| Vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, selenium, lipoic acid, lycopene, glutathione, tocotrienols, quercetin, Coenzyme Q, oligomeric proanthocyanidins from grape seed, curcumin, ginkgo biloba, and green tea are in the ImmunoPower to provide complete protection from an entire hierarchy of antioxidants.
ANTI-PRO LIFERATIVE AGENTS While most nutritionists agree on the importance of growth (proliferative) nutrients, few nutritionists respect the importance for anti-proliferative nutrients. For every force in the body, there must be an opposing force to regulate that mechanism. |
| John's wort, sunlight, ginkgo, DHEA except for hormonal cancers
ANXIETY
Xanax, Ativan hops, valerian, kava, homeopathic, 5HTP
INSOMNIA
Ambien, Xanax melatonin, 5HTP
PAIN
Tylenol to morphine acupuncture, biofeedback, hypnosis
Chapter 15
Parting Comments
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"Unless we put medical freedom into the Constitution, the time will come when medicine will organize itself into an undercover dictatorship—To restrict the art of healing to one class of men and deny equal privileges to others will constitute the Bastille of medical science." Dr. |
John Boik
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 An extract of ginkgo biloba administered intravenously or orally to rabbits reduced experimentally induced thrombus formation (Borzeix et al, 1980). Aloe vera decreased thromboxane A2 and B2 production in vitro (Klein et al., 1988). Capsaicin (from cayenne pepper, Capsicum frutes-cens) is a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation in vitro (Wang et al., 1984a).
Extracts of Paeonia lactiflora (bai shao) prolonged prothrombin time, inhibited thrombin, stimulated plasminogen, and inhibited urokinase activity in vitro (Wang and Ma, 1990). |
| Flavonoids such as quercetin and those found in ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) are free radical scavengers that decrease the proliferation of rat lymphocytes in vitro in a dose-dependent manner (Pignol et al., 1988). These two actions may be related. Stimulated neutrophils and macrophages produce a marked and transient increase in oxygen consumption, called a respiratory burst (or chemiluminescent burst). This burst involves the production of superoxide (02*). |
Thomas Bartram
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 Garlic, Mistletoe, Poke root, Rutin, Hawthorn, Motherwort, ginkgo, Bamboo gum.
Liquid Extracts. Mix Hawthorn 2; Mistletoe 1; Barberry 1; Rutin 1; Poke root half. Dose: 30-60 drops thrice daily.
Tinctures. Mix: Hawthorn 2; Cactus flowers 2; Mistletoe 1; Capsicum half. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons thrice daily in water before meals. Powders. Mix equal parts: Bamboo gum, Hawthorn, Mistletoe, Rutin, Ginger. Fill 00 capsules. Dose: 2-4 capsules, or quarter to half a teaspoon (375-750mg) thrice daily before meals. Threatened stroke. Tincture Arnica BPC (1949): 3-5 drops in water morning and evening. |
Kenny Ausubel
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 Accelerating the renaissance of herbal medicine is the steady validation of certain herbs for serious medical conditions. ginkgo, reputedly the oldest tree in the world, has been found effective against Alzheimer's disease in studies in Germany. Even a more reserved study published in 1997 in the AMA Journal showed its effectiveness in limiting symptoms associated with Alzheimer's. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is now preparing to launch a $15 million study of its effects on dementia.6
St. John's wort has made headlines for its efficacy against depression. |
Dr. Mary Dan Eades
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 This form is available over the counter.
• ginkgo works by interfering with platelet-activating factor, a protein that helps trigger bronchospasms. The leaves contain low concentrations of the active constituents, so low that to get an effective dose, you'd have to eat about 50 leaves. I recommend using an extract, available in health food stores and pharmacies everywhere.
• Lobelia is a bronchial smooth muscle relaxant and expectorant. Use this herb during an attack, but refrain from using it regularly.
• Mullein oil stops coughs, unclogs bronchial tubes, and helps clear up asthma attacks. |
| The leaf extract of the ginkgo tree contains substances that interfere with the platelet-activating factor, or PAF. This PAF has a starring role in triggering allergies, asthma, and inflammation. Caution: In large amounts, this herb can cause diarrhea, irritability, and restlessness.
• Dr. Andrew Weil has said he knows of nothing so dramatic as the hay fever relief afforded by freeze-dried stinging nettle leaves.
Dosages may vary, depending on the duration and severity of your symptoms. Consult a qualified herbal practitioner. |
| Herbs that improve circulation, thereby nourishing the nails, include butcher's broom, chamomile, ginkgo, rosemary, sassafras, and turmeric.
Dosages may vary, depending on the duration and severity of your symptoms. Follow package directions, or consult a qualified herbal practitioner.
What makes it worse?
