Treat Your Brain to Ginkgo

Exciting new studies find that the ancient “memory herb” can improve such abilities as remembering shopping lists, phone numbers and names, getting higher scores on tests, processing information faster and maintaining attention longer–regardless of the effects of aging.

In short, Ginkgo is no longer just beneficial for older people with memory problems.

Ginkgo is a proving to be a brain booster for adults of all ages–as young as 18–who are mentally intact, according to Mark Blumenthal, leading expert on medicinal plants and executive director of the American Botanical Council,  who reported the new research on the Jean Carper Radio Show.

Ginkgo has long been known to help improve age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s, said Blumenthal.

Now research has taken a giant leap, showing that ginkgo can stimulate brain functioning at younger ages beyond what is regarded as ”normal.”  In a review of 16 recent studies on normal healthy people, age 18 and older, Ginkgo boosted mental functioning in 11 or 70% of the studies. Ginkgo notably improved ”memory, attention, and speed of processing abilities,” said Blumenthal.

That means that virtually all adults, including students, office workers, attorneys, even professors, could benefit from taking Gingko, he says.

The recommended daily dose? 120 milligrams of Ginkgo a day, according to Blumenthal.

This EatSmart column is reprinted from USAWEEKEND Magazine and is copyrighted by Jean Carper. It cannot be reprinted without permission from Jean Carper.