Also known as maidenhair, Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest tree species in the world, dating back some 300 million years .This ancient herb has extensive health benefits as we shall find out here.
Health Benefit 1: Brain Health
Thanks to Ginkgo biloba’s vasodilating effects, it maintains proper flow of blood to the brain. The uptake of glucose by brain cell enhances transmission of nerve impulses. Biloba safeguards the brain from degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. It also improves short-term memory among the people living with such conditions. Ginkgo biloba boosts blood flow to all areas of the brain and increases amount of dopamine circulation. This helps prevent one from suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
Health Benefit 2: Relieves Intermittent Claudication
Intermittent claudication is a peripheral artery Disease (PAD) clinical diagnosis characterized by muscle pain, numbness or sense of fatigue, hence making walking difficult. Research has shown that people with this condition who take ginkgo biloba are able to walk longer without feeling the pain, compared to those who don’t.
Health benefit 3: Eye Health
Ginkgo Biloba improves eye health, improving vision as well as warding off other eye problems such as macular degeneration. It contains flavonoids which alleviate the symptoms.
Health Benefit 4: Treats Depression
Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) has been found to uplift mood especially among the elderly. This boost in mood levels is important in overcoming symptoms of depression.
Health Benefit 5:Anti-oxidant Properties
Ginkgo biloba’s fights free radicals in the body, hence initiating repair of any damaged cells. Its extract, commonly known as Ginkgo biloba Extract (GBE) assists in delaying onset of cancers and heart diseases. The ability of this anti-oxidant to stop cell damage plays a role in slowing down aging process.
Health Benefit 6: Treats Impotency
Impotence results from impaired flow of blood to the reproductive organs in men. Atherosclerosis has been a major culprit in the development of this condition. Ginkgo biloba alleviates it by improving the flow of blood to the affected parts with 50% success among the users.
Health benefit 7: Alleviates Reynaud’s Disease
Ginkgo biloba helps in alleviating Reynaud’s disease, a condition brought about by overreaction of blood vessels to cold and spasm. This overreaction lowers blood flow to the affected regions, depriving them of the much needed oxygen. By widening the tiny blood vessels, ginkgo biloba unblocks them and minimizes the spasms, allowing free flow of blood.
Health Benefit 8: Cardiovascular Health
Gingko biloba extracts have been linked to treatment of stroke. GBE stops formation of blood clots and also acts as deterrent for free radicals which cause damage to brain cells. They also encourage blood flow to the brain thus averting stroke.
Health benefit 9: Anti-inflammation
The anti-inflammatory properties of Ginkgo biloba extracts are useful in dealing with debilitating conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
Health Benefit 10: Treatment of Asthma
Research has shown that GBE aids in alleviating asthmatic conditions. This herb seems to have the ability to hinder platelet activating factor (PAF).This substance is said to be linked to onset of asthma.
Health Benefit 11: Increased Libido
Ginkgo biloba is believed to boost libido assisting blood vessels to dilate. Its leaves are rich in flavonoids which have shown to improve blood flow as well as relax blood vessels. The increased blood flow to the sexual organs boosts libido. This has the effect of helping in attaining erection, enhancing erection as boosting semen output.