• Taking too much selenium can cause your nails to become thin and brittle. Recommendation: If you are taking a vitamin and mineral supplement containing selenium, stop taking it for a period of at least 3 weeks, then resume with half your previous dose of selenium. |
| To improve circulation, take alfalfa, elderberry, dong quai, ginkgo, horsetail, and saffron.
Dosages may vary, depending on the duration and severity of your symptoms. Follow package directions, or consult a qualified herbal practitioner.
What makes them worse?
• Because increased intake of phosphorus can deplete your body of calcium, in theory at least, it could also contribute to the development of muscle cramping. |
The Life Extension Editorial Staff
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 In this randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled crossover study, 31 volunteers aged 30-59 years were given multiple doses of 50 or 100 mg; a single dose of 120 or 300 mg; or placebo during the day of testing. A psychometric test battery was administered before the first dose and at frequent intervals during the day until 11 hours after the last dose. |
Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 The herb ginkgo biloba isn't just great for improving blood flow to the brain and improving memory, it improves blood flow everywhere! Let's find out more about natural remedies for impotence.
Natural Remedies for Impotence
Even if you haven't been diagnosed with atherosclerosis (clogged arteries), impotence is nearly always a sign that circulation in the penis isn't as good as it could be. See Chapter 9 on drugs for heart disease for natural remedies for better circulation. |
David Heber, M.D., Ph.D.
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 The usual dose per day is 120 to 240 milligrams containing 22 to 27 percent ginkgo flavone glycosides and 5 to 7 percent terpene lactones.
Kava Kava
Kava kava has been used safely in Polynesian societies for centuries. Its official Latin name is Piper metbysticum, meaning "intoxicating pepper," and it was discovered on Captain Cook's second expedition to the South Seas in 1772. In European herbal medicine kava kava has been used for mild anxiety states, nervous tension, muscle tension, and mild insomnia. |
Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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| John's wort (Hypericum) to help control anxiety.
• ginkgo biloba in a standardized extract, 60 mg one to three times daily.
• MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a form of organic sulfur. It binds to allergens, thus preventing allergic reactions, and it coats the intestinal lining to prevent dust mites and their droppings from playing havoc with allergies and worsening asthma. Take 1,000 mg, two to three times daily. You can take up to 6,000 mg daily. |
David Heber, M.D., Ph.D.
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| There is some evidence that ginkgo can increase blood flow in the brain and improve mental function in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. It can also inhibit platelet-activating factor, giving rise to the recommendation that this herb be avoided by people on blood-thinning agents. Much more work needs to be done to document the exact mechanisms at work here.
Many baby boomers take this herb to enhance their ability to find their car keys. I often find that these people are simply overloaded with tasks and have some minor memory loss. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| This study indicated two things:
• ginkgo biloba extract can be used with standard antidepressants
• it may enhance their effectiveness, particularly in patients over 50 years of age.
In addition, it is important to point out that the dosage used in the study (80 mg three times daily) is higher than the standard dosage of 40 mg three times daily. |
Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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| The bioflavonoids in grapeseed extract and ginkgo biloba help strengthen blood vessels and improve blood flow to the extremities.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are especially essential for people with unstable blood sugar, making it very important to cut out the EFAblocking hydrogenated oils found in chips, baked goods and nearly all processed foods. Research has shown that diabetics given evening primrose oil for a year had improved nerve function, while those on a placebo got worse. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| These results indicate that ginkgo biloba extract may hold some promise in the treatment of PMS.
Antidepressant effects
The ability of GBE to improve general mood in patients suffering from cerebral vascular insufficiency in double-blind studies has led researchers to begin investigating the antidepressive effects of GBE. In a recent double-blind study, 40 elderly patients (age range, 51-78 years) with depression who had not benefitted fully from standard antidepressant drugs were given either 80 mg of GBE three times daily or a placebo. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2Michael T. Murray, ND
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| A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of an extract of ginkgo biloba for dementia. JAMA 1997;
278: 1327-1332
72. Skolnick A. Old Chinese herbal medicine used for fever yields possible new Alzheimer disease therapy. JAMA 1997; 277: 776
73. Xu SS, Gao ZX, Weng Z et al. Efficacy of tablet Hyperzine A on memory, cognition and behavior in Alzheimer's disease. |
| In several double-blind trials in patients with intermittent claudication, ginkgo was shown to be quite active and superior to placebo.114"116 Not only were measurements of pain-free walking distance and maximum walking distance dramatically increased, but ultrasound measurements demonstrated increased blood flow through the affected limb.
