Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo trees in Berlin - Germany

City Quartier, Neues Kranzler Eck, sidestreet of Kurfürstendamm

I got the following from Wikipedia on the Ginkgo Biloba prompted by a comment by Deb in the chat box. I think Edmund takes them on a regular basis and so does Edward so that he can remember to go to the gym on a regular basis. But I think he would need to up the dosage so that he can then also remember his committment to blog at least once a month!

In South Korea, Sungkyunkwan University's logo is a ginkgo leaf. Its main campus features several gingko trees that were planted in 1519 and still stand today.

The extract of the Ginkgo leaves contains flavonoid glycosides and terpenoids (ginkgolides, bilobalides) and has been used pharmaceutically. It has many alleged nootropic properties, and is mainly used as memory enhancer and anti-vertigo agent. However, studies differ about its efficacy.

Out of the many conflicting research results, there seem to be basically three effects of Ginkgo extract on the human body: it improves blood flow (including microcirculation in small capillaries) to most tissues and organs; it protects against oxidative cell damage from free radicals (antioxidant); and it blocks many of the effects of PAF (platelet aggregation, blood clotting) that have been related to the development of a number of cardiovascular, renal, respiratory and CNS (Central Nervous System) disorders. Ginkgo can be used for intermittent claudication.

A 2004 conference paper ^[6] summarizes how various trials indicate that Ginkgo shows promise in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, although further study is needed.

Ginkgo is commonly added to energy drinks, but the amount is typically so low it does not produce a noticeable effect, except perhaps via a placebo effect from Ginkgo being listed on the label.