Ginkgo Biloba: Proves Ineffective for Alzheimer Patients

The ginkgo tree is one of the oldest living trees in the world. The seeds have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries; the cooked seeds are occasionally eaten.

The ginkgo has been used for many different common ailments including asthma, bronchitis, fatigue, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

• Many people have been hopeful that leaf extract will be proven to increase memory and used in patients with Alzheimer's disease. But a recent trial was ineffective in proving usefulness in lowering the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in the elderly; further studies on ginkgo will have to be done to see its benefits.

• It’s also used in treatment of sexual dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, and other health problems.

• So far studies on ginkgo have proven that it is useful for claudification caused by blocked arteries. There will be further studies comparing traditional medication to ginkgo and its effects and usefulness.

It is usually extracted from the ginkgo leaf and made into tablets, capsules, extracts, or teas; even made into skin lotions too.

Side effects are: headache, nausea, gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, dizziness, or allergic skin reactions. Some data suggests gink can increase bleeding. So those that take a blood thinner, have a blood disorder, or are having surgery should talk to their doctor if you’ve been taking ginkgo.

Uncooked ginkgo seeds should not be eaten as they have a toxin called ginkgotoxin which can cause seizures. Eating large amounts of ginkgo seeds over time can cause death. Although ginkgo seeds and ginkgo leaf extracts only have a little ginkgo toxins causing side effects.

Be sure you tell your health provider of all alternative medicines or herbal remedies you use, so they will have a total health picture, as to be able to help you better. Some herbal remedies are alright to use and have been proven so under rigorous studies, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions when it comes to herbal remedies, Some herbal remedies have been made into medications we use today, but others still need a lot of study and will prove useful in the future.

Insomnia Cures: Natural Herbal Remedies

If you are having trouble falling asleep, or staying asleep at night you probably suffer from insomnia. You usually wake up still feeling fatigued, and unable to function during the day. Insomnia zaps all your energy out of you effecting your moods, as well as work, health and quality of life. Most adults require 7-8 hours of sleep. You don’t have to go through sleepless nights. Natural herbal remedies for insomnia may be what you’ve been looking for.

Using herbs is supposed to replace the balance you’re lacking within your body. Natural cures can be achieved with tea, infusions and baths. Some insomnia herbs that have been useful, and act as a sedative are passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), hops (Humulus lupulus), valerian (Valeriana officinalis), skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Here are some of the many herbs that can be used as an herbal remedy for insomnia.

Passion Flower – Calming, soother can also be used for muscle spasms and pains; also used for asthma, nerve pain and hysteria.

Hops – Has been used by Native Americans for generations for sleep inducing, also can be used for indigestion, headaches due to anxiety and stress.

Valerian- proven to be effective for poor sleepers. First used in folk medicine as a sedative and hypertensive, also can be used for insomnia with headache, muscle cramps, pain, anxiety and stress.

Skullcap- Insomnia with nervous tension, exhaustion, headache and muscle cramps.

Chamomile- Made into a natural herbal tea can relax you before bedtime. Also used to relieve stomach problems by using the dried flower.

Peppermint- Is generally known for calming indigestion. Also used for natural sleep due to insomnia, and stress and anxiety; made into an herbal tea for relaxation.

Jasmine- Makes an infused tea is useful for sleeping problems. Can be used children and those with weak immune systems.

Lavender- Makes a great scent and infused tea. Lots of items sold with lavender in them for relaxation and to relieve stress.

Sage- Used for depression, and insomnia. Sage can be used in different ways, as a spice in foods, tea or supplement.

Instead of using sleeping aids that made you feel like you’re being drugged when you wake up why not try some natural herbal remedies, some that can be made into relaxing herbal teas.

Depression and St John’s Wort: Comparison and Effects

Many people rely on anti-depressants for depression for their illness. Studies have shown that St. John’s Wort may be just as effective in treatments for depression for prescribed medications. Studies suggest that St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) may be as effective with fewer side effects. Many drugs made by pharmaceutical companies are from medicinal plants. Studies made in 1996 by the British Medical Journal are based on trials suggestive that St John’s Wort plant, a flowering plant is effective for mild to moderate depression. It is available in many different forms.

Comparing St John’s Wort medication to prescribed medication for depression like imipramine, amitriptyline, doxepin, desipramine, and nortriptyline has proved to be just as effective, without as many side effects. Also for Serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRI, which are in another class of drugs, but also prescribed for anxiety and depression which include: fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft). St John’s Wort is similar to a SSRI and it may increase the effects of your SSRI prescribed medication, so consult with a doctor.

St John’s Worth needs more study, as there are many unanswered questions regarding the use of the plant extracts; how. It is not known if St John Wort more effective to one type of depression than another. How it also reacts and is it better than prescribed medications with fewer side effects? It would be beneficial to see more complete studies, and the outcome on St John’s Wort, and to know what the potential long term benefits would be.

In clinic trials with animals one side effect has been skin irritation, and sun exposure (photosensitivity). Some side effects reported when using high doses of St John’s Wort for anxiety and depression symptoms are stomach ache, allergies, and fatigue.

Alternative medicine treatments are in no way meant to replace prescribed medication as depression is a serious illness that can lead to fatality if not treated. You should have an herbal practioner that directs in the proper use of herbal plants and remedies for illness; just like you have a physician the helps make decisions regarding your medical care.