Ginkgo Biloba has many benefits for women’s health. This is important because a disadvantage in the scientific community has been treating men and women as interchangeable patients. This creates many problems not only for women but for everyone. Women make up more than half of the U.S. population and make 80% of healthcare decisions, yet their needs are unmet. The gender disparity in the United States is troubling, and it creates a void of knowledge about significant women’s health issues that need to be addressed1.
“In nearly 3/4 of cases where a disease primarily affects one gender, the so-called “men’s diseases” are overfunded while the “women’s diseases” are dramatically underfunded.2“
What is Ginkgo Biloba?
A supplement great for women is Ginkgo Biloba, also known as “maidenhair,” an ancient tree native to China with fan-shaped leaves. Ginkgo is one of the oldest living tree species on Earth, which is why it has another nickname, “living fossil.” It is a fruit-bearing tree, but the fruit is inedible due to its poisonous seeds. Although scientists have identified over 40 components of Ginkgo Biloba, only two have advantageous medicinal properties. These two helpful components are:
- flavonoids
- terpenoids
Reduction in Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Symptoms
Two studies were conducted using Ginkgo, and they discovered that the extract decreased symptoms of PMS. The women in the studies took the Ginkgo extract on the 16th day of their menstrual cycle and ceased taking it on the fifth day of their next cycle. With this slightly complicated dosing schedule, women found a reduction in symptoms that they usually experience during this period of time3.
A Powerful Antioxidant
Many of the benefits of Ginkgo are believed to come from the two components, flavonoids and terpenoids, which are both known for their potent antioxidant effects. Antioxidants are invaluable to a healthy body because they fight off free radicals, which can run rampant in our system. An overabundance of free radicals can lead to oxidative stress, which can then lead us to be susceptible to significant diseases. Eating food such as blueberries and spinach or taking supplements such as Ginkgo Biloba decreases or neutralizes the damaging effects of free radicals on our bodies4.
Increases a Women’s Libido
Ginkgo’s ability to improve blood flow to all areas of the body has an aphrodisiac effect on women. Since the improvement of blood flow includes erogenous regions of the body, women have found that Ginkgo extract can increase their libido and deepen the pleasure of an orgasm.
Additionally, in both peri-menopausal and menopausal women, Ginkgo Biloba extract has shown promising effects in reviving their sex drive. It also has been shown to balance hormones and increase estrogen levels which can also increase a woman’s libido5.
Cognitive Improvement
Though it is not entirely clear how Ginkgo Biloba improves cognitive function, many with dementia or older adults seem to benefit from taking this supplement. Whether it is the increased blood flow to the brain or the power of the antioxidants reducing oxidative stress, Ginkgo seems to improve certain aspects of cognitive function and preserve memory in older adults. However, younger people have not found similar results in this area6.
Other Health Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba
There are numerous health claims from Ginkgo Biloba. Although more human testing is needed to ascertain if these claims are scientifically legitimate, many people have reported help with the following health problems:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Anxiety
- Bronchitis
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Hypertension
- Glaucoma
- Tinnitus7
These health benefits can be attributed to the powerful antioxidant effects of Ginkgo and its ability to improve blood flow to all areas of the body.
Like other women’s health issues, more studies need to be conducted to determine precisely how Ginkgo Biloba has so many health benefits, with little science to back it up. But, optimistically, we can hope that the gender disparity in our health system can be overcome and that both genders can reap the benefits of scientific discovery.
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**These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References:
- Gender Disparity in The Funding of Diseases By The U.S. National Institutes Of Health, https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/epub/10.1089/jwh.2020.8682.
- Underfunding of Research In Women’s Health Issues Is The Biggest Missed Opportunity In Health Care, https://www.rand.org/blog/2022/02/underfunding-of-research-in-womens-health-issues-is.html.
- Ginkgo, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-ginkgo/art-20362032#:~:text=The%20most%20helpful%20components%20of,the%20%22stickiness%22%20of%20platelets.
- Ginkgo Biloba, https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/ginkgo-biloba.
- Ginkgo Biloba, https://examine.com/supplements/ginkgo-biloba/,
- Everything You Need To Know About Gingko Biloba, https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ginkgo-biloba/.
- The Health Benefits And Side Effects Of Ginkgo Biloba, https://www.verywellmind.com/ginkgo-what-should-you-know-about-it-88329.