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What are the efficacy, effects, and side effects of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract?

Nov 25, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Ginkgo biloba leaf extract is a traditional Chinese medicine preparation, primarily derived from the leaves of the ginkgo tree. Under normal circumstances, the effects and functions of ginkgo leaf include improving blood circulation, antioxidant effects, anti-inflammatory effects, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, regulating blood lipids and blood glucose levels, etc. Side effects mainly include gastrointestinal discomfort, headache, allergic reactions, unstable blood pressure, and a tendency to bleed.

　　Ginkgo biloba leaf is a traditional Chinese medicine preparation, primarily derived from the leaves of the ginkgo tree. Generally speaking, the effects and functions of ginkgo leaf mainly include improving blood circulation, antioxidant effects, anti-inflammatory effects, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, regulating blood lipids and glucose levels, etc. The side effects mainly include gastrointestinal discomfort, headache, allergic reactions, unstable blood pressure, and bleeding tendencies. However, medications should be used under the guidance of a professional physician. The detailed analysis is as follows:

　　

　　I. Effects and Functions

　　1. Improve blood circulation: Ginkgo leaves are rich in flavonoids and terpene lactones, which can dilate blood vessels, reduce blood viscosity, and thus promote blood circulation, particularly effective in microcirculation in the brain and limbs.

　　2. Antioxidant effects: Ginkgo biloba leaves contain abundant antioxidant components such as flavonoids and vitamin C. These components can remove free radicals in the body, reduce oxidative stress, protect cells from oxidative damage, and thus delay the aging process.

　　3. Anti-inflammatory effects: Ginkgo biloba leaves have certain anti-inflammatory properties, capable of inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors and reducing inflammatory responses. This provides a certain degree of adjunctive treatment for chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and enteritis.

　　4. Promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis: The extract from ginkgo leaves has the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, showing good therapeutic effects on conditions such as angina pectoris, stroke, hemiplegia, and speech impairment caused by blood stasis blocking the meridians.

　　5. Regulate blood lipids and glucose: Ginkgo biloba leaves can improve blood lipid profiles by reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, helping to prevent metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia.

　　II. Side Effects

　　1. Gastrointestinal discomfort: Patients may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea after taking ginkgo biloba leaves. These are usually common side effects, often related to irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa by the medication.

　　2. Headache: A small number of patients may experience headaches after taking ginkgo biloba leaves. This may be related to the drug's vasodilatory mechanism, but the symptoms are usually mild and can resolve spontaneously.

　　3. Allergic reactions: If patients are allergic to any components in ginkgo biloba leaves, allergic reactions may occur after administration. Symptoms of allergic reactions may include skin itching, swelling, rash, etc.

　　4. Blood pressure instability: Ginkgo biloba leaves have a certain hypotensive effect, but in some cases, they may also cause elevated blood pressure. Therefore, patients should closely monitor blood pressure changes during treatment with ginkgo biloba leaves.

　　5. Bleeding tendency: Due to the anti-platelet aggregation effect of ginkgo biloba leaves, some patients may experience bleeding tendencies such as gum bleeding, nosebleeds, and subcutaneous bruising after taking the medication.

　　If any physical discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention at a hospital as soon as possible and follow the doctor's instructions for treatment.

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