Hunter Smith, Student Pharmacist Spring 2022
Scientific Name: Ginkgo biloba Common Names: Ginkgo, Kew Tree, Maidenhair Tree
Background: Ginkgo biloba is a large dioecious tree, part of the Ginkgoaceae family. Ginkgo trees nearly went extinct during the last ice age with only a few tertiary relict trees surviving in China. Ginkgo has been used medically for over a thousand years. The leaves have traditionally been used for asthma, and the seeds were used as a digestive aid and prevent drunkenness. Medical use of ginkgo in western medicine began in the 1960s to inhibit platelet activating factors and as free radical scavengers. Dosing: Ginkgo is commonly dosed at daily doses of 120 – 240 mg.
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Common Uses: • Cardiovascular protection • Chemopreventative • Dementia • Schizophrenia • Stroke • Cognitive function • Sexual dysfunction • Tinnitus
Dosage Forms: • Tea • Liquids • Colas • Capsules • Extracts • Tablets • Sprays • Bars
Pharmacology: Ginkgo biloba has many mechanisms of action from its two main active ingredients, terpene lactones and ginkgo flavone glycosides. 1. Ginkgo biloba acts as an antioxidant by acting as a free radical scavenger. 2. Triggers the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor and prostacyclin 3. Moderate nitric oxide production for vasodilation with inflammatory conditions 4. Antagonize platelet-activating factor. 5. In animal studies ginkgo extract reversibly inhibits the uptake of serotonin and dopamine as well as inhibit anticholinesterase. 73
