Ginkgo Biloba

GINKGO

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ginkgo biloba L. Family: Ginkgoaceae

COMMON NAMES: Ginkgo, maidenhair tree, kew tree, ginkyo, Arbre aux quarante ecus, adiantifolia, baiguo, bai guo ye, BN-52063, duck foot tree, Elefantenohr, EGb, EGb 761, Eun-haeng, facherblattbaum, Fossil tree, GBE, GBE 24, GBX, ginan, gin-nan, Ginkgoaceae (family), ginkgo balm, ginkgoblatter, Ginkgo folium, Ginkgo biloba blatter, ginkgogink, ginkgold, ginkgopower, ginkyo, icho, ityo, Japanbaum, Japanese silver apricot, kew tree, kung sun shu, LI 1370, maidenhair tree, noyer du Japon, oriental plum tree, pei kuo, pei-wen, Pterophyllus, Pterophyllus salisburiensis, Rokan, salisburia, Salisburia adiantifolia, Salisburia macrophylla, sophium, silver apricot, tempeltrae, tanakan, tanakene, tebofortan, tebonin, temple balm, tramisal, valverde, vasan, vital, ya chio, yin-guo, , yinhsing (Silver Apricot-Japanese).

HISTORY

     The ginkgo species was almost destroyed during the ice age. The species survived in China, where it was cultivated as a sacred tree, and is still found decorating Buddhist temples throughout Asia. Preparations have been used for medicinal purposes for more than a thousand years. Traditional Chinese physicians used ginkgo leaves to treat asthma and chillblains, which is the swelling of the hands and feet from exposure to damp cold. The ancient Chinese and Japanese ate roasted ginkgo seeds, and considered them a digestive aid and preventive for drunkenness. In the Western world, ginkgo has been used since the 1960s when technology made it possible to isolate its essential compounds. The flavonoids act as free radical scavengers, and the terpenes (ginkgolides) inhibit platelet activating factor. Currently, oral and intravenous forms are available in Europe, where it is one of the most widely prescribed medications. Neither form has been approved for medical use in the United States, although ginkgo is sold as a nutritional supplement.


USES

Uses based on scientific evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Claudication (painful legs from clogged arteries)

Dementia (multi-infarct and Alzheimer's type)

Cerebral insufficiency

Age-associated memory impairment (AAMI)

Altitude (mountain) sickness

Chemotherapy side effects reduction

Decreased libido and erectile dysfunction (impotence)

Depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Glaucoma

Macular degeneration

Memory enhancement (in healthy people)

Multiple sclerosis

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

Vertigo

Vitiligo

Stroke

Cocaine dependence

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Acidosis, aging, alcoholism, allergies, angina, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant, anti-parasitic, anxiety, atherosclerosis ("clogged" arteries), asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, blood vessel disorders, blood clots, breast disease, breast tenderness, bronchitis, cancer, cardiac rhythm abnormalities, chilblains (inflammation of toes, fingers, ears, or face with exposure to cold), chronic rhinitis, congestive heart failure, cough, deafness, dermatitis, diabetes, diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy), diabetic eye disease, digestion, dizziness, dysentery (bloody diarrhea), eczema, fatigue, filariasis, freckle-removing, gastric cancer, genitourinary disorders, hearing loss, heart disease, heart attack, headache, hepatitis B, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, hypoxia (lack of oxygen), insomnia, labor induction, menstrual pain, migraine, mood disturbances, Raynaud's phenomenon, respiratory tract illnesses, scabies (ginkgo cream), schizophrenia, sepsis, skin sores (ginkgo cream), swelling, traumatic brain injury, ulcerative colitis, varicose veins.


TOXICOLOGY

     Ingestion of the extract has not been associated with severe side effects. Adverse events from clinical trials of up to 160 mg/day for 4 to 6 weeks did not differ from placebo group.  

A toxic syndrome, ("Gin-nan" food poisoning) has been recognized in the Orient in children who have ingested ginkgo seeds. Approximately 50 seeds produce tonic/clonic seizures and loss of consciousness.

Contact with the fleshy fruit pulp has been known since ancient times to be a skin irritant. Constituents alkylbenzoic acid, alkylphenol and their derivatives cause reactions of this type. Allergic dermatitis such as erythema, edema, blisters and itching have all been reported. A cross-allergenicity exists between ginkgo fruit pulp and poison ivy. Ginkgolic acid and bilobin are structurally similar to the allergens of poison ivy, mango rind and cashew nut shell oil. Contact with the fruit pulp causes erythema and edema, with the rapid formation of vesicles accompanied by severe itching. The symptoms last 7 to 10 days. Ingestion of as little as two pieces of pulp has been reported to cause perioral erythema, rectal burning and tenesmus (painful spasms of the anal sphincter).



SUMMARY

     The ginkgo is the oldest known living tree species. An extract of the leaves has been shown to have pharmacologic activity in the areas of cerebral insufficiency, dementias, circulatory disorders and bronchoconstriction. The plant also is known for its antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. Ingestion of ginkgo extract has not been associated with severe side effects, but contact with the fleshy fruit pulp causes allergic dermatitis, similar to poison ivy. In animals, ginkgo does not produce teratogenicity, but limited human data is available on this subject, suggesting avoidance of use during pregnancy and lactation.

PATIENT INFORMATION — Ginkgo

    Uses: Ginkgo has been used in treating Raynaud's disease, cerebral insufficiency, anxiety/stress, tinnitus, dementias, circulatory disorders/asthma. It has positive effects on memory and diseases associated with free radical generation.

    Side Effects: Severe side effects are rare; possible effects include headache, dizziness, heart palpitations and GI and dermatologic reactions. Ginkgo pollen can be strongly allergenic. Contact with the fleshy fruit pulp causes allergic dermatitis, similar to poison ivy.