Ginkgo
biloba Anhang
[Hafeezullah Baig (India)]
Ginkgo biloba is recognised throughout the world as a beneficial
medicine for the problems associated with aging. It has a record of curing many
geriatric problems since early in human history and is a clinical remedy in
Homoeopathy. An attempt is made to verify the clinical symptoms and add a few
more. An extensive proving is needed to bring out many more beneficial
utilities of the drug. The present study proved that C 1 is more effective than
mother tincture. The recommended dose is 1 tab (250 mg) 2x daily and tapered
slowly and stopped after considerable improvement.
An observational clinical study was conducted at the Drug
Standardisation Unit,
* After considering the
inclusion criteria, the cases are selected for study.
* A complete case taking is
made highlighting geriatric problems in anatomical manner.
* Complete blood picture;
complete urine examination; fasting blood sugar; post lunch blood sugar; total
cholesterol; blood urea; serum creatinine tests were conducted at entry and as
when required
till the study was over.
* Allopathic medication for
diabetes and hypertension were allowed to continue.
* No other homoeopathic
medicine was given in all the enrolled cases for a period of one year of the
study.
* Improvement assessment was
initiated after 1 month of the use of GB(Q, C 1).
* Not improved cases were
dropped from the study.
* Improved cases were
continued with GB (Q or C 1) and or followed up till next 11 months or earlier
depending upon the improvement of the geriatric problems.
* Final assessment was made by
compiling the data.
30 geriatric subjects were selected from the OPD, in age group 60 - 74
years belonging to both sexes (M-19, F-21)
Included:
* Age above 60 years and below
75 years
* Suffering from common
geriatric problems in less intensity
* Well controlled individuals
with diabetes mellitus or hypertension under allopathic medication
Excluded:
* Age below 60 years and above
75 years
* Individuals with
uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or hypertension under allopathic medication.
* Those suffering from any
serious systemic illnesses.
* Those suffering from
psychiatric problems and taking allopathic medication.
* Individuals using anti
coagulants or anti depressants.
All selected cases are randomly given GB Q or C 1 (10 cases Q and 20
cases C 1)
Potency, dosage and repetition: GB Q was given 10 drops 2x daily in ½
cup of drinking water. GB C 1 was given in 1 tab (250mg) 2x daily. The same
dosage was continued if improvement was mild.
If improvement was marked the dosage was gradually tapered and stopped.
Improvement assessed after 1 month of use of GB (Q or C 1) in the
following way:
* If a patient did not improve
in any of the geriatric problems he was suffering with, that case is considered
as not improved and was dropped from the study.
* If patient improves in one
or more geriatric problems, then such case is considered as improved and
further follow up is made.
* The same dosage of medicine
was continued till the patient markedly improved.
* Once marked improvement is
observed in the geriatric problems, then the dosage is slowly tapered and then
stopped.
* After 1 year of follow up
the improvement status is tabulated in an anatomical manner starting from mind
and ending with modalities i.e. from above downwards
Result: Out of 30 cases selected for study, 10 were given Q and 20 C 1.
The outcome result showed that 2 cases have improved by Q out of 10 cases and
17 cases with C 1 out of 20, in various geriatric problems (see table –II).
2 cases had Hb less than 10g % and on treatment have improved by C 1;
Out of 4 diabetic patients 2 have improved in their sugar level with C 1; 5
cases had increased pus cell in urine with urinary problems. 3 have improved
with C 1 and 1 case with Q; 4 cases had albumin in urine before treatment and 2
have improved with C 1; Systolic and diastolic pressure was considerably
decreased by C 1 in 2 cases; 2 cases each with diabetic and hypertensive
retinopathy showed improvement clinically (see table III).
The minimum duration of treatment followed in Q and C 1 was 1 month
where as max. duration of treatment followed in Q was 3 months and C 1 was up
to 1 year.
Discussion: Ginko biloba remains as a clinical remedy in homoeopathy. A
small proving was carried out in 1993 by E.A. Maury and his team with the
mother tincture and C 6 potency,
bringing out few fractional proving data. A large stock of clinical
symptoms from various sources revealed a broad utility for the drug. Extensive
clinical trials have been conducted in
which people took standardized GBE at doses of 120mg - 240mg daily for
up to 1 year without any side effects. The present study verified the same with
GB C 1 used in doses of 250mg –
500mg for 1 year.
