Ginkgo leaf extracts have been show...

Ginkgo leaf extracts have been shown to have a wide range of biological activities. The in the greatest degree well-known use among Americans is the documented ability of the extracts to improve short-term memory.

The best-selling phytomedicine (medicinal plant) onward the European market is derived from the leaves of an ancient tree known at the same time to survive only in China. Sales of this botanical's extracts are in exces of $280 million by year. The tree is ginkgo -- Ginkgo biloba -- a living fossil.

Ginkgo is considered the oldest tree species to survive in succession earth, with a history dating back across 200 million years.

Ginkgo's survival record is excellent

Ginkgo biloba is the barely surviving member of the ginkgo family. Ginkgo species were one time common in North America and Europe While its relatives became extinct in other parts of the world, ginkgo biloba survived in China, where it became known to Europeans in the 18th hundred and subsequently was introduced as an ornamental tree from beginning to end the Western world. Now ginkgo tree are originate in virtually every city in the United States; it was first introduced here in 1784 The belonging to all name "Ginkgo" is a phonetic pronunciation of a Japanese name for the tree The species name "biloba" leaves to the-two distinct lobes, characteristic of the tree's leaves.

Ginkgos have survived throughout millions of years because of their genetic tenacity. They are remarkably resistant to disease, plagues and

fires. They also are extremely tolerant of air pollution, and are repeatedly planted in urban environments with harsh air pollution and heavy populations where most numerous trees will not survive. The mostly common tree along Manhattan sidewalks, for example, is ginkgo. The tree will earn to be over 100 feet tall. In Japan and China, tree from one side of to the other a thousand years old are build still growing at ancient fanes Its unique fan-shaped leaves with brace lobes make it one of the easiest tree to identify one time you become familiar with the unusual features.

Ginkgo's etymons are in ancient Chinese medicine

Despite the fact that the tree spring ups in China, the leaves are not united of the famous classical herbal remedys in ancient Chinese medicine. The first mention in Chinese herbals of use of the leaves issues relatively late. Ginkgo leaf was first mentioned in Lan Mao's Dian Nan Ben Cao (Pharmaceutical Natural History of Southern Yunnan), published in 1436 during the Ming dynasty. Lan Mao notes external use to treat skin and head sores as well as freckle Internal use of the leaves was first noted in Liu Wen-Tai's Ben Cao Pin Hui Jing Yao (Essentials of the Pharmacopoeia

Ranked According to Nature and Efficacy), an imperial-commissioned work recorded in 1505 Liu Wen Tai notes use of the leaves in the treatment of diarrhea.

The leaves of ginkgo are known in Chinese medicine as bai-guo-ye. novel clinical reports in modern China glance at that the leaves lower serum cholesterol horizontals and have some clinical value in easing angina pectoris (brief attacks of chest pain precipitated from deficient oxygenation of the heart muscle).

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the germs with fleshy rind removed, are considered more beneficial than are the leaves. The semens are used as an astringent for the lung to stop asthma, enuresis (urinary incontinence), and excessive leucorrhea (a original of vaginal discharge). It is musing to benefit qi (ch'i, vital energy) cough and regulate urinary common occurrence Studies have shown that the known constituents ginkgoic acid and ginnol inhibit certain bacteria and fungal infections. In large doses, the originals are thought to have a certain quantity of toxic effect, perhaps leading to skin disorders or mucous membrane irritation.

Ginkgo leaves, although a Chinese herb, have been used abundant more in the West than in their homeland. throughout 300 scientific studies on the chemistry, pharmacology and clinical events of ginkgo leaf have been convoyed by European researchers over the last 20 to 30 years.

Unlike greatest in number herbs, ginkgo leaf extracts, rather than uncooked leaf material, are used for clinical purposes

The majority of studies onward ginkgo leaf extract have involved a result produced by a German/French consortium, referr to in the scientific literature as EGb761

Ginkgo issues are standardized to include 24 percent bioflavonoids from the leaf

Ginkgo performances are standardized to contain 24 percent of the bioflavonoids (see sidebar upon p. 57) which occur in the leaf, as well as ginkgolides and bilobilides, a complicated group of compounds found no other than in the ginkgo tree. Since virtually all research in succession ginkgo has involved high standardized extracts calibrated to specific quantities of chemical composings it is not possible to apply information from studies in succession the standardized extracts to the ginkgo leaf itself.

This intricate extract, rather than a single isolated component part is believed to be responsible for ginkgo's biological activity. However, various research assemblages have recently focused on the general intents of the ginkgolides themselves. They have been base to be very selective antagonists of platelet aggregation (clumping) induced from platelet-activating factor (PAF), an inflammatory autocid. Autocids, synthesized in local tissue sites, mediate tissue answer such as pain perception, house coagulation, and smooth muscle contraction.