A Detailed Explanation of the Benefits, Effects, and Precautions for Taking Ginkgo Leaves
Ginkgo leaves have many effects and are extremely beneficial to human health. So, what exactly are the effects of ginkgo leaves? What precautions are there for taking ginkgo leaves?
1. What are the effects of ginkgo leaves?
1. Promotes blood circulation and prevents cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: analysis of the components of the essence extracted from ginkgo leaves found that components such as flavonoids, biflavones, and ginkgolides in ginkgo leaves can activate platelet function so that blood does not clot into lumps. At the same time, they can dilate blood vessels and promote blood circulation in the arteries and veins, thereby preventing cardiovascular diseases, cerebral thrombosis, and stroke.
2. Improves memory and prevents Alzheimer's disease: ginkgo can increase the level of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the body, and dopamine can improve the body's ability to transmit information. For older people whose intellectual function has already declined, ginkgo can improve their mental activity and prevent the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease.
3. Antioxidant effect: ginkgo leaves are rich in flavonoids. Research reports point out that flavonoids have an antioxidant effect, protecting the body from damage by free radicals and unstable molecules. Free radicals and unstable molecules can damage body tissues and healthy cells, making people prone to illness. The causes of free radicals may come from gene mutations, disease, aging, or environmental pollution, and so on. Antioxidant substances can prevent the formation of free radicals and make the body healthier.
4. Prevents the formation of blood clots: ginkgo can prevent platelets from sticking together, thereby preventing the formation of blood clots, and blood clots can lead to heart attack or stroke. If there is a blood clot in the artery leading to the heart, it will cause a heart attack; if a blood clot stays in the artery leading to the brain, it will cause a stroke.
2. Precautions for Taking Ginkgo Leaves
Ginkgo leaves contain a large amount of ginkgolic acid, and ginkgolic acid is toxic. Generally, the leaves bought have not undergone deep processing and extraction, and their ginkgolic acid content is as high as 3000-4000ppm. In particular, ginkgolic acid is water-soluble. Once steeped in water, not only do you fail to take in effective substances such as ginkgo flavonoids and ginkgolides, but the effect is the opposite: it is all poison inside!
The main component of ginkgo leaf tablets, flavonoid compounds, is a strong platelet-activating factor inhibitor. Long-term use may inhibit platelet aggregation and correspondingly increase the risk of cerebral hemorrhage. Therefore, older people should take ginkgo leaf tablets in moderation and pay attention to regularly testing their coagulation status, and should not blindly take them for a long time. For patients who already have senile vascular sclerosis and brittle blood vessels, they should especially not take them for a long time, so as to avoid causing cerebral hemorrhage.
Its side effects are relatively serious. Taking too much will cause poisoning, triggering muscle spasms and dilated pupils.
In traditional Chinese medicine, ginkgo leaves are contraindicated for those with excess pathogenic factors. Although ginkgo leaves can promote blood circulation and prevent cardiovascular disease, they cannot be taken at the same time as other cardiovascular medications