Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

Mamaram — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:20:00 GMT

Several years ago I developed RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME. It was draining and infuriating to kick all night long, not to mention hell on my mate. I tried 'cure' after 'cure' but nothing worked. Then someone suggested I STOP taking all my supplements and add them back in one at a time, which I did. Lo and behold, MY RESTLESS LEGS WERE CAUSED BY GINGKO! So I stopped it and have had no more restless legs. Of course, my memory is a little worse than it was on it AND my ears are ringing like crazy now, but at least I sleep soundly without kicking!

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

IndigoMan — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 18:51:00 GMT

Ginko is used in TCM to improve heart function and circulation. Cognition and cerebral activity is due to the condition of the heart. That's what TCM teaches. Western medicine is starting to focus in on the properties of herbs but often disregards the underlying principles that is taught in TCM. As a suggestion, I recommend that readers don't just jump to the conclusions about specific herb. Sure Ginko can improve cognition, but don't forget that an even better understanding is that a healthy heart is the foundation for a good functioning brain. !!!Any herb or food or appropriate exercise that improves the heart will be good for the brain!!!

Also understand that in TCM eating and drinking cold foods hurts the digestive energies, heart energies and liver and pancreas energies. If you hurt you heart/digestive/liver energies, you will be more likely to have strokes.

Trying to understand these research results can be a complicated task. Like I mentioned, just the fact of drinking cold beverages can increase the risk of stroke, so how many other factors are left out when doing research like this.

Remember!!! Healthy heart means good brain function. Cold foods and drinks can increase risk of hemorrhaging strokes. Yes, ginko can help circulation and your heart, and therefore brain function.

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

hazellcarver — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:18:33 GMT

Because of my study, I'm a mature age student, & I wanted to do really well, I decided to take some supplements with Ginkgo biloba in, thinking it would help my memory, concentration etc., & my head felt really strange as if it had some pressure put onto it. It worried me, & so I waited about a week & tried again, & the same thing. I even tried a smaller dose & felt the same too, so I avoid it now as I felt concerned that instead of helping me, it could be adding a problem I don't want.

I also experienced the same with Bacopa moniera earlier (students say they take it & it helps them), but it too bothered me the same way. I was told to reduce my dose, but still felt the same problem, so this one too I avoid. Having had a mother & an uncle, who were both epileptic in their later years after separate accidents & put onto the medical epileptic drugs, & having them tell me how those drugs affected their minds, I felt troubled thinking that maybe these herbs could possibly do the same.

I think your recommendations are the best for the mind as well as the body, plenty of good natural food, pure water, exercice & plenty of sleep - that way I'll have benefits with no problems. Thankyou for your article that added to my experiences.

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

mrose — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:38:27 GMT

If any of you HAVE NOT WATCHED THIS VIDEO, you are missing (in my opinion), the best representation of what it is like to have a Stroke - that I have ever seen. It has altered my perception of who we are and what we are all about - I now view my brain in an all new light (literally), and am humbled by this woman's grace and intelligence!! I have always felt we (humanity) are all connected, but now I KNOW IT! I hope it gets passed on by each and every one of you so that we can, one at a time, heal our planet. My Sister, a woman of many words, made only one comment - WOW!

www.ted.com/.../229

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

ervin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:45:36 GMT

It looks to me from reading these comments that some people are using herbs just because they maybe healthy.

My opinion on the topic is that you should only use herbs and supplements if you are lacking in something or have a specific ailment that needs to be addressed. You should also talk to natural health care person for advise on what would be the best thing to do.

Ervin

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

Adela — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:25:33 GMT

Thanks. I should check and see if eliminating gingko, my headaches will get better. A.

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

naturmamma — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:01:43 GMT

Also in Europe: Germany, Denmark etc. has been carried out herbresearches an I wuold like to add an address of some herbs: Ginkgo biloba ( St.John´s Wort, Valerian/Melissa-combination) www.schwabepharma.com/.../fs_start_news_040706.html

Herbs do have sideeffekts but so DOOO the convential medicines too.

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

Dr Rik — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:23:08 GMT

The MOA (Mechanism of Action) for Gingko is that it redirects blood flow from peripheral to the central vascular system, thereby increasing blood flow to the brain. It does not address underlying issues such as arteriosclerosis or other causes of nerve degeneration.

