College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Cooling & improves circulation. Brain tonic. Vessel tonic. Calms immune system, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant.

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Ginkgo improves circulation like turmeric and sassafras but is cold. It is inotropic, improving the electrical conduction and contractile strength of muscle cells. This may improve heart contractibility. Ginkgo normalizes nitric oxide and may enhance oxygen utilization.

As an herb that improves cerebral circulation, Ginkgo is an excellent brain tonic. Its sour taste makes it ideal for improving peripheral circulation as well. It reduces capillary fragility so can help prevent strokes and bruising. It thins the blood and reduces clotting.

Ginkgo is a strong anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. It calms the immune system like guduchi and cilantro.

It is often used as synergist in formulas.

Metabolic Nature of Ginkgo

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

SOUR

ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUR

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot and oily with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body. Vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

Other

Heart Circulation Blood,
Anti Aging

ANTI-AGING

Geriatric conditions typically involve low agni / metabolism, poor circulation, weakness & debility, muscle weakening, poor digestion, a drop in sex hormones, and connective tissue degradation in bones & skin.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-AGING' FOODS / HERBS

, Immune System, Mind Stress Sleep

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Ginkgo
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Nervine

STRONG NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

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Neuroprotective

STRONG NEUROPROTECTIVE

Repairs / restores damaged nerves. Protects nerve health.

SEE ALL 'NEUROPROTECTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Antidepressant

ANTIDEPRESSANT

Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function.

SEE ALL 'ANTIDEPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

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Boosts Gaba

BOOSTS-GABA

GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, reduces nerve excitability. It is the body's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. Thus, it promotes relaxation, calm, and sleep.

SEE ALL 'BOOSTS-GABA' FOODS / HERBS

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Brain Tonic

BRAIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the brain and thereby enhances memory or other cognitive functions and improves mental stamina or stability.

SEE ALL 'BRAIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Cholinergic

CHOLINERGIC

Increases acetylcholine production or uptake, improving nerve health, memory, mood, coordination, and protecting neurons.

SEE ALL 'CHOLINERGIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Nerve Growth Tonic

NERVE-GROWTH-TONIC

Stimulate neurite / axon growth, promotes regeneration.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-GROWTH-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Antifibrotic

ANTIFIBROTIC

Fibrosis of an organ is often a progressive leading to organ failure (i.e lungs, liver, kidney). While vulneraries usually help restore collagen, antifibrotic herbs often clear collagen. Aka fibrinolytic.

SEE ALL 'ANTIFIBROTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Bronchodilator

BRONCHODILATOR

An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma.

SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Immune Calming

STRONG IMMUNE-CALMING

Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-CALMING' FOODS / HERBS

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Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

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Antibacterial

ANTIBACTERIAL

Herbs that kill bacteria or slow their growth.

SEE ALL 'ANTIBACTERIAL' FOODS / HERBS

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Antifungal

ANTIFUNGAL

Herbs that destroy fungus.

SEE ALL 'ANTIFUNGAL' FOODS / HERBS

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Antimicrobial

ANTIMICROBIAL

An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.

SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Tonic

STRONG CARDIAC-TONIC

Strengthens and tones the heart (heart-tonic). Cardiac tonics are used to treat a wide range of heart issues from arrhythmia, to cardiac insufficiency.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Ace Inhibitor

ACE-INHIBITOR

Used to lower blood pressure. Promotes diuresis by inhibiting angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE).

SEE ALL 'ACE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

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Alterative

ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Antioxidant

ANTIOXIDANT

An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions.

SEE ALL 'ANTIOXIDANT' FOODS / HERBS

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Antiplatelet

ANTIPLATELET

An herb that inhibits clotting, dissolves clots, thins the blood, or destroys platelets, therefore reducing the tendency of blood to form clots. They are useful in cardiovascular disease, clots, and stroke. Aka anticoagulant.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPLATELET' FOODS / HERBS

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Blood Thinner

BLOOD-THINNER

Herbs that thin the blood. Helpful for people with heart disease or clogged circulation.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-THINNER' FOODS / HERBS

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Hypotensive

HYPOTENSIVE

An herb that lowers blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'HYPOTENSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Reduces Secretions

REDUCES-SECRETIONS

Stops discharges & secretions (examples include sweat, vaginal discharge, diarrhea, urinary, nasal, etc). Commonly astringent or cooling remedies.

SEE ALL 'REDUCES-SECRETIONS' FOODS / HERBS

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Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

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Vessel Tonic

VESSEL-TONIC

An herb that improves the tone and integrity of blood vessel walls. This is helpful in easy bruising.

SEE ALL 'VESSEL-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Hepatoprotective

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

An herb that is capable of preventing liver damage. Many hepatoprotectives work via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

SEE ALL 'HEPATOPROTECTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Hypolipidemic

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.

SEE ALL 'HYPOLIPIDEMIC' FOODS / HERBS

Other:
Constituents:
Flavonoids

STRONG FLAVONOIDS

Flavonoids are a colorful type of polyphenol. As all polyphenols, they have a strong antioxidant effect. Many flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory, and/or antiallergen effect.

