GINKGO BILOBA HELPS MAINTAIN BRAIN FUNCTION, MEMORY, AND ALERTNESS BY STIMULATING BLOOD CIRCULATION IN THE BRAIN

Ginkgo is widely used, especially in Europe, for treating dementia. The reason that ginkgo is thought to be helpful for preventing or treating these brain disorders is because it improves blood flow in the brain and because of its antioxidant properties. Clinical studies suggest that ginkgo provides the following benefits for people with Alzheimer's disease (AD):

• Improvement in thinking, learning, and memory
• Improvement in activities of daily living
• Improvement in social behavior
• Fewer feelings of depression

One recent study also found that ginkgo may be as effective as leading AD medications in delaying the symptoms of dementia in people with this debilitating condition. In addition, ginkgo is sometimes used preventively because it may delay the onset of AD in someone who is at risk for this type of dementia (for example, family history).

GINKGO HAS BEEN USEFUL IN TREATMENT OF OTHER CIRCULATION-RELATED DISORDERS

In addition, Ginkgo has been used to aid in diabetic peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud's syndrome, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. It can also aid in the treatment of insufficient circulation and complications from stroke and skull injuries. Ginkgo's beneficial effects on the circulatory system also can be of benefit in the treatment of eye and ear disorders.