Anti-inflammatory Herb-Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is one of the main ingredients in several FlameEz™ remedies and it has gained wide-ranging acceptance as a mind tonic. The leaves of the Ginkgo tree are reputed to "benefit the brain" by improving memory and the ability to concentrate. It is now known that Ginkgo biloba promotes circulation and improves oxygen supply to the brain and many other organs. It is traditionally been used to strengthen the heart, lungs and skin. Today, it is being used clinically for dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and peripheral vascular problems including numbness, impotence, and Raynaud's syndrome.^1-8

Ginkgo biloba contains flavone-glycosides, including quercetin and proanthocyanidins, which are extremely potent and effective antioxidants. Another component of Ginkgo biloba is the terpene fraction, which consists of ginkgolides and bilobalides. These components have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. They also reduce the stickiness of the blood by inhibiting the platelet activating factor, which causes platelets to stick together, thereby reducing blood circulation.

Based on published scientific and clinical research, Ginkgo biloba:

• Helps to maintain the normal function and tone of blood vessels*
• Prevents capillary fragility and blood leakage into surrounding tissue*
• Helps to maintain normal blood flow*
• Maintains normal coagulation of blood*
• Supports oxygen supply and glucose metabolism in the brain*
• Helps to slow the aging process in the brain*
• Helps to support mental sharpness*
• Reduces tissue damage caused by low blood flow*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Reference (for abstracts and additional references, click here):

1. Xie XD et al. Ginkgo Biloba Extract Reduces Endothelial Progenitor-Cell Senescence Through Augmentation of Telomerase Activity. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2007;49:111–115.
2. Naik SR. et al. Evaluation of antioxidant activity of ginkgo biloba phytosomes in rat brain. Phytother Res. 2006;20:1013-1016.
3. Vellas B. et al. The GuidAge study; Methodological issues. A 5-year double-blind randomized trial of the efficacy of Egb 761^® for prevention of Alzheimer disease in patients over 70 with a memory complaint. Neurology. 2006;67(suppl 3):S6-S11.
4. Chung SY. et al. Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (Egb 761) combined with neuroprotective agents reduces the infarct volumes of gerbil ischemic brain. Am J Chin Med. 2006;34:803-817.
5. Luo, Y. Alzheimer’s disease, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and Ginkgo biloba leaf extract. Life Sci. 2006;78:2066–2072
6. Mazza M. et al. Ginkgo biloba and donepezil: a comparison in the treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia in a randomized placebocontrolled double-blind study. Eur J Neurol. 2006;13:981–985
7. Hoerr R. Treatment effects of EGb 761 and cholinesterase inhibitors – why available studies do not demonstrate superiority of the latter. Phytomedicine. 2005;12:598–600
8. Kurz A. and Van Baelen, B. Ginkgo biloba compared with cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of dementia: a review based on meta-analyses by the Cochrane Collaboration. Dement. Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2004;18:217–226