Ginkgo is an herbal medicine that is created by extracting liquid from the leaves of a ginkgo biloba tree. This supplement is known to help individuals with mood and memory. It can be ingested through powders, pills, or liquid extracts. When choosing a ginkgo supplement it is important to ensure it contains low amounts of ginkgolic acid. Because this is a toxic chemical that can cause serious side effects in humans, the accepted amounts of this acid is less then five parts per million (PPM) for each dose of ginkgo.
Choosing the best ginkgo supplement depends on the individual’s taste and preference of taking medicine. This supplement is typically inexpensive and can be added to fruit drinks, teas, or energy drinks. The pill and extract version provide immediate ingestion but require the individual to take medicine in a standard method.
Today there are many herbal teas that contain dietary supplements. Ginkgo-based tea is an herbal tea that includes a small amount of ginkgo extract. Most teas do not include the same level of extract that is available in a straight ginkgo supplement. If an individual is looking for a good supplement he may be better off using a pure supplemental dosage than a tea-based extract.
The ginkgo supplement has a few documented side effects. These include stomach issues, headaches, mood swings, and thinning of blood. The most serious risk with ginkgo is an overdose of ginkgolic acid. This can cause nerve damage and DNA damage that may lead to cancer. Taking this product above recommend dosage levels leads to an increased risk of overdose and is strongly discouraged.
The typical daily ginkgo dosage should not exceed 240 milligrams. This will ensure the individual does not overstress his nervous system. This dosage can be split into two or three doses per day, but should not exceed the maximum recommend limit.
A ginkgo supplement is also available in a capsule form. This is a time released capsule that slowly releases the product into the system. This type of supplement can take up to 12 hours to digest. A capsule form is better suited for individuals that are sensitive to higher dosages of this supplement.
Energy drinks have become popular over the last few years. The ginkgo energy drink is a new method of consuming the ginkgo supplement. Most of these energy drinks include caffeine or other stimulants. This provides an added boost, with the known benefits of ginkgo.