The significance of demonstrating measurable improvement in blood flow through the affected areas is great. While conventional medical treatment of these patients (muscular rehabilitation and the elimination of risk factors, e.g. smoking, excess weight, etc. |
| Activity of bilobalide, a sesquiterpene from ginkgo biloba, on Pneumocystis carinii. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1993; 37: 1492-1496
224. Mocchegiani E, Fabris N. Age-related thymus involution. Zinc reverses in vitro the thymulin secretion defect. Int J Immunopharmacol 1995; 17: 745-749
225. Brewitt B, Standish LJ. High dilution growth factors/cytokines. Positive immunologic, hemotologic and clinical effects in HIV/AIDS patients. XI International Conference on AIDS Abstract #TH. 4108. 1996
226. Coodley GO, Coodley MK, Nelson HD, Loveless MO. |
| The psychopharmacological effects of ginkgo biloba extract in normal healthy volunteers. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1984; 4: 89-93
42. Hammar M, Berg G, Lindgren R. Does physical exercise influence the frequency of postmenopausal hot flushes? Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1990; 69: 409-412
43. Slaven L, Lee C. Mood and symptom reporting among middle-aged women: the relationship between menopausal status, hormone replacement therapy, and exercise participation. Health Psychol 1997; 16: 203-208
44. Midgette AS, Baron JA. Cigarette smoking and the risk of natural menopause. |
| Treatment of senile macular degeneration with ginkgo biloba extract. A preliminary double-blind, drug versus placebo study. Presse Med 1986; 15: 1556-1558
16. Corbe C, Boisin JP, Siou A. Light vision and chorioretinal circulation. Study of the effect of procyanidolic oligomers (Endotelon). J Fr Ophthalmol 1988; 11: 453-460
17. Olson RJ. Supplemental antioxidant vitamins and minerals in patients with macular degeneration. J Am Coll Nutr 1991; 10: 550/Abstract 52
18. Christen WG et al. A Prospective study of cigarette smoking and risk of age-related macular degeneration in men. |
| The most interesting of these studies demonstrated that ginkgo biloba extract was able to counteract one of the major changes in brain chemistry associated with aging - the reduction in the number of serotonin receptor sites.109 Typically, with aging there is a significant reduction in the number of serotonin receptor sites on brain cells. As a result, the elderly are more susceptible to depression, impaired mental function, insomnia, and sleep disturbances. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Twenty patients reporting a positive effect to ginkgo biloba extract (14.6 mg twice daily) after 2 weeks were recruited for the double-blind study. Patients were given either the GBE or placebo for 2 weeks and were then crossed over into the other group. Evaluation indicated that six patients preferred GBE, seven preferred placebo, and seven had no preference.
On the surface, this study would seem to indicate that GBE is not effective for permanent severe tinnitus. However, the study was really designed for the GBE to fail. First of all the dosage used (14.6 mg twice daily or 29. |
| The demonstration that ginkgo biloba extract improves limb blood flow as well as improved walking tolerance (in studies following strict methodology and with sufficient patients for reliable evaluation) indicates that GBE is far superior to pentoxifylline and standard medical therapy in peripheral arterial insufficiency. This includes other peripheral vascular disorders such as diabetic peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud's syndrome, acrocyanosis, and post-phlebitis syndrome.
The longer the period over which GBE is used, the
Table 88. |
| Standardized extracts of Panax ginseng in combination with ginkgo biloba (a formula called Gincosan) improved the retention of learned behavior in experiments on young (3 months) and old (26 months) rats. Results suggest Panax and Gingko extracts possess properties similar to those of nootropic drugs.20
Anti-stress activity
Ginseng has been shown to enhance the ability to cope with various stressors, both physical and mental. Presumably, as has been demonstrated in several animal studies, this is a result of delaying the alarm phase response in Selye's classic model of stress. |
Christian Ratsch
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 Panax ginseng) ginkgo biloba L. Cola spp. Hydrocotyle sp. ? Centella asiatica Camellia sinensis
Myristica sp. ? (cf. Myristica fragrans)
The effects of this product are comparable to those of the first (disappointing).
The marketing of Herbal Ecstacy and similar products (Ultimate Euphoria, et cetera) is big business ($300 million in annual sales; lolly 1996). In the United States, this has resulted in an FDA investigation into the ingredients and the component that is typically the only one with any activity, namely the ephedrine-containing Ephedra extracts. |
Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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| The most important supplements for strong blood vessels are the bioflavonoids, including grapeseed extract, rutin, hesperidin, ginkgo biloba, green tea and bilberry. Supplements important for healthy, "slippery" blood (follow dosage recommendations for daily vitamins in this book) include magnesium, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin E, selenium, N-acetyl cysteine, lysine and garlic.
If you have high levels of vitamin C, your risk of dying from a stroke may be half that of those with lower levels. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
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 The highest-quality research is on single-herb extracts such as ginkgo, St. John's wort, and saw palmetto.
Government Regulation of Herbal Products
Many people believe that the decline of herbal medicine was the result of the discovery or invention of safer or more effective medicines than the herbal remedies used by our ancestors. The truth is that synthetics overtook natural medicines in the pharmacy because of money and laws, not science and medicine. In the early twentieth century, the U.S. Congress became alarmed by questionable "patent medicines" sold by unscrupulous medicine men. |
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