Question

Is ginko useful as a remedy for cerebral insufficiency and other problems?

Answer

Ginko can antagonise blood clot formation induced by platelet activating factor, and it has been shown in guinea pigs to induce thrombolysis. It may protect against bronchoconstriction and therefore help some patients with asthma. It may relieve claudication (limping caused by interference with the blood supply to the legs) in those with peripheral artery disease, and is said to have an effect in chronic cerebral insufficiency. Ginkgo could only possibly help in cerebral insufficiency when this is due to a vascular cause, such as restriction or blocking of the vascular supply to the brain. Ginko might be expected to have an effect in atherosclerotic dementia (dementia caused by poor blood supply to the brain from blocked arteries), which can mimic Alzheimer's disease, but not in Alzheimer's disease, which is a biochemical disorder.

Although no significant side effects or interactions with other medications are known, caution is needed when using ginko, because there is a lack of formal trials. Ginko may well be found to interact with aspirin.

Any beneficial effect may be due to flavonoids, one of the constituents of ginkgo. These may increase blood flow to the brain and could limit the damage associated with ischaemia (deficient blood supply) by scavenging for free radicals.

Overall you should be cautious and perhaps a little sceptical about claims, as firm research data on effectiveness and side effects are still lacking. Ginko does not however seem to be a placebo.