Ginko Biloba - The Longevity Herb

By Klaus Ferlow

It is called the Elixir of Youth - modern medicine from an ancient tree.

Think you have lost a little spring in your step? What about a little bounce in your brain? As long as you don't have any serious medical problems, exercising and eating right will ward off some of the physical signs of aging. Mental fitness is much more difficult to maintain - unless you know the secrets of the ginkgo.

In China, the ginkgo tree is considered sacred, and it's easy to see why. The tree has survived in that part of the world. The name may come from the Chinese "Sankyo" or "Yinkuo" (Yin Guo), meaning "hill apricot" or "silver fruit".

The Latin name ginkgo biloba L. (formerly Salisburia adiantifolia Sm) was bestowed in 1771 by Linnaeus, the famous Swedish botanist. Kaempfer, the German traveler and surgeon who was the first Westener to write about ginkgo in 1712, used the Japanese name ginkyo. As an ornamental, ginkgo was introduced into England in 1754 and into America in 1784.

The ginkgo, or maidenhair tree, is one of the oldest living species on this plant. During the last ice age, however, it nearly became extinct and survived only in China and other parts of Asia where they stayed until at least 1000 years ago, when they were planted around monasteries in Japan...and these trees are still living! It is estimated that the tree survived in parts of China for 200 millions years and a single tree can live more than 1000 years. In fact, ginkgos are so hardy that a solitary ginkgo was the only tree to survive the atomic blast of Hiroshima. It therefore seems only natural that anything that's survived so long holds some secrets to longevity. Ginkgo is a worldwide herbal star and top selling medicine and this youth promoting herbals has been used safely for over 3000 years and has undergone extensive laboratory testing.

One way ginkgo increases longevity is by helping your body get rid of cell-destroying free radicals (cancer cells we all have in our bloodstream). The extract from the ginkgo tree is a "free radical scavenger" or natural antioxidant. It inactivates free radicals, protects the genetic material in cells, and helps slow down aging. Let's investigate what ginkgo can do for you:

GINKGO FIGHTS AGING

FIRST, it widens your blood vessels so more blood can get through. Scientists have isolated a group of compounds called "flavonoids" in ginkgo extract. These flavonoids force the blood vessels to relax, which allows them to carry more blood.

SECOND, it also makes the blood vessels sticky by keeping platelets separated. Platelets normally help blood clot by clumping together at the site of a cut or scrape. The clotting is triggered by a substance called platelet activating factor, or PAF. While PAF is a good thing to have in your body when you have an injury, it can also cause the platelets to clump within your blood vessels. Normally, there it is not enough clumping to cause a problem. But if you already have reduced blood flow, this platelet clumping can gum up the works even further. Ginkgo makes the platelets keep their distance by blocking PAF. Doctors often prescribe blood thinning drugs for people as they get older (to avoid thickening of the blood you need to drink enough fluid every day which many elderly don't), but by blocking PAF, ginkgo acts as a NATURAL blood thinner.

THIRD, ginkgo keeps the bad cholesterol "LDL" from clumping up on blood vessel walls, keeping the veins and arteries wide open for maximum blood flow.

BOOST BRAIN POWER

Like any other part of the body, the brain needs adequate blood flow, or it can't function properly. Unfortunately, your body has a hard time sending the brain all the blood it needs as you get older. Imagine the drain pipe from your kitchen sink. Over time, water begins to drain through the pipe a little slower and it happens in everybody's kitchen. If you pour  a little drain opener down the sink, the water starts to flow fasters. That's exactly what ginkgo can do for blood flow to your brain!

Clinical studies show that extract of the ginkgo tree can increase blood flow to the brain. What's more, the older you are, the better ginkgo appears to work. One study found that blood flow to the brain was increased by about 20% for people ages 30 to 50, but for people ages 50 - 70, the increase was 70%!

More blood flow means more brain power and better short-term memory. It specially means protection against what doctors call "cerebral insufficiency" or dementia. Many people, especially women have some degree of dementia in their later years.

The 12 symptoms of cerebral insufficiency which ginkgo may improve are:

  . difficult concentrating            . confusion

  . tiredness                             . sadness

  . dizziness                             . headaches

  . absent mindness                  . lack of energy

  . performance aniexty             . decreased physical                             

  . tinnitus (ringing in the ear)    . depression

 
Words of Wisdom

  For every disease we know, God provides a herb to gowth!

References:

  Ginkgo: Elixir of Youth, Christopher Hobbs

  Encyclopedia of Natural Healing, alive books

  The Botanical Pharmacy, Heather Boon, BScPhm, PhD, Michael Smith, BPharm, MRPharmsS, ND

  Herb Bible, Earl Mindell, R.Ph, Ph.D

  Ginkgo Biloba, by David C. Hoffmann, BSc (Hon.), MNIMH

  Ginkgo Biloba, by John Martineau

  Ginkgo Biloba, by Dr. Desmond Corrigan

  Ginkgo Biloba, by Frank Murray

  Ginkgo Biloba, by Tracy Smith

  For testing studies & results about Ginkgo Biloba check Google.  

Klaus Ferlow, herbalist, innovator, lecturer, researcher, writer, President, founder and co-owner of FERLOW BOTANICALS, a Div. of Ferlow Brothers Ltd, Vancouver, B.C., a 100% Canadian owned and operated family business manufacturing & distributing TOXIN free medicinal herbal and personal care products since 1993 supplying them to professional health & wellness practitioners across Canada and parts of USA. Please visit also our website: www.ferlowbotanicals.com   

  Disclaimer: This information is offered for it educational value only and should not be used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease. Any attempt to diagnose and treat illness should come under the direction of your health care practitioner.