An all natural diet, high in fruits and vegetables is a natural "blood thinner". People on all natural diets have a prothrombin (blood clotting) time about double the typical lab value. The "typical" is actually accepted as a "normal" time. Many people are directed away from good natural foods by their M.D.s, because it may "interfere" with pharmaceutical "blood thinners". This is considered the most "dangerous" drug/herbal interaction.

Gee, ya couldn't just quit the drug, couldya?

Ya gotta use your brain, think for yourself, and make disciplined choices......

......nah, that'll never work

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

MBD — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:41:41 GMT

Why is this article called "Gingko Biloba Protects Your Memory" and not "Gingko Biloba Causes Strokes." The latter is a much more obvious conclusion to the study, as strokes are a much more definitive measure of outcome than memory function.

If you just read the email summary from Dr. Mercola's site you would not be aware of the risks the study highlighted.

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

whitebuffalobk — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:35:35 GMT

When I take ginko, I have problems with flushing and sinus congestion. I have since stopped taking it.

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

seltzerman — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:55:11 GMT

Talk about a study designed to back a predetermined conclusion! "they found that people who reliably took ginkgo had a 68 percent lower risk of developing memory problems" wouldn't you think that those people are, by definition, more likely to have better memory? They remembered to take their meds reliably! This is the kind of crappy pseudoscience relied upon to keep fooling people into buying into "alternative medicine". Alternative to what? - medicine that has been proven to work through properly designed studies? Ginko is dangerous - you greatly increase your risk of cerebral hemhorageing with no documented proof besides the anecdotal evidence you see in these posts.

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

ToothChick — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:26:01 GMT

I'm a college student and I love gingko because I think it helps me remember things. I also exercise daily and maintain a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep. I had to chuckle when a girl in my program thought I was crazy for taking gingko, and then the next week she told me she sometimes takes Adderall (without a prescription) to help her concentrate! I told her I was sure gingko was less toxic than Adderall, and was also legally available, and she should really reconsider.

It really does thin blood, however. I realized this in a biology lab when we were testing blood type... I bled better than anyone else!

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

RichJedi — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:00:01 GMT

As with all herbs in Chinese medicine and traditional medicines, they're meant to be taken in tea form or typically some kind of liquid form where the medicinal properties are extracted from either hot water, alcohol or such. Also they're meant to work slowly over time, which is why Chinese medicine is superior for non communicable diseases and age related degeneration.

Combined with exercises, deep breathing, meditation, proper nutrition, fasting and such, your brain will keep working well till your last day.

My mother was dignosed with stage 1 breast cancer and opted to have it removed. She had a mini stroke the day before the surgery which postponed it about 6 weeks. She learned her lesson after that and finally started doing what I've said for 20 years. She's now taking multi vitamins, lots of vitamin C, zinc, magnesium other nutrients and herbs. I juice for her several times a week, she gets more rest, started drinking water daily which she never did, got off the Coke and frozen meals she was having for dinner all the time.

At 75, her memory has improved, her moods are noticeable better and she's developed an almost wicked sense of humor now and a bit of a practical joker which she never was, lol. She also de-aged about 10 years. 3 months after surgery at her first check up the doctors and nurses that did surgery on her didn't not recognize her though she was standing right at the counter waiting for her turn.

I even got her to start working out with light weights too, something she said that she would never do. I also make her herbal teas such as Burdock with some Schizandra extract, wormwood, astragalus and others. Too bad it took all that to wake her up, but better late then never.

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

LadyPam — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:36:42 GMT

I know of an older couple who are well pleased with Ginko. He used to go into the kitchen to make tea then forget what he was doing there. He started taking Ginko for the memory problem and they noticed a pleasing side effect: now he brings his wife tea in bed - afterwards ;)

re: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory

P Ross — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:01:57 GMT

You're right, jeffa -- use your brain. Sudoku and just doing new things are great ways to stay sharp. Sleep seems to be exceptionally important as well.

I take Gingko, also. If you decide to take it, be careful what you choose. Consumerlab tested a number of Gingko supplements, and found the 3 had lead and 4 others "lacked compounds expected". That's either scary, a waste of money, or both. I've limited myself to a few select brands whose purity I trust, including CNCA Gingko Biloba (www.cncahealth.com/gingko-biloba.htm).

60 Minutes just did a big story on the value of sleep and memory. They suggest that sleep is just as important as food! That's pretty convincing. I guess I have to take a nap today.