Ginkgo Biloba - Bearer of Hope?

In my own experience, I have taken Ginkgo Biloba on and off for about ten years. I started taking it at University, because I had heard that it improved memory, and frankly I was happy to grasp at whatever learning straws (apart from 'revising' obviously) that I could. I had also heard tell of a mythical study that said that ingesting large quantities improved short term memory for a couple of hours, and so I always used to (and still do very rarely if the occasion suggests it) take 600mg of standardised extract a few hours before any exams. I would then cram madly, in the (probably forlorn) hope that my shortly to shrink, but temporarily expanded brain could fit in the odd extra useless fact. I have to say that I have never seen the mythical study then or since, and have no proof other than anecdotal experience that there is any benefit in this. But it does definitely give me a head rush, and noticeably improve my eyesight (I wear contact lenses and hence my eyesight is improved, not miraculously corrected, presumably because the eyes have a rush of blood) for a couple of hours. Although, let's be honest. It may well also be hopelessly bad for me, and is probably downright dangerous because of the blood thinning affects. So don't do it! You have been warned!

I have also tried out various brands, (although none made by Schwabe), and for the last few years (again on and off - Ginkgo is so great for memory that I often go through periods where I forget to take it!) I have found the Pharma Nord Bio-Biloba brand to be the best I have tried. By 'best' I mean that it induces definite circulatory effects with a 100mg tablet daily, and I feel fairly confident that the 'active' ingredients are exactly that - active. This confidence was not true of many of the other brands I have gobbled down. As to whether it improves general memory in a 30 year old man? Well, I am somewhat sceptical; but it does seem to improve my lethargic circulation and that is to the good. Magic memory pills? Probably not. Bearer of Hope? Most certainly.

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