THIS WEEK IN THE HSI HEALTHIER TALK COMMUNITY
Think of some things that are "all natural" - tornadoes, hemlock, sharks. The point, of course, is that "all natural" should not be confused with "completely safe." And the same goes for ginkgo biloba, a useful and effective "natural" botanical that doesn't deserve to be grouped with the dangerous items listed above, but does require a little caution.
In a Healthier Talk community forum thread titled "Ginkgo Biloba," an HSI member named Sara writes: "I recently started taking Gingko biloba capsules, hoping to improve my memory by improving circulation. A few days later I noticed that my nose and both cheeks were very red and kind of leathery looking when I got up in the morning, and stayed that way for about 3 days.
"I made a visit to my dermatologist and he was very concerned, and wanted to do blood tests to rule out Lupus…or maybe Rosacea. I asked for a few days delay to see if it went away when I discontinued the Gingko… and it did. Have any of you ever had a side-effect of this kind when taking Gingko?"
Jo UK: "Sara, I think it is logical to assume that the gingko is responsible for the change in your face colour. Gingko is known to widen the capillaries in the extremities, and the head is an extremity. While I have not heard of this reaction before, it is likely to be the cause."
Allspice: "When I took it I got a terrible headache, and I'm not prone to headaches at all."
Sally B.: "Check the ingredients label on the ginkgo you took. It could be something you are allergic to that caused the red cheeks."
Sally is on the right track. The quality of ginkgo supplements can vary from one manufacturer to another, so it's wise to do some research and ask a few questions before deciding on a particular brand.
Then it's time for careful label reading. Ginkgo biloba contains a compound called ginkgolic acid, which may cause gastrointestinal problems, headaches, and skin irritations for some users. It's generally accepted that 5 ppm is a safe maximum level for this acid, although some may be more sensitive to it than others.
Be wary of any Ginkgo brand that doesn't list ginkgolic acid on the label.
Other topics being discussed this week in the Healthier Talk community forums include:
- Allergies: Home remedies for sinus congestion
- General Health Topics: Fluoride, and industrial pollutant
- Hormones: Estrogen/progesterone balance
- Energy: Coconut oil
- America's Country Doctor: Schamburgs disease
- Vision: Vision oddity?
To Your Good Health,
Jenny Thompson
Tap into the minds of other health-conscious readers like yourself at the new HSI health forum: http://www.healthiertalk.com