As cautioned in the study by De Smet, our study has excluded cases who
are under treatment with anti coagulants. Hahnemann suggested trituration as
the superior method for preparing homoeopathic medicine in aphorism 271 of 6th
edition of organon of medicine and the same was demonstrated in our study.
Conclusion: It is demonstrated from the clinical study that people
suffering with disorders like loss of mental alertness, difficulty in
concentration, heaviness of head, disturbed vision and
hearing, paresthesia of the palms and soles, fissures and cracks in
skin, angular stomatitis, cramps in calf muscles, impotency etc. are found to
be immensely benefited with GB C 1, by virtue
of the drug increasing blood flow to brain and other parts of the body
thereby delivering the required nutrients and oxygen to every cell. Further, it
may also be considered after organ
transplantation to bring functional harmony.
Table – I
Symbolic resemblance
S.No Gingko biloba tree Gingko biloba patient
1 In the East it is considered
a symbol of longevity, *Has
a tendency to live long and hence a great hope for relatives and friends; leap
back with normal activities by taking this drug.
hope, resilience and
peace. By and large they are
peaceful loving persons.
2 The tree is grown by
Chinese monks in temple gardens. *Basically
these patients are from orthodox families and highly principled. They spend
much time in religious gatherings.
3 Shimenawas
or cords of rice straw are tied around trunk *Patients
due to their orthodox nature tie thread on arms and neck to the needed person
for keeping away from evil spirits.
of the tree
to fend of evil spirits.
4 Leaves
which are fan-shaped have been prized for their *Patients are beautiful with joyful look, hence considered
geriatric model.
beauty, hence copied by artist and
heralded in literature.
5 In
for their grandsons
6 It is a national tree of
logos of the city of
7 The female Gingko
produces oval orange fruit *Basically
due to the non adjusting nature with grand children and bad smell due to
incontinence of urine she is not accepted by the which produce rancid butter smell and hence male plants are grand children.
planted in the urban area rather
than the female plant.
8 Fossil
record of these trees indicate that it grows primarily *These patient have
history of living in disturbed environment such as after losing life partner,
children, friends, relatives, and also in disturbed environment along stream
and levees. property and wealth.
9 Gingko’s
tenacity may be seen in
due to an atom bomb explosion all
plants were destroyed, lungs
etc. Added to this is suppressed emotion, stressful life due to loss of mate,
children, friends relatives etc; non adjustment,
Gingko though charred, survived and
very soon became problem unfulfilment of desired things and also due to
loss in business, wealth etc, patient
healthy again. becomes depressed and soon becomes
normal and gains health by simple counselling and medication.
10 It can withstand harsh
condition and rarely suffers from *Though
leading life in stressful way and with dissatisfactory living under the care of
grand children they suffer with no major illness.
disease.
11 In
due to their toxic
nature.
12 Late reproductive
maturity: it takes the plant 40 - 50 *Ginkgo
helps in the individual having late marriage at 40 plus with erectile
dysfunction, years to mature.
impotency, Oligospermia and no
desire for sex.
13 The
bark is fireproof and regenerates quickly
*Ginkgo helps to increase circulation, prevent capillary
fragility, helps collagen formation and create fibroblasts for making skin
healthy. though charred. and
young.
Table –II
Improvement assessment of Ginkgo biloba.
