The medicinal use of ginkgo leaves was first recorded in "Southern Yunnan Materia Medica". Li Shizhen's "Compendium of Materia Medica" also records that ginkgo leaves are also called duck feet because they resemble duck paws.

There are few records of Ginkgo biloba in ancient herbal medicine. It was not until modern Chinese medicine that its blood-activating and analgesic effects were summarized. In the 1980s, foreign scientists extracted substances from ginkgo leaves that had the effect of delaying and improving vascular sclerosis. Ginkgo biloba was widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine and chemical medicine.

1. Chest tightness and heartache

Ginkgo biloba has the effect of activating blood circulation, removing blood stasis and relieving pain. According to the "Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine", it can be used for chest tightness, heartache and palpitations. In modern times, it is used for coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. It has the effect of dilating coronary arteries and improving coronary blood flow.

It is often used alone or in combination with Ligusticum chuanxiong and safflower to increase the effect of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis.

Clinical reports have used Ginkgo biloba dropping pills to treat unstable angina pectoris due to coronary heart disease.

2. Diarrhea and dysentery

Ginkgo biloba can astringe the intestines and stop diarrhea, and is used for long-term diarrhea. "Ben Cao Pin Hui Jing Yao" records that it can be mixed with noodles and made into cakes. Clinical reports collect fresh ginkgo leaves from August to October, soak them in boiling water and take them for diarrhea in children.

3. Chronic cough and asthma

I wrote before that ginkgo seeds, ginkgo, have the effect of relieving coughs and relieving asthma. Ginkgo leaves can also astringe the lungs, relieve coughs and relieving asthma. For long-term cough and asthma, it can be used alone. For example, Ginkgo biloba oral liquid can be used for chronic bronchitis, and Ginkgo biloba has been used for asthma in the remission period. [Clinical Collection, 1999, 14(4):151-152]

4. Skin diseases

Ancient Materia Medica records that Ginkgo biloba can be used externally for freckles, pediatric burns, and elephant skin legs. , paint sores, onychomycosis, corns, etc.

5. Hyperlipidemia

The 2010 edition of the "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" records that Ginkgo biloba has a blood-lipid-lowering effect and is used for hyperlipidemia.

1. Ginkgo leaf extract can dilate cardiovascular and cerebrovascular and peripheral blood vessels, reduce vascular resistance, increase blood flow, and prevent cardiac and cerebral ischemia and hypoxia. Ginkgo biloba injection combined with edaravone (a brain protective agent) has been clinically used to treat acute cerebral infarction [Journal of Yan'an University (Medical Science Edition), 2009, 7(4):21]. Ginkgo leaf extract has also been used for chronic ischemic encephalopathy to improve cerebral blood flow and hemodynamic function [Chongqing Medicine, 2010, 39(18):2475].

2. The flavonoids and ginkgolides contained in ginkgo leaf extract can protect nerve cells, promote the recovery of brain cell function, and have antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects. Therefore, it is commonly used during the recovery period of some brain injuries, brain infections and other diseases. Ginkgo leaf extract has also been used clinically for Alzheimer's disease to improve patients' cognitive function and ability to handle daily life. [Chinese Modern Drug Application, 2010, 4(4):7]

3. Ginkgo leaf extract can reduce serum cholesterol and increase phospholipids. Ginkgo biloba capsules are clinically used for hyperlipidemia [Journal of Modern Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 2010, 19(21):2661].

4. The flavonoids in ginkgo leaves can resist bronchoconstriction and have a certain antiasthmatic effect.

1. Ginkgo biloba has astringent properties, and its use may aggravate the disease if it is harmful, so it should be used with caution.

2. A few patients have experienced reactions such as loss of appetite, nausea, loose stools, abdominal distension, dry mouth, nasal congestion, dizziness, headache, and rash when taking Ginkgo biloba. People with weak spleen and stomach who are prone to allergies should use it with caution.

# Doctor Doka Super Energy Group #

Reference materials

"Southern Yunnan Materia Medica", "Compendium of Materia Medica", "Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine", "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" Chinese Clinical Materia Medica"