infection. In one study, a combination of chiropractic manipulation and regular doses of Ginkgo extract was found to be highly effective. In another study, it was shown that tinnitus (ringing in the ears) was greatly reduced or completely disappeared within 70 days of taking the extract in 35% of patients tested.
Ginkgo leaf is commonly sold in extract form. It may also be taken as a tincture or tea, although for more reliable and sustainable results preference would be to ingest the extract through a capsule form.
By Kahlee Keane, Herbalist
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