Treating Alzheimer's with Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a popular herb that comes from one of the oldest living trees. The tree itself can live for a very long time, as long as a thousand years. The tree produces fruit that is inedible, and its seeds are poisonous to humans, but the extract from the leaves is medicinal.

Ginkgo biloba widens blood vessels, allowing blood to reach the brain and nourish it. The herb has been found to increase memory and alertness, thus aiding in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The herb may slow down or reverse the effects of Alzheimer's disease by getting rid of free radicals, which destroy tissue and impair ability in a normal brain.

Ginkgo biloba is already used in Europe to treat dementia. Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia, so the therapeutic effects of the herb on Alzheimer's disease seem promising The Gingko biloba herb is placed in drinks, shakes, smoothies, breakfast bars, granola bars and teas to improve memory and alertness.

The recommended length of dosage for adults without Alzheimer's disease is to take ginkgo biloba for four to six weeks. Even after that, time it is recommended that continuing the herb be heeded. This herb is not for children, As with many drugs or active ingredients, the dosage and effects of the herb may be too much for a child's developing body.

The recommended dose for adults without Alzheimer's disease is to take 120 milligrams of ginkgo biloba throughout the day. This means that 40 milligrams can be taken at breakfast, another 40 milligrams at lunch and a final 40 milligrams at dinner time. If your diet consists of eating smaller more frequent meals, you can take 20 milligrams at each of six meals per day to complete the recommended 120 milligrams.

The recommended dose for adults with Alzheimer's disease is 240 milligrams of ginkgo biloba throughout the day. Preferably, the dosage should be divided into 2 or 3 doses a day. This means that 120 milligrams should be given at breakfast and 120 milligrams should be given at dinner. If the dosage is split three ways, 80 milligrams should be given at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

There are a few side effects to be aware of when taking ginkgo biloba. Upset stomach, dizziness, headaches and skin problems should alert someone as not normal when taking the herb. Never take ginkgo biloba while taking another blood-thinner such as Coumadin (warfarin), because gingko biloba is also a blood thinner.