|
S.No |
Signs and Symptoms |
Total No. of Cases Prescribed |
Total No. of Cases Improved |
|
||||
|
|
|
Q |
C 1 |
Q |
C 1 |
|||
|
|
Mind |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Short term memory loss |
2 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
|||
|
|
loss of mental alertness |
1 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
|||
|
|
Difficulty in concentration |
2 |
8 |
0 |
6 |
|||
|
|
forget fullness of name, time, date, day, appointments
and events |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Fearful dreams, dreams of robbers |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Dreams of wars, death, falling from a height |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
Postponement attitude |
1 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
|||
|
|
Ailments from suppressed anger/ emotion |
1 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
|||
|
|
Religious |
2 |
4 |
|
|
|||
|
|
Morose, dull and sadness |
1 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
|||
|
|
over sensitiveness |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
Cross |
1 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
|||
|
|
fearful mood |
1 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
|||
|
|
confusion making mistakes in speaking,
writing and reading |
1 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
|||
|
|
weeping tendency |
0 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
tearful mood |
0 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Loquacity |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
raises late from bed, dislike to brush teeth and
attend to daily activities including taking bath |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
imagine every thing is unreal |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
|
delusion being old |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
|
criticizes others and himself |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
Avoids people and also conversation |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Head |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Heaviness in frontal region |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
pain in nose, supra orbital region and
temples right headache with vertigo |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Headache with tears < cold, open air |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
Headache > rest |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
Eye |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Lachrymation ? during headache |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
pressing pain in eyeballs (looking upwards),
to the r. with dim vision |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Useful in diabetic retinopathy |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Useful in hypertensive retinopathy |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
neuralgia over the r. Eye |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Nose |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Nose blockage during cold |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
running nose < early morning |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Ear |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Reduced hearing |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
blocking of both ears |
0 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Tinnitus |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Mouth |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Aphthous ulcers with burning |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
excessive salivation or dryness of mouth,
coated tongue esp. towards base, angular stomatitis |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
Face |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
neuralgic pain in Rt.of the face, cracks and fissures
in lips |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
herpetic eruptions around mouth |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
Throat |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Burning sore throat |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
dryness of throat |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
difficulty in swallowing |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
swelling of the parotids |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
|
Stomach |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Anorexia with slight discomfort in
epigastrium with nausea and eructation |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|||
|
|
ABDOMEN |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Fullness of abdomen |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
discomfort in hypogastrium |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
cramping, griping pain in hypochondria |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
CHEST |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Constrictive pain in pericardium radiating to
left arm with numbness |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
RESPIRATION |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Cough with dyspnoea and difficult
expectoration of the mucus |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
BACK & EXTREMITIES |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Stiffness of neck and back with crackling
sounds on movement |
1 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|||
|
|
bruised pain in lumbar region as if beaten |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|||
|
|
trembling of both hands and legs |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
icy coldness of both feet |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|||
|
|
cramps in calf muscles |
3 |
8 |
2 |
6 |
|||
|
|
numbness of part laid on |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Paresthesia of palms and soles |
2 |
8 |
1 |
6 |
|||
|
|
