It’s a splendid day to find out about the health benefits of Ginkgo biloba.
Ginkgo biloba is a huge tree that’s used for generations for food and traditional medication. You can call it in its other names like Ginkgo, Gingko, and Maidenhair Tree.
Here is a list of some of the health benefits of Ginkgo Biloba.
1. Ginkgo Biloba Is A Good Source Of Certain Nutrients
Ginkgo Biloba is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium.
You can also get calcium, iron, magnesium, protein, and vitamin D.
2. May Help Reduce PMS Symptoms
Ginkgo Biloba has been observed to reduce or treat premenstrual symptoms, both physically and psychologically.
Based on this study (A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of Ginkgo biloba L. in treatment of premenstrual syndrome), it was able to reduce PMS symptoms for up to 23% against a placebo group of 8%.
3. Ginkgo Biloba Is Good For Your Brain
Ginkgo Biloba is used to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. It’s even used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline because of aging.
Here is an example (Ginkgo Biloba for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease) of this study on how Ginkgo Biloba may help with Alzheimer’s.
Here is another example (Ginkgo biloba Extract 761: A Review of Basic Studies and Potential Clinical Use in Psychiatric Disorders) of Ginkgo Biloba showing that it can reduce symptoms of anxiety.
However, some studies showed no significant results. So there’s still a mixed field about this.
But some researchers believed that the positive effects on the brain by Ginkgo Biloba are caused by its ability to improve blood circulation and its anti-inflammatory properties.
4. May Improve Sexual Health
Seme people believe consuming Ginkgo Biloba can help boost your sexual health.
They even claim that it can treat sexual dysfunctions like erectile dysfunction and having low libido.
The main reason for this to happen is probably because of its ability to improve blood flow, including the parts of your body that are concerned with sexual health.
One study (Short- and long-term effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on sexual dysfunction in women) even suggests that Ginkgo Biloba extracts helped increase sexual desires in women.
5. Ginkgo Biloba Contains Antioxidants
Ginkgo Biloba has very high contents of flavonoids and terpenoids that are very strong antioxidants.
This could be the main reason why this plant is used for many traditional treatments.
Here’s an example (The antioxidant activity of standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) in rats) of a study that shows how significant Ginkgo Biloba’s antioxidant activity is.
Antioxidants fight the harmful effects of free radicals that can cause different kinds of diseases.
6. Helps Manage Pain
Ginkgo Biloba has mild analgesic properties.
The source of this effect is traced to its anti-inflammatory properties.
While the inflammation or swelling is being relieved, some of the pain goes away as well.
7. Ginkgo Biloba May Help Support Eye Health
Ginkgo Biloba may help keep your eyes healthy.
According to this study (Ginkgo biloba and its potential role in glaucoma), Ginkgo Biloba extracts helped increase blood flow to the eyes. It also showed antioxidant activity and vascular effects that may help treat glaucoma.
8. May Help With Your Heart’s Health
Some text will say that Ginkgo Biloba can reduce blood pressure and even reduce blood clots.
This is beneficial in keeping your heart healthy.
Ginkgo Biloba can dilate your blood vessels which promote smoother blood flow.
Here is a published study (Ginkgo biloba extract-induced relaxation of rat aorta) that can tell you more about what was mentioned above.
9. Ginkgo Biloba Has Anti-inflammatory Properties
Several studies suggest that Ginkgo Biloba has anti-inflammatory properties.
It can be helpful with certain conditions like arthritis, heart disease, irritable bowel disease, and stroke.
In particular, in this study (Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 has anti-inflammatory properties) conducted on mice, researchers noticed that this plant can inhibit inflammatory markers.
Although most of the studies are conducted are with animal subjects, there are already anecdotal claims of it being effective to us, humans.
Aswagandha is another popular plant that’s used in supplements. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
If you want to know more about ashwagandha’s health benefits, you can check my article here.
10. Is Beneficial To Your Skin
Ginkgo Biloba can help maintain the youth of your skin.
The presence of antioxidants in this plant gives it its anti-aging effects.
It can help prevent or delay signs of aging in your skin like wrinkles and spots.
11. Ginkgo Biloba May Help Relieve Headaches And Migraines
Ginkgo Biloba has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat headaches and migraines.
Although there are not many studies to conclude this, most researchers believe that increased blood flow and reduced inflammation are the main reasons for this effect.
12. May Help Improve Hair Health
Ginkgo Biloba is used to promote beautiful and healthy hair.
It can stimulate hair growth and make your hair shine.
It can also prevent hair loss and hair thinning.
13. Ginkgo Biloba May Help Improve Blood Circulation
Traditional Chinese medicine uses Ginkgo Biloba to open “channels” of energy to different organs or parts of your body.
In today’s medicine, this could mean the circulation of nutrients and oxygen to parts of your body.
In this study (Ginkgo biloba extract improves coronary artery circulation in patients with coronary artery disease), researchers noticed increased blood flow to different parts of the body.
It was also stated that there was a 12% increase of nitric oxide circulating thus blood vessels were dilated and the flow of blood was better.
14. May Help Relieve Symptoms Of Asthma
Some research suggests that Ginkgo Biloba helps treat symptoms of asthma and other respiratory tract diseases caused by inflammations.
In this study (A novel anti-inflammatory role for ginkgolide B in asthma via inhibition of the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway), Ginkgo Biloba was able to reduce inflammation of the airways and also increase lung capacity.
Conclusion
These are just some of the health benefits of Ginkgo Biloba that you can get.
I haven’t seen its true form or the tree itself but it’s popular as a supplement in the market.
For its health benefits, I have to go with its anti-inflammatory properties. This is the one I need the most right now.
What’s the one you need in this list of health benefits of Ginkgo Biloba?
Like other herbs, foods, or medicinal plants, you should always inquire first with your doctor or health professional if it’s safe for you to consume or use it.
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