Cold hands and feet
A study done in patients with Raynaud’s disease found that over a 10-week period the number of attacks per week reduced by 56% in the group taking Ginkgo1. This research supports the traditional practice of how Ginkgo extracts can help with the circulation if you have cold hands and feet such as in the condition Raynaud’s syndrome.
Another study showed that patients between 60 and 70 years of age had increased blood flow through their capillaries (the tiniest blood vessels, which reach the ends of the fingers and toes, not to mention venturing into the ears and taking a turn around the brain) after 30 days on a Ginkgo extract.2
The bonus for these patients was that, due to their improved circulation, immune cells were better able to move around the body and do their job of hunting for infections that might be threatening us. The immune system doesn’t like a sluggish bloodstream, which can’t transport immune cells effectively.
So take some Ginkgo, sign up for tap-dancing, and keep warm during the winter.
Always remember that as Ginkgo discourages the platelets in the blood from clumping together, thereby reducing the likelihood of blood clots and strokes, it cannot be taken alongside other blood-thinning medication.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo is probably one of the oldest known medicinal herbs. Neither disease nor modern day atmospheric pollutants appear able to deter Ginkgo trees from strong growth.
Ginkgo biloba has been used medicinally by the Chinese for many thousands of years. Ginkgo is known to improve circulation, increasing the blood supply to all areas of the body. It is vitally important to maintain the bloodflow to the brain, as it can only last a couple of minutes without it.
Alfred Vogel wrote many years ago: “Everyone reasonably sensible and natural in his nutrition and lifestyle will be able to achieve a veritable regeneration and rejuvenation when taking a course of Ginkgo biloba.”
References
1- Muir AH et al. Vasc Med 2002; 7: 265-7
2- Suter A et al. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Arzneipflanzenforschung, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. 31.07.-04.08.2004