Can ginkgo biloba cure Alzheimers disease?
Ginkgo biloba — an extract from the ginkgo tree — has been touted by many as a memory booster. Although a 1997 study in the U.S. suggested that ginkgo extract may be of some value in treating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, there is no evidence that ginkgo biloba will cure or prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Other studies, however, imply that daily use of ginkgo biloba may cause side effects, such as too much bleeding (especially when combined with daily use of aspirin). The National Institutes of Health are currently researching the effectiveness of ginkgo biloba in treating Alzheimer’s disease, but to date, there is not enough information available for doctors to recommend the broad use of ginkgo biloba for Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
