Ginkgo biloba is one of the most effective plants when it comes to improving concentration and overall mental performance. But that's not all. At the same time, the plant not only supports memory but also counteracts stress.
This article provides you with all the information you need to know about how it works, what the uses and side effects of Ginkgo are, and where you can best buy this mental booster.
Table of contents
1. What is Ginkgo biloba?
Have you never heard of Ginkgo biloba? Then it's about time you did, because the extract from the tree's fan-shaped leaves has numerous effects on your physical and mental performance .
The giant tree, which is particularly widespread in China, is one of the oldest plant species in existence. Tree ancestors have existed on Earth for almost 300 million years. In many countries, but especially in Asia, the tree has always been known as a symbol of energy , strength , and longevity .
Also known as the fan-leaf tree , which gets its name from the shape of its leaves, it is easily identified by its silvery seed coat .
Anyone who has ever taken a walk through Berlin will most likely have encountered the ginkgo tree. In the capital, ginkgo has a long tradition as a street tree because of its extreme resistance to car exhaust fumes and road salt.
But that's far from all that makes the ginkgo tree so special. In medicine and herbal medicine, the power of the leaves has long been known. However, the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba are not used directly; instead, they are processed into a potent extract .
There are two main reasons for this: Since the active ingredients of ginkgo leaves are poorly soluble in water, the body has difficulty utilizing them.
Furthermore, consuming ginkgo leaves directly can be harmful, as the leaves contain numerous other substances that can trigger allergies. Therefore, ginkgo tree extract contains only the effective and health-promoting ingredients in high concentrations.
Take-Home Message #1: Ginkgo biloba has a long tradition of use as a medicinal plant in Asian countries. It has long been known there that ginkgo biloba makes the body more resistant to stress and simultaneously improves mental performance.
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2. The positive effect of ginkgo on the brain
Ginkgo biloba, or rather the plant's extract, is primarily known for its concentration-enhancing effect . This is because ginkgo biloba improves blood flow to the brain . Blood plays an extremely important role in this process, as red blood cells transport all kinds of molecules throughout the body.
This includes micronutrients and, above all, oxygen , which is transported to the nerve cells in the brain. This process is essential for the nerve cells to function properly and for the optimal transmission of stimuli and information in the brain.
If blood flow to the brain is poor , your concentration and overall mental performance also suffer . Ginkgo biloba has another effect. Improved blood flow also supplies the cells' powerhouses with more micronutrients .
These powerhouses are called mitochondria, and through improved blood flow, they can produce more energy, which is then available to your brain. This was recently demonstrated by a study from the University of Northumbria in England. [1]
The attention-enhancing effect of Ginkgo biloba is demonstrated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Twenty subjects received 120 mg, 240 mg, or 360 mg of Ginkgo extract.
Cognitive performance was assessed using a computerized test before administration and one, two and a half, four, and six hours after administration. The improvements from the two highest doses were also evident in performance six hours after administration.
Take-Home Message #2: Ginkgo biloba leaves have a positive effect on your brain performance because they supply it with more oxygen and micronutrients. This has a positive effect on your brain's energy supply, significantly increasing your ability to concentrate.
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3. The effect of Ginkgo biloba against stress
Ginkgo biloba leaves not only have a positive effect on your concentration, but can also combat stress . How does this work?
A study by the Laboratory of Pharmacological Neuroendocrinology in Bratislava examined the stress-reducing effects of ginkgo in more detail. [2] This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study describes the diverse positive effects of ginkgo.
Seventy young people between 20 and 30 years of age received a single dose of 120 mg of extract. The blood pressure of the ginkgo group was lower after a stressful situation than with placebo. Ginkgo also reduced the concentration of free cortisol in saliva.
This is important because cortisol , also known as the stress hormone, can be extremely damaging in chronic stress. Too much of this hormone in your body can lead to both mental and physical illnesses, such as high blood pressure, insomnia, and a weak immune system.
But your brain, in particular, suffers from high cortisol levels, as a study by the Department of Biological Sciences at Stanford University has now discovered. [3]
The results of the study showed that nerve cells in the brain suffer from cortisol because they are, in a sense, overstimulated by the hormone. As a result, the cells age faster or their regeneration is inhibited, which in turn can lead to concentration difficulties and even memory loss.
Furthermore, there is another interesting effect of Ginkgo biloba leaves, which is probably less known and is also related to cortisol levels .
A study by the University of Hong Kong found that ginkgo can also improve the training effect in athletes . [4] It is important to note that ginkgo cannot do this alone, but only in combination with another plant substance, namely rhodiola rosea.
Rhodiola rosea is one of the most effective adaptogenic herbs and is known for its harmonizing and stress-reducing power on the body. A study from the University of Hong Kong has now found that rhodiola rosea and ginkgo can improve training results in athletes by lowering cortisol levels and protecting against fatigue.
This was the finding in a study involving 70 healthy young men. The subjects received either four capsules of Ginkgo biloba (270 mg each) or a corresponding placebo over seven weeks.
Endurance, testosterone, and plasma cortisol were measured before and after the test. In the placebo group, cortisol levels increased during the endurance test, while in the ginkgo group, they remained constant.
By reducing cortisol release after exercise , Ginkgo allows the body to build muscle tissue more easily and thus improve the training effect.
The reason for this is that cortisol is a catabolic hormone and promotes the breakdown of muscle tissue. By reducing this process, ginkgo simply makes your workout more efficient.
Take-Home Message #3: Studies have shown that ginkgo extract, when taken before physical or mental stress, can prevent or reduce the resulting increase in cortisol levels, thus improving your mental and physical performance!
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4. The benefits of Ginkgo biloba at a glance
1. Ginkgo improves your mental performance.
2. Ginkgo lowers blood pressure and cortisol secretion during stress.
3. Ginkgo improves the training effect in athletes.
5. The correct use and side effects of Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba as an ingredient can generally be purchased over the counter in drugstores and pharmacies, where these supplements are capsules or tablets made from ginkgo extract.
However, these are only suitable for limited use because the active ingredient composition, and especially the concentration of Ginkgo biloba, is manipulated. As studies have already shown, you should be extremely careful when using Ginkgo to ensure you use the correct dosage .
If the concentration is too low, the extract simply won't work, and you won't have a positive experience with Gingko. Supplements should contain a minimum dose of 100 mg of extract .
You should also make sure that you take the supplement for at least eight weeks so that it can develop its full effectiveness.
The side effects of ginkgo extract are extremely minor , or rare . Possible side effects include stomach upset and dizziness , but these only occur when the supplement is used in extremely high doses .
6. Where can you buy Ginkgo biloba?
If you've been convinced by the numerous benefits of ginkgo leaves and want to buy Ginkgo biloba extract, you should make sure you use the right supplement.
Most conventional ginkgo preparations available at drugstores contain only inferior extract or in too low a concentration. It's also important to note that ginkgo achieves its full effect best when combined with other plant substances.
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7. Conclusion
Ginkgo biloba has been a symbol of strength, energy, and longevity for hundreds of years. The valuable extract from the Ginkgo biloba leaves has numerous positive effects on your mental performance, stress resistance, and even on the training effect of athletes. When purchasing, you should pay particular attention to high quality and a minimum concentration of 100 mg per dosage.
8. Sources
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11026748
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12369732
3. http://www.jneurosci.org/content/10/9/2897
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/19568709/
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