Ginko Leaf - Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is a tree that is living proof to longevity and vitality. The Ginkgo Biloba tree is naturally resistant to disease, insects and pollution and has a life span of two to four thousand years! Though it yields an edible almond shaped white seed, the medicinal powers are found in the leaves of this special tree.

Research has shown that Ginkgo Biloba may improve the circulation of oxygen, act as a free radical scavenger and improve nerve cell functioning and nerve cell transmission. This translates to improvements in memory and mental efficiency, and treatments for disorders like Raynaud’s (a blood vessel disorder) and Alzheimer’s disease. It’s anti-oxidant action may aid the body in preventing the onset of illness and disease.

For nearly 2,800 years, the Chinese have used extracts from the Ginkgo biloba tree to treat a variety of conditions. Ginkgo helps promote healthy brain, metabolic, and cardiovascular function (i.e., blood, blood vessels, circulation).

Ginkgo contains numerous antioxidants such as proanthocyanidins and flavonoids that counteract free radical activity. Flavonoids are also known to strengthen capillaries, which can promote healthy blood flow to the brain to help maintain cognitive health.

• Help maintain normal circulation by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of blood platelets
• Help maintain the normal function and tone of blood vessels, and maintain a normal blood flow
• Maintain already normal oxygen and glucose metabolism in the brain
• Maintain normal coagulation of blood
• Reduce tissue damage caused by low blood flow.
• Help control radiation-induced brain edema in vitro
• Help slow the aging process in the brain
• Ginkgo biloba extract is reputed as a neuroprotective antioxidant agent.

It is known to protect the energy-producing mito-chondria within the cells, thus enhancing oxygen utilization and cellular respiration.

In a study to determine whether ginkgo extract could prevent age-associated cellular changes, the brain and liver mitochondria of old mice fed ginkgo extract in their drinking water was compared to those of young and old control mice. Mitochondria from the mice given ginkgo exhibited significantly less genetic damage, peroxide generation, and oxidation of the crucial antioxidant glutathione than non-supplemented mice. In addition, mitochondria from old mice given the ginkgo extract resembled those of young mice much more closely, being similar in size and morphology. The study concluded that standardized ginkgo extract prevents age-related decline in mitochondrial structure and function by protecting mitochondria from oxidative damage.