Ginkgo is the world’s oldest living species of tree, seemingly identical fossils being known from rocks as old as 200 million years. Ginkgo has been used in traditional medicine to treat circulatory disorders and enhance memory. Ginkgo leaves also contain two types of chemicals (flavonoids and terpenoids) believed to have potent antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals damaging compounds in the body that alter cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death. Free radicals occur naturally in the body, but environmental toxins can also increase the number of these damaging particles. Free radicals are believed to contribute to a number of health problems including heart disease and cancer as well as Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Ginkgo biloba is the oldest living tree species. A single tree can live as long as 1,000 years and grow to a height of 120 feet. It has short branches with fan-shaped leaves and inedible fruits that produce a strong odor. Ginkgo tree is also called the Maidenhair Tree because its leaves closely resemble those of the Maidenhair Fern.

The medicinal form of the herb ginkgo comes from the leaves of the ancient ginkgo biloba tree, which has survived in China for over 2000 years, and has long been used in their medicine, like green tea.

Ginkgo biloba and green tea work synergistically together, that is they compliment and react with one another to produce even greater benefits than if taken separately.

Green tea, as you may know, has been proven to be effective against cancer, and helps to lower your bad (LDL) cholesterol levels, and boost your immune system, helping you to keep those annoying colds at bay.

One of the most common uses of ginkgo biloba is to improve memory. How does ginkgo biloba do that? Scientifically controlled double blind tests have shown that ginkgo biloba increases blood circulation to the brain, thereby improving the oxygen content of brain tissue and cells. More oxygen to the brain means more clarity, increased ability to focus, increased attention span and a general feeling of being more awake. This is the reason that ginkgo biloba is an ingredient in some energy drinks. However, it is questionable whether the small amount of ginkgo biloba extract in the drinks is actually effective. Most of the drinks contain large amounts of caffeine, which can increase energy, if a person is not sensitive to caffeine.

Some of Ginkgo biloba health benefits are as follows,

* Gingko biloba has antioxidant properties helps with thinking, learning, memory impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia.
* Gingko biloba can help with intermittent claudication.
* Gingko biloba also helps with retinal problems caused by diabetes and macular degeneration.
* It improves blood flow.
* Ginkgo has been shown to enhance vitality levels.
* Ginkgo helps in increasing sex drive.
The herb has been used in treatment of other circulation-related disorders such as diabetic peripheral vascular disease,


Read About Depression Treatment and also read about Diet for Depression and Ginkgo Biloba for Depression

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