Ginkgo for Antioxidant, Mental Health and Circulation

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixstIw13XJ_QsjQDKGopzW3jP41HzPqbAapHR3bzxQ90gtGldRq0x6BB2RUDFJvhyiLZTsRpLRD_D09cqNTGHvNGxSvIDWZ2OyHcjahQqo70lRAx0bjoN6xXkPortpHwGkIQUAp52isbM/s1600/Ginkgo-articlemostwanted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixstIw13XJ_QsjQDKGopzW3jP41HzPqbAapHR3bzxQ90gtGldRq0x6BB2RUDFJvhyiLZTsRpLRD_D09cqNTGHvNGxSvIDWZ2OyHcjahQqo70lRAx0bjoN6xXkPortpHwGkIQUAp52isbM/s1600/Ginkgo-articlemostwanted.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="nonindent"> <span class="dropcaps">I</span>n rock layers some 270 million years old, scientists have unearthed fossils of ancient trees with delicately veined, fan-shaped leaves that are deeply notched to form two halves, or lobes. Some of these fossils are essentially identical to the leaves of a living tree known as <i>Ginkgo biloba</i>. It is the only surviving member of the <i>Ginkgo</i> genus, a sort of living fossil that survived into modern times in a remote corner of southeastern China. Buddhist monks began cultivating ginkgo there in the 11th century, when ginkgo was revered as a sacred plant and grown for its peculiar fleshy seeds.</div> <div class="nonindent"> <br /></div> <div class="indent"> The Chinese called these seeds <i>yinxing</i>, meaning “silver apricot.” In Japan, where ginkgo was introduced, <i>yin-hsing</i> is thought to have become corrupted into <i>gingkyo</i>. Ginkgo leaves and seeds have been used in traditional Chinese medicine since the 15th century and probably were used much earlier in folk medicine.</div> <h2 class="section" id="c15-s01"> <b>Therapeutic Uses</b></h2> <div class="nonindent"> <i>Antioxidant</i></div> <div class="nonindent"> <i>Mental health</i></div> <div class="nonindent"> <i>Circulation</i></div> <div class="nonindent"> <br /></div> <div class="extract"> Perhaps our oldest known tree, ginkgo and its leaves have been an herbal remedy for many centuries. Ginkgo contains potent antioxidants called glycosides, which protect nerve cells, and terpene lactones, which reduce inflammation. Ginkgo is used for poor circulation and for reducing the pain of peripheral vascular disease. However, studies investigating these effects show only modest benefit over placebo.</div> <div class="extract"> <br /></div> <div class="indent"> Ginkgo is widely used in Europe, Canada, Australia, and the United States for the prevention and treatment of dementia. A number of studies have shown that <i>Ginkgo biloba</i> extract (GBE) improves symptoms and stabilizes or slows progression of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Studies also show that these extracts modestly improve age-related memory impairment (which is much less serious than dementia).</div> <div class="indent"> <br /></div> Newer studies published in the U.S. have not been as encouraging. A study published in the journal <i>Neurology</i> in 2008 did not show that GBE prevented cognitive decline in elderly people with normal cognitive function. However, among the people who actually took ginkgo as directed, memory loss was slowed. A much larger study published in the <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i> in 2008 also failed to demonstrate that taking GBE (120 mg twice a day) prevented dementia in

Ginkgo for Antioxidant, Mental Health and Circulation

I n rock layers some 270 million years old, scientists have unearthed fossils of ancient trees with delicately veined, fan-shaped leave...

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Rosemary - Topical Antioxidant and Many Benefits

