Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba? A herb that improves memory?! At long last, something that will help me remember during exams! I got so excited when I first read about it in this week's reading module, but soon the excitement turned to disappointment as I began to read towards the end of the section. It turned out that Ginkgo biloba doesn't have any effects on improving memory. However I was still intrigued about this herb, so I decided to do a bit of research and found some very interesting facts about it. It turns out that Ginkgo biloba has been used throughout the years in traditional Chinese herbal medicine to treat blood disorders and enhance memory. It is also believed to have antioxidant properties, which help in eliminating free radicals (cause damage to cells, DNA, or cell death --> can lead to cancer). Another use for Ginkgo biloba (the main one), is to improve blood flow to the brain. Thus it is mainly used (in Europe) to treat those that suffer from dementia. There have been studies to suggest that this supplemental herb can also benefit those that suffer from Alzheimer's disease. However, a study was performed in 2008 on people that had Alzheimer's; they were divided into two groups where one received ginkgo and the other a placebo. The study concluded that those that took ginkgo showed the same effects as those that took a placebo, thus there was no difference in mental function or a decrease in Alzheimer's. More information on Ginkgo biloba, can be found through the link.
Some people however, still believe that it does improve memory, no matter what the study proved about it's effects (or lack of). The following video is a news report that talks about the findings of the study, and how an elderly lady believes that ginkgo improved her memory. Her claim is that when she was taking Ginkgo biloba her memory was fine, but when she stopped taking it her memory began to fade.
Wow! The information that you gave on the herb ginko bilboa was very informative and helpful. I also liked the video you posted I just wonder if their is more studies and research that is being done on the herbs effects and if there is any way to improve it.
ReplyDeleteI am not going to lie, for the first few sentences. I was going to believe that their was a plant to improve memory but i was fooled by creative writing. This was a very informative article on how Ginkgo biloba improves blood flow to the brain.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty awesome knowing there is a plant out there that might help enhance our memory, you stated above that the Chinese used it as traditional herbal medicine. Maybe it has to do something with being known as being the "smart" ones. It would be cool if it DID help our memory out!
ReplyDeleteI find it strange that doctors and researcher have evidence that Ginkgo biloba does not have a positive effect on memory, yet the consumers who use the herb claim that it works for them. If anything, those consumers should do more research themselves to find out what exactly the herb is actually doing to them. I agree with everyone, it will be awesome if there was a natural herb that could help maintain or prolong memory. Hopefully scientist will soon come up with substances that will help patients with Alzheimer's disease and other memory impairments.
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