Ginkgo and memory.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
From: Michael Wedge <mikew.alaska.net>
Date: 19 Nov 1995 08:51:39 GMT
Subject: Re: Ginkgo Biloba...for all ages????

> Ginkgo Biloba is supposed to benefit mental alertness and is generally used to fight against the erosion of strength and vitality associated with aging. I am 20 years old and I would like to know if Ginkgo Biloba would benefit me in any way, particularly in enhancing my memory and study skills. Please e-mail me or post any additional information you may have!

To the best of my knowledge, Gingko is used for memory loss, difficulty with concentration, impotence and other conditions that are potentially related to diminished blood flow. This is one of the reasons it is used post CVA (stroke) and in elderly folks with memory difficulty. Gingko also has other uses such as asthma. Based on my knowledge of the herb, it probably would not do you much good, although maybe Gingko functions in other ways which I am not aware of.

Mike M.Ac.O.M.,L.Ac.

From: Dave Newton <david.newton.symbios.com>

>To the best of my knowledge, Gingko is used for memory loss, difficulty

Ginkgo Biloba apprently increases blood flow to the microcapillaries.

Take 120-160 mg daily, liquid extract at 24% concentration. Divide the dosage into three parts, it is active in your system for 3-6 hours. 3-6 months of constant use for segnificant and permanent effects, 8 days for first effects, 3 weeks for "real benefits," whatever that means.

From: weigand.ssnet.com (Steve Weigand)

>Ginkgo Biloba is supposed to benefit mental alertness and is generally

I am a 23 years old male. I used ginkgo biloba (extract) before many times during moments of my life that required me to be especially alert and focused mentally. Sometimes I noticed no improvement. At best, I noticed very minor improvement. I tried large doses vs. small doses. The results: little difference between large doses vs. small ones. I would recommend using only one dropper full of the extract with water on an empty stomach for maximum potency, but any more than that is a waste. (I used "Basic Organics" 24% in water.)

I found that combining it with choline or lecithin tablets worked better.

But still, the improvement I saw was nothing miraculous, and hardly noticeable at all. If anything, it kept me focused on my task at hand, instead of having my mind wander easily. It does NOT, in any way, increase intelligence. It may help to "oil the machine", so to speak, but nothing much else.

Others have stated they have had better results. Not coincidentally, those others have usually been older than me. I have come to the hypothesis, therefore, that ginkgo biloba is only effective with those that actually need it (older folks). If you're perfectly normal (helps to be young), then you probably have no need for it, and it will be a waste. I've heard it being targeted specifically at Alzheimer's patients. Supposedly, it improves circulation of blood to the brain, so if you have a problem with blood circulation to the brain, then it will probably do some good. If you don't have that problem, it will probably be useless to you.

From: jonno.teleport.com (Jonathan Treasure)

>I am a 23 years old male. I used ginkgo biloba (extract) before many

At best all you gay young things will get is an ocular headache and protruding eyeballs if you spend enough money. - Ginkgo is not a study aid, exam swotting device, or skill enhancer .... save your money, burn a little Rosemary oil or Peppermint oil in an aromatherapy burner to help concentration, maybe do a little siberian ginseng if you have to burn the candle at both ends but don't take it if you are on caffeine .... Let's face it if your cerebral cortex ain't working now at 23 it never will ...... Exercise (mental and physical) will do more for your brain metabolism/circulation than expensive herbal extracts. Now when you get to my age and you NOTICE your brain function detioriorates

and you notice your your brain function detioriorates ....... its a different
story story...

jonathan treasure

jonathan treasure