Gingko Health Benefits

Aside from its obvious beauty, ginkgo is being used in the field of medicine. According to experts, such as Dr. Varro E. Tyler, research has uncovered some of its health benefits.

Believe it or not, the ginkgo tree is a living fossil. This is one of the oldest living species of trees in the world. There are fossils of this tree that date back millions of years. The fan shape of its leaves makes it easy to identify. Aside from its obvious beauty, ginkgo is being used in the field of medicine. According to experts, such as Dr. Varro E. Tyler, research has uncovered some of its health benefits.

Dr. Varro Tyler: Ginkgo is sold in this country as a dietary supplement. But in Europe it is an approved drug. It is widely used there to improve impaired peripheral circulation. Meaning that if the blood is not circulating properly in the legs or other extremities, or particularly in the brain, ginkgo can have a very beneficial effect.

Allen: Ginkgo can be a little pricey, particularly when you compare it to other herbal medicines, such as echinacea and garlic, but what do you expect from a tree that's millions of years old?

Dr. Varro Tyler: Purchase ginkgo in a standardized extract form which contains twenty-four percent flavonoids, six percent gingkolides. Those are the active principles.

To find ginkgo in the pill form, just go to any health food store and you'll find lots of products that include the active ingredient. There are many forms available, so you need to look for certain characteristics for the best results.