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH01W3juan-GGIodeMMXfHY9rQTNxFLGFxF2PabWDepP4LrOBS3vW07DJZ437nWkm3cvFOjos8Xvi2zMi8wIlPGqp8FjLpTnwiSM4MLd0q4ClMscSPpoelM9zpZVYa1Xsn3TRMWVIf-HY/s1600/17-rosemary-articlemostwanted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH01W3juan-GGIodeMMXfHY9rQTNxFLGFxF2PabWDepP4LrOBS3vW07DJZ437nWkm3cvFOjos8Xvi2zMi8wIlPGqp8FjLpTnwiSM4MLd0q4ClMscSPpoelM9zpZVYa1Xsn3TRMWVIf-HY/s1600/17-rosemary-articlemostwanted.jpg" /></a></div> <h1 class="chapter" id="c25"> <span class="medium"><i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i></span></h1> <div class="nonindent"> <span class="dropcaps">N</span>ative to sunny Mediterranean shores, rosemary is an evergreen member of the mint family. Its genus name, <i>Rosmarinus</i>, means “dew of the sea” in Latin, a reference to the plant’s coastal habitat and delicate, pale blue, droplet-size flowers. Rosemary’s piney aroma and bittersweet flavor work well in both sweet and savory foods, and it has been a staple in herb and kitchen gardens for many centuries. The herb also has a long history of use as a fragrance in soaps, lotions, and cosmetics. Since ancient times, rosemary has been a symbol of love, loyalty, and remembrance, often included in rituals and ceremonies associated with both marriage and death. Sprigs of the herb were entwined into bridal wreaths or tucked in to bridal bouquets. In some European countries, it is still customary for mourners to carry rosemary in funeral processions and to cast the herb into the grave during the burial.<br /> </div> <h2 class="section" id="c25-s01"> <b>Therapeutic Uses</b></h2> <div class="nonindent"> <i>Topical antioxidant</i></div> <div class="nonindent"> <i>Antibacterial</i></div> <div class="nonindent"> <i>Muscle and joint pain</i></div> <div class="nonindent"> <i>Bronchitis</i></div> <div class="nonindent"> <i>Circulation</i></div> <div class="nonindent"> <i>Memory/cognition</i></div> <div class="extract"> One of those herbs that the nose knows, rosemary leaf produces extracts that are common ingredients in many hair and skin care products. They can combat dandruff and greasy hair and promote general hair health. Their most convincing use, however, is as an antiseptic and antioxidant. Preliminary research indicates that rosemary extracts can kill bacteria, fight skin inflammation relevant to many skin conditions, and even inhibit cancer in laboratory animals. They may also block the detrimental effect of sunlight on skin cells.</div> <div class="indent"> Applied topically, rosemary packs an antioxidant punch. One potential application is its topical use in antiaging skin care products.</div> <div class="indent"> To make the essential oil, rosemary leaves are distilled to yield a fragrant, concentrated oil containing compounds responsible for rosemary’s medicinal effects. Rosemary essential oil is antimicrobial. One test-tube study found that rosemary essential oil had a synergistic action with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin against a bacterium that can cause pneumonia.</div> <div class="indent"> Ingested or inhaled, rosemary oil has been used for other conditions, such as muscle and joint pain, indigestion, bronchitis, and sinusitis, or to improve circulation. There is also some data supporting the use of rosemary aromatherapy for memory and mental function. When 40 people underwent rosemary aromatherapy for 3 minutes, changes in their brain tests indicated increased alertness, reduced anxiety, and improved ability to do mathematics.</div> <h2 class="section" id="c25-s02"> <b>How to Use</b></h2> <div class="nonindent"> <i>Essential oil:</i> The essential oil is used in aromatherapy to enhance mental focus. To apply the oil topically, mix 10 drops in 1 ounce of carrier oil (olive, jojoba, almond, apricot).</div> <div class="nonindent"> <i>Cream/ointment/salve:</i> Topical products use various concentrations of rosemary’s essential oil for skin conditions, such as minor bacterial or fungal infections. Apply daily to skin, joints, or muscles, as per manufacturer’s directions.</div> <div class="nonindent"> <i>Tea:</i> Add 1 to 2 teaspoons dried rosemary leaves to 1 cup hot water.</div> <div class="nonindent"> Cover for 10 minutes. Strain. Drink 1 to 3 cups a day.</div> <div class="nonindent"> <i>Capsules:</i> Generally, 500 to 1,000 mg, once or twice daily; follow product instructions.</div> <h2 class="section" id="c25-s03"> <b>Precautions</b></h2> <div class="nonindent"> Rosemary extracts with concentrated essential oils can cause a rash with sun exposure. If that happens, discontinue use. Using rosemary as a seasoning during pregnancy is fine, but medicinal doses are not recommended.</div>

Rosemary - Topical Antioxidant and Many Benefits

Rosmarinus officinalis N ative to sunny Mediterranean shores, rosemary is an evergreen member of the mint family. Its genus name, Rosma...

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