Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Ginkgo bilobaGinkgo biloba (ginkgo) is a deciduous tree native to China that can live for thousands of years. A natural source of antioxidants, ginkgo has been used for medicine and food for some 5000 years, but has only been cultivated for its healing properties in North America and Europe for the past few hundred years.
The fan-shaped leaves of the ginkgo tree are rich in flavonoids like kaempferol glycoside, quercetin glycoside, ginkgolides, and bilobalide, all of which are responsible for its great reputation as a plant medicine.
What Does Ginkgo Do?
The Journal of Sex Education and Therapy reported that ginkgo extract can help support healthy male sexual performance. In fact, ginkgo has a beneficial effect on each of the four phases of the sexual cycle: desire, arousal, orgasm, and relaxation.
Ginkgo extract supports a healthy cardiovascular system and is often used by menopausal and postmenopausal women to help alleviate related symptoms. Ginkgo also possesses neuroprotective qualities. This "memory phytomedicine" is also given to women who suffer from menopausal forgetfulness, as its ability to support healthy blood flow to the brain can help maintain healthy cognitive function. Ginkgo has also been used to support overall healthy aging.
Ginkgo can also support healthy energy levels, as it helps maintain the cells' healthy production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body's cellular fuel, while also supporting the use of glucose by the body for energy.
Ginkgo Studies
Ginkgo biloba is a fairly well-studied herb, with clinical trials supporting benefits for everything from cognitive function and memory to cardiovascular and eye health, to overall feelings of well-being. One animal study suggested that ginkgo may also possess some neuro-protective properties. A single-blind, randomized trial showed that ginkgo was helpful in soothing symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
Ginkgo's ability to promote healthy blood flow and its relaxant effect on smooth muscle tissue also support its use in promoting sexual health and satisfaction in women. In one study, a ginkgo blend improved sexual desire and sexual satisfaction in women suffering from self-reported low libido. When combined with sex therapy, ginkgo was shown to increase sexual desire and arousal in women. Another study supported ginkgo's use in increasing sexual desire in postmenopausal women.
Studies have also shown that ginkgo's ability to relax the blood vessels and support healthy blood flow might result in better sexual health and desire-related performance in men. In one study, ginkgo was shown to improve sexual desire (libido) and orgasms in the men who suffered from sexual issues due to antidepressant use.
The following effects of ginkgo on men and women have been documented:
- Helps support healthy blood flow to sexual organs
- Helps maintain healthy cognitive function
- Supports healthy oxygen supply to the brain
- Helps soothe stress
Read full Ginkgo biloba study: Ginkgo Biloba Study