URO-GENITAL ORGANS |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Oliguria |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Diuretic |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|||
|
|
pain in urethra before and during urination |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|||
|
|
Incontinence of urine |
2 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|||
|
|
impotency |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
prostatic enlargement |
2 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
discharge of prostatic fluid |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
SKIN |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Dryness of skin with cracks & fissures |
1 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
|||
|
|
herpetic eruptions with itching |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
|
|
SLEEP |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sleep disturbed between 2-3 h. |
1 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|||
|
|
gets up late in the morning unrefreshed sleep |
1 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|||
|
|
Dreams of animals, insects, dead bodies ,
floods, robbers etc |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
GENERALITIES |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Easily fatigue mentally and physically |
3 |
6 |
1 |
6 |
|||
|
|
desires company |
1 |
3 |
|
|
|||
|
|
likes stimulants like tea, coffee |
1 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|||
|
|
RELATIONSHIP |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Gingko biloba leaves contains allergen
urushiols which is similar to poison Ivy hence used as antidote |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
|
|
MODALITIES |
Total No. of Cases |
|
|
||||
|
|
Morning < |
1 |
3 |
|
|
|||
|
|
2-3 h. < |
1 |
3 |
|
|
|||
|
|
Walking < |
1 |
3 |
|
|
|||
|
|
cold open air < |
1 |
2 |
|
|
|||
|
|
Drinking < |
0 |
2 |
|
|
|||
|
|
looking up and to the right < |
0 |
2 |
|
|
|||
|
|
pressure > |
1 |
2 |
|
|
|||
|
|
rest > |
1 |
3 |
|
|
|||
|
|
Warmth > |
0 |
3 |
|
|
|||
|
|
Tea, coffee > |
1 |
3 |
|
|
|||
|
|
Miasm |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
tubercular miasm |
10 |
20 |
|
|
|||
|
|
DOSEAGE |
Total No. of Cases Prescribed |
Total No. of Cases Improved |
|
||||
|
|
|
Q |
C 1 |
Q |
C 1 |
|||
|
|
recommended dose |
(10 drops b.id) |
1 tab (250mg) b.id |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
10 |
20 |
|
|
|||
|
|
Duration of treatment |
|
|
2 |
17 |
|||
|
|
Minimum |
1 month |
1 month |
|
|
|||
|
|
Maximum |
3 month |
1 year |
|
|
|||
Table –III response to treatment: laboratory and clinical parameters
|
S. No |
Laboratory parameters |
At entry |
At completion |
Improved cases by GB |
||
|
Q |
C 1 |
|||||
|
1 |
Hb g% |
Min : 9 Mix : 13 |
Min : 11 Mix : 13.5 |
- |
2 |
|
|
2 |
FBS in mg/dl |
Min : 123 Mix : 172 |
Min : 110 Mix :140 |
- |
2 |
|
|
3 |
PPBS in mg/dl |
Min : 170 Mix : 230 |
Min : 160 Mix : 210 |
- |
2 |
|
|
4 |
Pus cell in Urine |
Min : 2-3/HPF Mix
: plenty /HPF |
Min : 1-2/HPF Mix : 6-8/HPF |
1 |
3 |
|
|
5 |
Albumin in Urine |
Min : Trace Mix : ++ |
Min : nil Mix : + |
- |
2 |
|
|
6 |
B.P |
systolic |
Min : 140 Mix : 160 |
Min : 130 Mix : 150 |
- |
2 |
|
Diastolic |
Min : 90 Mix : 100 |
Min : 88 Mix : 94 |
- |
2 |
||
Note:
not mentioned parameters maybe consider normal before and after treatment
The Ginkgo tree is the only living representative of the division
Ginkgophyta, of the single class Ginkgoopsida, order Ginkgoales, family
Ginkgoaceae, genus Ginkgo and biloba is the only extant species within this
group. It is one of the best-known examples of a living fossil, because no
species other than G. Biloba of Ginkgoales are known from the fossil record
after the Pliocene.
The tree normally reaches a height of 20 – 35 m. It is the national tree of
The Ginko withstands harsh conditions and rarely suffers from disease.
It’s tenacity may be seen in
living things in the area to survive the disaster. Though charred very
badly, it grew healthy and was still alive. Its wood is insect resistant which
makes it a long lived specimen. Male plants produce small pollen cones with
sporophylls each bearing two microsporangia spirally arranged around a central
axis. Female plants do not produce cones. Two ovules are formed at the end of a
stalk, and after pollination, one or both develop into seeds. The seed is 1,5 –
2 cm long. Its fleshy outer layer is light yellow-brown, soft, and fruit-like.
The seed has the size and appearance of a small apricot when mature and a
silvery bloom on the fruit, hence called Ginkgo meaning “Silver apricot”. It is
also popularly known as “Maidenhair tree” due to the leaves, which resemble
some of the pinnae of the Maidenhair fern, which are fan shaped with a split in
the middle, hence named biloba. The nut-like gametophytes inside the seeds are
considered as traditional Chinese food, particularly served at special
occasions like weddings and the Chinese New Year. Some people are sensitive to
the chemicals in the sarcotesta, the outer fleshy coating. Hence the seeds are
handled with care by wearing disposable glows while preparing for consumption.
Extracts of Ginkgo leaves contain flavonoid glycosides and terpenoids
(ginkgolides, bilobalides) and have been used pharmaceutically. Ginkgo
supplements are usually taken in the range of 40–200 mg per day. Although
Chinese herbal medicine has used both the ginkgo leaf and seed for thousands of
years, modern research has focused on the standardized Ginkgo biloba extract
(GBE), which is prepared from the green leaves, as done also in Homoeopathy.
This standardized extract is highly concentrated and seems to be clinically
more effective.
Ginkgo extract may have three effects on the human body: improvement in
blood flow (including microcirculation in small capillaries) to most tissues
and organs; protection against oxidative cell damage from free radicals; and
blockage of many of the effects of platelet-activating factor (platelet
aggregation, blood clotting) that are related to the development of a number of
cardiovascular, renal, respiratory and central nervous system disorders.
