The drug "Ginkgo biloba" - a drug whose main active ingredient is a plant of the same name. It is produced by various companies: Evalar, Vertex, Doppelherz and others.
Ginkgo biloba (dinosaur tree, silver apricot, girl’s braids, temple tree) is a relic plant that has remained since ancient times and has wonderful healing properties. This tree, which grew on the planet during the time of the dinosaurs in the Jurassic period of the Mesozoic era. The plant retained the genetic memory of its ancestors - ancient ferns and algae. The Ginkgoids spread widely throughout the earth during the time of the dinosaurs, were part of the forests even in the area where Siberia is now located. Global cataclysms led to the disappearance from the face of the earth of giant reptiles, and at the same time the plant world of the Mesozoic era. The ice age put an end to the heyday of gymnosperms, and only the ginkgo biloba or bilobate remained of the Ginkgo.
Discovery story
Charles Darwin called this plant a "living fossil", mentioned in ancient Chinese manuscripts from the 6-8th century. The Chinese in ancient times appreciated the wonderful properties of this plant. They worship it as sacred, calling it the "tree of life." In fan-shaped leaves, in their opinion, there is a combination of male and female principles, yin and yang.
Ginkgo biloba was described in the monograph “Great Herbs” by the 16th-century doctor Li Shi-zhen. In 1691, the doctor and botanist Engelbert Kempfer discovered this plant in the temple garden of a Buddhist monastery. The seeds of ginkgo or “temple tree” were brought to Europe in the 18th century, and the healing properties began to be actively studied only in the 20th century. One famous ginkgo tree grows near Hiroshima, which survived the bombing. It somehow miraculously survived in the courtyard of the temple destroyed at that time, although it grew only a kilometer from the epicenter of a nuclear explosion.
Appearance
This is a fairly large tree, it reaches a height of 20-35 meters, and sometimes 50 meters. This tree has a well-developed root system and has long and bare branches with bunches of small fan-shaped leaves at the ends. Young ginkgo trees are slender and elongated, have a wide pyramidal crown.
Over the years, the top of the pyramid becomes more rounded. The leaves have a bluish-green color, are divided into two lobes. Autumn leaves of ginkgo are very beautiful, acquire a saffron yellow hue. This plant is a dioecious, that is, it has male microsporangia and female ovules at the ends of shoots. This unique tree belongs to the Ginkgo family, class and department.
Where is it growing?
This unique tree grows exclusively in China, in the Anhui province. But it is specially grown for medicinal and decorative purposes in different regions with a temperate and warm climate. Therefore, ginkgo biloba is found in Europe, North America and East Asia, Australia, China and New Zealand.
It decorates avenues, streets and city parks. They plant it not only for decorative purposes, but also because it is very resistant to various adverse factors, such as environmental pollution, parasites, fungi and even radiation.
The largest plantations of this plant grown as raw materials for pharmaceutical companies exist. They are located in Bordeaux (France) and in South Carolina (United States).
How is the collection of raw materials?
The raw materials for the Ginkgo Biloba medicines are the leaves of this plant. They are harvested during the growing season; yellow fall foliage is most valued. Leaves are collected using special equipment or manually.
Raw leaves are dried in large drums, but at home, then in the oven. The finished raw material looks like dry green or yellow sheets, odorless, but they taste sour-bitter. Of these, Ginkgo extracts are ultimately obtained, which are added to the drugs of the pharmacological industry.
At home, decoctions and tinctures are prepared from ginkgo, seeds are also used. Seeds, in turn, are extracted from ripened ginkgo fruits. They ripen in September and October, but for greater effectiveness in cleaning the pulp, the fruits are harvested after the first frost. After extraction, the seeds are washed and dried.
Chemical composition
Ginkgo leaves contain more than one hundred biologically active compounds. For example, these are unique terpene trilactones: bilobalide and ginkgolides. In dry leaves, the content of these substances is in the range from 5 to 12 percent. In addition, from 22 to 27 percent are bioflavonoids, including isoramnetin, kempferol, quercetin.
The leaves also contain tannins, polysaccharides, organic acids, catechins, essential, fatty oils and wax. It also contains an enzyme - superoxide dismutase, which is an antioxidant. Plant seeds contain proteins that are similar to those of legumes, valerianic and butyric acid, phytosterols, carotene, starch and sugar.
Beneficial features
Ginkgo biloba has a lot of useful properties. It has antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, expectorant, sedative, stimulating, astringent properties. This unique plant can be considered a panacea for many diseases. Ginkgo biloba extract is used to create so many drugs. Basically, they treat the circulatory, nervous system, and ginkgo is part of anti-aging drugs.
