Gingko - Provides Many Health Benifits, FIND OUT! Article

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Gingko - Provides Many Health Benifits, FIND OUT!

Valerian is an erect perennial growing to a height of four feet with pinnate, divided leaves and pink flowers. Native to Europe and northern Asia, valerian grows wild in damp conditions. It is cultivated in central and Eastern Europe.

Author: Homeherb

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What Is Ginkgo?
This popular herbal medicine is extracted from the fan-shaped leaves of the ancient Ginkgo tree, a species that has survived in China for more than 200 million years and now grows throughout the world. (The leaves are double, or bi-lobed; hence the name .) Long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is only in the last few decades that the medicinal uses for the Herb have been studied in the West.

Recently Ginkgo has received a great deal of attention for its potential as a memory booster. But while the herb has been found to help with age-related memory loss, claims that its a smart pill and universally useful are dubious. Studies do indicate that the herb can have beneficial effects on vascular dementia, peripheral claudication, tinnitus of vascular origin, the circulatory and central nerve systems, however, and it has been shown to act as an Antioxidant as well.

An Extract of Ginkgo extract (GBE) is used to make the supplement. It is obtained by drying and milling the leaves and then extracting their active ingredients. When buying supplements, look for preparations containing GBE to be sure you get the greatest benefit.

Health Benefits Ginkgo:
By regulating the tone and elasticity of blood vessels, Ginkgo increases blood flow to the brain and extremities, making it particularly useful for circulatory ailments. Research has also shown that Ginkgo can enhance the nervous system by promoting the delivery of additional oxygen and blood sugar (glucose) to nerve cells. As an antioxidant, Ginkgo mops up the damaging compounds known as Free radicals and aids in cell maintenance.

Specifically, Ginkgo may help to:

· Relieve symptoms of Tinnitus.
Some studies show that Ginkgo may be helpful in treating tinnitus, ringing in the ears. Tinnitus comes from damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear. Damage to the nerves can cause a reduction in acute hearing or total loss of hearing. If you are experiencing a reduction in hearing you might want to consider supplementing your diet with Ginkgo.

· Alleviate the symptoms of Raynauds disease and Intermittent claudication.
By improving blood circulation to the extremities, Ginkgo helps ease the build up in the inner linings of the artery walls. These blockages restrict blood circulation, mainly in arteries leading to the kidneys, stomach, arms, legs, and feet. These blockages can increase your risk of painful coldness in the hands and feel.

· Reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.
By reducing the stickiness of the blood, as aspirin does, Ginkgo may lower the risk of blood clots and possibly reduce the risk of heart attacks or stroke. Studies are also evaluating the herbs effectiveness in speeding recovery from stroke.

· Counter impotence.
Ginkgo extract may enhance the treatment of erectile dysfunction due to poor blood flow resulting from atherosclerosis of the penis. Ultrasound examinations of 60 impotent men who took Ginkgo showed improved penile blood circulation after six weeks. After six months, 50% of the patients had regained potency. Continuing studies are investigating Ginkgos potential in treating this problem.

· Reduce macular degeneration and control cataracts.
Some studies suggest that Ginkgo may be of value in treating macular degeneration because it increases blood flow to the nerve-rich fibers of the eyes. The herbs antioxidant capabilities may also help to neutralize the cell-damaging free radicals that are considered a leading cause of this disorder. Ginkgo s powerful antioxidant and circulation-promoting properties may also be of help in treating the blurring and dimming of vision caused by cataracts.

· Slow the progression of Alzheimers symptoms.
Controlled studies have shown that because Ginkgo aids blood flow to the brain, it can improve memory in some people with this memory-robbing condition. Findings indicate that it is people already suffering from Alzheimers (and other age-related memory problems) who benefit most, not those who are healthy. In a 12-month study of 202 patients with dementia, many of whom also had Alzheimers, those given 120 mg of Ginkgo extract a day experienced a greater improvement (or stabilization in their mental and social functions) than those given a Placebo. The effects were modest and of limited duration, however.

· Relieve depression, anxiety, headaches, and dizziness.
Each of these ailments-like Alzheimers-has been linked to reduced blood flow to the brain. In older adults in particular, this problem is often caused by cholesterol buildup in the arteries. By improving blood circulation (including that to the brain), Ginkgo may be useful for treating these disorders in older people especially.

· May help ease the Inflammation of hemorrhoids.
Ginkgo may used for relief of acute symptoms (for control of bleeding and re-bleeding in all grades of haemorrhoids). The use of Ginkgo helps to control the acute phase (bleeding) so that definitive therapy (banding, injection sclerotherapy, infrared photocoagulation, cryotherapy or surgery) can be scheduled at a convenient time.

· Treat complications due to diabetes.
Ginkgo has been shown to be useful in treating Diabetic neuropathy, the nerve damage resulting from poor circulation to the extremities that is common in diabetes sufferers. Animal studies have shown that Ginkgo may also help prevent diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that can cause blindness.

· Ease asthmatic attacks.
Long used in China for this ailment, Ginkgo seems to help relieve the airway spasms and wheezing associated with this lung disease.

· Optimize brain power.
While there are no studies showing that Ginkgo can prevent memory loss in healthy people, proponents suggest it can help mental decline and optimize brain function. These effects may be due to Ginkgos ability to increase blood flow to the brain.

Forms Ginkgo:

1. Tincture
2. Tablet
3. Softgel
4. Powder
5. Liquid
6. Capsule

For More Details: http://www.homeherb.com/herb.asp?catid=444

About Author

Homeherb offers Nutritional Supplements, Weight Loss, Vitamins, Health Care, Anti aging, Vision Care, Herbal Teas, Natrol, Twin Lab, Now Foods, St. John's Wort, American Ginseng, Black Cohosh, Sports at http://www.homeherb.com/herb.asp?catid=444

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