07/03/2018 / By Rhonda Johansson
A comprehensive review of ten cohort studies on the neuroprotective effects of gingko extract concludes that the herb may be useful in the treatment of dementia. To date, modern medicine is capable of addressing only symptoms of the disease, with an emphasis placed on proper management. That being said, data being published on alternative remedies such as on gingko extract evaluates a previously denied efficacy and safety of herbal supplementation.
Authors of the systematic review collected a total of 229 articles published from 2010 to 2015 that studied a supposed association between gingko extract and mental health. Of these, only 10 reviews met the inclusion criteria. Nine were written in English, and one in Chinese.
A summary of these cohort studies reveals that:
Overall, it was concluded that gingko extract is better than a placebo in the treatment of dementia and its associated symptoms. The herb may also be useful in improving cognitive function, but results may vary per person.
The herb has been used therapeutically in China for millennia. Natural healers believe that gingko is a powerful medicinal plant and is typically included in most, if not all, traditional Chinese pharmacopoeia. Its main indication is for improving mental health but there are other lesser known benefits to consider.
The active ingredients in gingko work together to provide a strong antioxidant effect, preventing red blood cells from forming clots and inducing muscle relaxation. There is no standard recommended dose for the herb but most natural healers suggest a daily dosage of 120 mg (or 40 mg three to four times a day). Patients are asked to wait for a few weeks before seeing any tangible result.
Most people do not experience any side effect from taking gingko. However, on rare occasions, it can cause stomach upset and allergic skin reactions.
Sources include:
Tagged Under: alternative medicine, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive decline, dementia, depression, gingko biloba, gingko extract, herbal medicine, memory impairment, mental health, mild cognitive impairment, natural cures, neuroprotective effect, neuropsychiatric symptoms, plant cures, plant medicine, remedies
COPYRIGHT © 2017 ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE NEWS