Ginkgo is found to have nootropic properties and is mainly used as
memory and concentration enhancer. Studies have revealed prolye endopeptidase
(PEP) activities are significantly higher in Alzheimer’s patients. Ginkgo
exhibited inhibition of PEP suggestive of its role in learning and memory
processes, major depression and senile dementia. Ginkgo is also used for
intermittent claudication. The World Health Organization reports its clinical
use in cerebrovascular insufficiency, peripheral arterial occlusive diseases.
Ginkgo eases the symptoms of tinnitus, benefits in multiple sclerosis
and arrests the development of vitiligo. Ginkgo may have undesirable effects,
especially for individuals using anticoagulants, antidepressants and during
pregnancy, hence should be avoided. When any side effects like gastrointestinal
discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, dizziness, heart palpitations,
and restlessness occurs then medicine should be stopped immediately.
Clinical utility of Gingko biloba as a geriatric remedy
Increases blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body, thereby
improving the delivery of necessary nutrients and oxygen to every cell. It
increases metabolic efficiency, regulates neurotransmitters, and controls the
transformation of cholesterol to plaque, associated with the hardening of
arteries and relaxing constricted blood vessels.
Ein Symbol des Lebens.
Ginkgo hat seinen Ursprung im Raum des heutigen China – dort hat er als einzige seiner Art die Eiszeit überlebt. Seit etwa 1000 n. Chr. wurde der Baum in weiten Teilen Ostasiens aufgrund seiner Langlebigkeit verehrt und als Tempelpflanze kultiviert. Seinen heutigen Namen verdankt der Ginkgobaum auch einem Zufall: Der deutsche Forscher Engelbert Kaempfer bereiste Japan Ende des 17. Jahrhunderts und beschrieb dort den Tempelbaum. Er wurde auch Silberaprikose genannt, was auf japanisch gin kyo heißt. Durch einen Druckfehler soll aus dem y ein g entstanden sein – Ginkgo.
Später verlieh der Botaniker Carl von Linné dem Namen seinen Zusatz und bezeichnete mit biloba den typischen, zweilappigen Umriss des Blattes.
Ein lebendes Fossil
Es muss gute Gründe dafür geben, dass der Ginkgo als lebendes Fossil gilt und ein Baum bis zu 1.000 Jahre alt werden kann. Inzwischen weiß man, dass ihn seine Pflanzeninhaltsstoffe extrem widerstandsfähig machen – gegen Schädlinge und Umweltgifte. Daher ist er so beliebt für die Alleen- und Straßenbepflanzung. Selbst radioaktive Strahlung kann dem Ginkgo kaum etwas anhaben: Während am Explosionsort der Atombombe von Hiroschima jegliche Natur verbrannt und ausgerottet war, schlug der Ginkgo einer nahen Tempelanlage als einziges Grün im folgenden Frühjahr erneut aus.
Mythos und Kunst
Aufgrund seiner Stärke und seiner Schönheit erfreut sich der Ginkgo vor allem in Asien seit jeher einer nahezu mythischen Verehrung. Und seit der Moderne ist der Baum auch in Europa in vielerlei Hinsicht von Interesse. Der Ginkgo hat sowohl Botaniker, als auch Mediziner, Künstler und Schriftsteller inspiriert. Goethe etwa stand im ständigen Austausch mit dem Weimarer Hofgärtner, der die Pflanze um 1800 erfolgreich vermehrte. Die Begeisterung des Dichters, vor allem über die Blattform, fand ihren poetischen Ausdruck in dem Text Ginkgo biloba von 1815.
Medizinische Bedeutung
Im alten China setzte man auf die Heilkraft des Ginkgo-Baumes. Mit der Verbreitung der traditionellen asiatischen Heilmedizin in Europa wurde der Ginkgo zur Entwicklung spezieller Medikamente bei uns immer wichtiger. Heute werden für hochwertige Arzneimittel wie Gingium® Ginkgo-Extrakte in komplexen High-Tech-Verfahrensweisen gewonnen. Derartige Spezialextrakte sind gut verträglich
und entfalten eine hohe medizinische Wirksamkeit. Altersbedingte Gedächtnisprobleme werden auf diesem Wege gemindert.
Auch bei Tinnitus** wird Ginkgo eingesetzt.
Vorwort/Suchen Zeichen/Abkürzungen Impressum