Just a clinical explanation of the Ginkgo...nothing really mind shattering

Gi n k g o
Ginkgo biloba

Not only is the tree an old fellow, he has healing power.

The best-selling phytomedicine is derived from the leaves of an ancient tree, known to survive only in China. Sales are in excess of 280 million dollars per year. The tree is ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba, a living fossil. Ginkgo is considered the oldest tree species to survive on earth, with a history dating back over 200 million years. Ginkgo species were once common in North America and Europe. Ginkgo biloba is the only surviving member of the ginkgo family. While its relatives became extinct in other parts of the world Ginkgo biloba survived in China.

Ginkgos have survived over millions of years because of their genetic tenacity. They are long-lived trees, remarkably resistance to disease, pests, and fires. They also are extremely tolerant of air pollution, and are often planted in harsh city environments where most trees will not survive. The most common tree along Manhattan sidewalks is ginkgo. The trees will get to be over 100 feet tall. In Japan and China trees over a thousand years old are found at ancient temples.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the seeds are considered more important than the leaves. The seeds are used as an astringent for the lung, to stop asthma. It is thought to benefit ch'i (energy), cough, and regulate urinary frequency.

Ginkgo leaf extracts have been shown to have a wide range of biological activities. The most well-known use among Americans is the perceived ability of the products to improve short term memory. Other important effects include a protective effect on the blood-brain barrier and an anti-radical (antioxidant) effect. The leaf extracts has also been shown to increase vasodilation and peripheral blood flow rate in capillary vessels and end-arteries in various circulatory disorders. Ginkgo leaf helps to maintain integrity and permeability of cell walls. Yes, you know where this is heading….

New uses for Ginkgo leaf extracts are emerging as more is learned about the extracts usefulness in various clinical situations, especially those involving circulatory problems. A 1991 study published in the Journal of Sex Education and Therapy evaluated the effect of Ginkgo leaf extract in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Following treatment with the ginkgo leaf extract, all patients regained sufficient and spontaneous erections following six months of treatment. Rigidity at both the tip and base of the penis were found to significantly improve after six months. ….talk about a GinkgoDragon!