Impact on the circulatory system
This plant has the most powerful therapeutic effect on the circulatory system. The drug "Ginkgo biloba" has a beneficial effect on venous and arterial and capillary circulation. The vessels become more flexible, their walls are strengthened under the influence of these drugs. After all, a violation of the normal movement of blood throughout the body sometimes leads to diseases of the internal organs. If blood flow is normalized with the help of ginkgo preparations, it is thus possible to protect the work of organs and tissues. That is why these drugs prevent heart attacks and strokes, and also eliminate their consequences. They are also used in the treatment of eye diseases, with varicose veins and other diseases caused by circulatory disorders. It positively affects patients with hemorrhoids and impotence. Doctors recommend it to those who suffer from migraines, frequent dizziness, memory loss, ringing in the ears.
Effect on the nervous system
Ginkgo biloba is a good way to improve brain function. After all, it contributes to the saturation of the brain with oxygen. Improves cognitive function. The plant is often included in dietary supplements and healthy food: bars, cocktails, drinks. These funds enhance mental activity, which is very important for students and other students. The recommended minimum dose of ginkga extract is 240 mg per day.
Another useful property of ginkgo is its antihistamine effect. It prevents obstruction of the bronchi in case of allergy attacks. Therefore, drugs from this plant are prescribed for patients with asthma. In addition, ginkgo improves immunity and helps with nervous disorders and depression.
Anti-aging effect
The beneficial properties of "Ginkgo biloba" affect the age of a person. Since the plant contains flavonoids - powerful natural antioxidants, it slows down the destruction of tissues, including in the brain. Flavonoids also protect against harmful ultraviolet radiation. Ginkgo has long been considered a means to prolong youth and increase stamina. It is part of cosmetics, helps to cope with various skin problems. In the future they plan to treat senile dementia.
Contraindications
Side effects from taking Ginkgo Biloba are sometimes observed. There may be an upset stomach, headache, dizziness. An allergic rash may sometimes appear. The use of Ginkgo Biloba is incompatible with blood thinners. Also, do not take it less than two days before possible abdominal operations and a trip to the dentist. Ginkgo is contraindicated in patients with epilepsy, as it can cause seizures. Also, do not take it during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Those who have diabetes or are taking antidepressants should consult a doctor before using drugs.
Drugs that include ginkgo
In the drug "Ginkgo biloba" from "Evalar" contains 40 mg of extract extracted from ginkgo. This product is available in capsules and tablets. It stimulates brain activity, improves the functioning of the circulatory system, and is used to restore hearing, vision and speech. Effectively copes with headache, dizziness, tinnitus. Normalizes blood pressure. In addition, the medicine acts as an antioxidant, helps remove toxins from the body. Treatment occurs within three months, under the supervision of a doctor.
The Ginkgo Biloba from Doppelherz is another drug designed to improve brain function. It contains 30 mg of ginkga extract, also vitamins B6 and B2. It is applied as dietary supplement. Favorably affects mental abilities and memory. The medicine is used for dizziness, headaches and migraines, memory loss, senile sclerosis.
The drug from Vertex is used as a food supplement in order to strengthen and make the walls of blood vessels more elastic, improve blood circulation in the capillaries, and improve metabolism at the cellular level. The composition includes 80 mg of ginkga extract. Take strictly according to the instructions, having studied the contraindications of ginkgo biloba and under the supervision of a doctor.
It is forbidden to take this drug for stomach ulcers, pregnancy, severe circulatory disorders.
"Tanakan." This medicine contains 40 mg of ginkga extract. It is made in France. The drug prevents the occurrence of blood clots, tissue edema, diabetes mellitus, hypoxia. Improves memory, sleep, eyesight and is a general tonic. When used, it has anti-inflammatory, sedative and diuretic effects. Recommended in the treatment of Raynaud’s disease, Alzhemer, atherosclerosis, visual impairment. The course of taking the medicine lasts 3 months. It is contraindicated in diseases of the digestive tract, like other drugs with ginkgo biloba. This medicine also has analogues, for example, “Bilobil”, it is almost two times cheaper.
Memoplant is sold in round tablets. The course of admission lasts 3 months, after which a repeat is possible. This drug is used as a recovery agent after strokes, traumatic brain injuries and brain operations. It is also recommended for violations of the vestibular apparatus, dizziness, Alzheimer's disease and obliterating atherosclerosis. Contraindicated in case of allergies to components, gastric ulcer and pregnancy and feeding.