Using Ginkgo biloba to Improve Memory: What You Need to Know
Are you looking for a reliable herbal supplement to support your memory health? Not sure which nutrients you should consider? If you are not already familiar with the popular Ginkgo biloba, you may be asking yourself: what is Ginkgo biloba? How effective is it? How does it help prevent memory loss?
Fortunately, you are not alone—Ginkgo biloba is one of the most widely used memory supplements on the market; and one of the most thoroughly studied for its effectiveness.
Are you considering adding Ginkgo biloba extracts into your supplement regimen? It is helpful to understand its benefits and why so many people choose to take Ginkgo biloba to support memory and brain health daily.
Explore a close look at everything you need to know about Ginkgo biloba for memory and brain health; and what you should consider before taking ginkgo leaf extract.
What Is Ginkgo biloba?
Ginkgo biloba is also called ginkgo leaf extract. Originally from the leaf of the ginkgo tree and a plant native to parts of East Asia.
The ginkgo tree and its leaves and fruits have been a critical ingredient in Chinese traditional medicine for thousands of years.
Prized as both a food source and possession of medicinal properties, the gingko tree and its fruits are eaten widely throughout China, Japan, and other cultures. The Ginkgo biloba has become so popular that Tokyo recognizes it as their official tree.
One of the oldest cultivated plants in human history, the ginkgo tree (also known as simply ginkgo or maidenhair) is a fascinating specimen. Ginkgo is considered a living fossil, showing remarkable stability even after millions of years—with the earliest actual ginkgo leaf fossils dating back to the Jurassic period.
Highly resilient and able to live for decades (and in some reported instances, even centuries), the ginkgo tree is known for its ability to withstand extreme weather and changing environments. Ginkgo trees are highly durable, found growing near Hiroshima after the nuclear blast, where other plants had died shortly after impact.
Why Do People Take Ginkgo biloba?
Although the Ginkgo has been used for millennia to treat many ailments, most modern users take the Ginkgo biloba to improve memory, sharpen their cognitive abilities, and boost their brain performance.
Ginkgo is currently among the most used supplements throughout the world, trusted by millions of people worldwide to provide relief for symptoms from a wide variety of ailments.
As a result, there has been much study on Ginkgo biloba and its medicinal uses.
How Does Ginkgo biloba Impact Brain Health?
There have long been many traditional reasons individuals take Ginkgo biloba for health. Modern medicine and scientific studies have identified several areas where ginkgo leaf extracts may play a role in protecting overall brain and body health.
Increase Blood Flow to the Brain
Medically, the Ginkgo biloba can increase blood flow throughout the body, particularly to the brain. It can help deliver more oxygen to areas of the brain, which may help stimulate cranial regions responsible for memory.
Antioxidant Protection from Gingko
Ginkgo leaf extract may act as an antioxidant, which can be highly beneficial to removing free radicals in the body and help protect against diseases like cancer, heart disease, or other ailments.
Reducing Discomfort from Inflammation
Some studies show that the Ginkgo biloba supports a healthy inflammation response in the brain and may even support the body’s ability to repair physical trauma. It may be highly beneficial for preventing long-term effects such as brain swelling, especially in cases caused by exposure to heavy metals or mold. A 2008 study of the Ginkgo biloba and its impact on mice suggested that extracts from the Ginkgo biloba could hold particularly effective anti-inflammatory properties.
Reduce Stress
According to one study, an extract of Ginkgo biloba may be effective at helping to reduce the symptoms of stress. It can help avoid risk factors like stress, panic attacks, feelings of fear, and other anxiety symptoms. Learn techniques for how to reduce stress and feel your best.
Is Ginkgo Leaf Extract Safe to Take?
Humans have been using Ginkgo biloba medicinally for thousands of years, and the plant, its fruit, and its extracts have become a widely used supplement for supporting healthy brain function and other healthy body functions.
Some studies suggest that moderate, controlled dosages, extracts from Ginkgo biloba are safe to take orally.
Those at particular risk of bleeding disorders may want to consult with a physician before taking the Ginkgo biloba, as the increased blood flow from ginkgo supplements may interact with these conditions.
Similarly, it is crucial to talk with your doctor about your current drug regimen before taking ginkgo extracts, as the effects of the Ginkgo biloba may interact with other chemicals like anti-anxiety medication or antidepressants.
Ginkgo biloba and Memory Performance
In 2003, a team of researchers at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute conducted a study to answer the question does gingko biloba help with memory. They tested whether people with age-associated memory impairment could see improvement in their memory performance from taking herbal Ginkgo biloba.
The study measured the impact of Ginkgo biloba supplements compared to a placebo in 10 subjects, all aged 45 to 75 years old. While some patients received supplements twice daily, others received a placebo for six months. During this time frame, they tested subjects for factors of verbal recall and other signs of memory loss using positron-emission tomography (PET). This imaging technique helps visualize changes in metabolic or biochemical processes in their brains.
The result: all subjects who received the Ginkgo biloba supplements demonstrated better verbal recall than those receiving the placebo.
The length of time involved in this study and the results observed in subjects provide significant evidence that Ginkgo biloba may be essential in improving memory loss in people experiencing age-related memory loss problems.
Further details on the study: UCLA researchers find Ginkgo biloba may help improve memory.
Want To Protect Your Memory? Ginkgo Leaf Extract May Be Able to Help.
If you are looking for ways to protect your memory and improve brain performance, natural herbal supplements may provide significant benefits to keep your brain sharp well into old age.
Ginkgo leaf extract may be one of the most effective herbal supplements for this purpose—combining success in recent clinical studies with thousands of years of traditional use as a medicinal remedy for a wide range of ailments.
Are you considering Ginkgo biloba for memory health? It is worthwhile talking with a trusted medical professional to see just how effective it can be for your brain performance.
- Tags: ginkgo biloba, ingredients, nutrition