SEE ALL 'FLAVONOIDS' FOODS / HERBS

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Inositol

INOSITOL

Inositol is an alcohol sugar made naturally in the human body from glucose. It is lipotropic (aiding fat metabilism in the liver). It affects a variety of hormones, neurotransmitters, steroid, growth factors and water.

SEE ALL 'INOSITOL' FOODS / HERBS

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Polyphenols

POLYPHENOLS

Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants seen in many fruits and vegetables. There are more than 8,000 types.

SEE ALL 'POLYPHENOLS' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Ginkgo

  • Turmeric

    Turmeric has these Actions in Common

    Antioxidant, Brain-tonic, Immune-calming, Neuroprotective, Anti-inflammatory, Antifungal, Antiplatelet, Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Alterative, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Nerve-growth-tonic, Analgesic, Antifibrotic

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric Root (Fresh)

    Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Antifungal, Antiplatelet, Hypolipidemic, Nerve-growth-tonic, Alterative, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Brain-tonic, Immune-calming, Neuroprotective, Analgesic, Antifibrotic, Antioxidant

    LEARN MORE

  • Ginger (Fresh)

    Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory, Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Nervine, Antifibrotic, Brain-tonic, Hypotensive, Neuroprotective, Analgesic, Antiplatelet, Hepatoprotective

    LEARN MORE

  • Rosemary

    Rosemary has these Actions in Common

    Antidepressant, Brain-tonic, Cholinergic, Nervine, Antifungal, Bronchodilator, Immune-calming, Neuroprotective, Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Cardiac-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Garlic (raw)

    Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Antifibrotic, Antiplatelet, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Ace-inhibitor, Antifungal, Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Vasodilator, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Bronchodilator, Hypotensive

    LEARN MORE

  • Green Tea

    Green Tea has these Actions in Common

    Antibacterial, Blood-thinner, Diuretic, Neuroprotective, Antidepressant, Boosts-gaba, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Bronchodilator, Nerve-growth-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Tarragon

    Tarragon has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Antiplatelet, Cardiac-tonic, Vasodilator, Analgesic, Blood-thinner, Diuretic, Antimicrobial, Boosts-gaba, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Dandelion Leaves

    Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

    Hypolipidemic, Antimicrobial, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Alterative, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Blood-thinner

    LEARN MORE

  • Sage

    Sage has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Internal-detoxicant, Neuroprotective, Analgesic, Cholinergic, Nerve-growth-tonic, Reduces-secretions, Antidepressant, Immune-calming, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Grape

    Grape has these Actions in Common

    Antiplatelet, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Brain-tonic, Nervine, Antioxidant, Diuretic, Neuroprotective, Alterative

    LEARN MORE

  • Basil

    Basil has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Bronchodilator, Internal-detoxicant, Antibacterial, Diuretic, Nervine, Antidepressant, Immune-calming, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Ginkgo

  • Sage, Red

    Sage, Red has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Hypotensive, Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Antiplatelet, Neuroprotective, Boosts-gaba, Vasodilator, Cardiac-tonic, Vessel-tonic, Alterative, Cholinergic, Anti-inflammatory, Hepatoprotective, Antifibrotic, Hypolipidemic

    LEARN MORE

  • Dong Quai

    Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Hepatoprotective, Anti-inflammatory, Hypolipidemic, Antifibrotic, Hypotensive, Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Antiplatelet, Internal-detoxicant, Blood-thinner, Nervine, Boosts-gaba, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Vessel-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Hawthorne Berry & Flower

    Hawthorne Berry & Flower has these Actions in Common

    Antioxidant, Internal-detoxicant, Antiplatelet, Vasodilator, Blood-thinner, Vessel-tonic, Cardiac-tonic, Ace-inhibitor, Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Hypolipidemic, Antidepressant, Hypotensive, Antifibrotic, Immune-calming

    LEARN MORE

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Antidepressant, Neuroprotective, Antioxidant, Boosts-gaba, Brain-tonic, Ace-inhibitor, Diuretic, Alterative, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Nerve-growth-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Hypolipidemic, Antibacterial, Immune-calming, Antidepressant, Internal-detoxicant, Antifungal, Nervine, Antimicrobial, Vasodilator, Boosts-gaba

    LEARN MORE

  • St. John's Wort

    St. John's Wort has these Actions in Common

    Blood-thinner, Boosts-gaba, Brain-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Analgesic, Nerve-growth-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Nervine, Antidepressant, Neuroprotective, Antimicrobial, Vessel-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Motherwort

    Motherwort has these Actions in Common

    Antiplatelet, Cardiac-tonic, Diuretic, Alterative, Hypotensive, Analgesic, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Nervine, Antidepressant, Vessel-tonic, Antifibrotic

    LEARN MORE

  • Milk Thistle

    Milk Thistle has these Actions in Common

    Antioxidant, Diuretic, Hepatoprotective, Hypolipidemic, Alterative, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Nervine, Antifibrotic, Neuroprotective, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Lemon Balm

    Lemon Balm has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Neuroprotective, Antidepressant, Vasodilator, Boosts-gaba, Brain-tonic, Cholinergic, Immune-calming, Nerve-growth-tonic, Ace-inhibitor, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Angelica

    Angelica has these Actions in Common

    Hypolipidemic, Hypotensive, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Nervine, Antioxidant, Vasodilator, Antiplatelet, Blood-thinner, Bronchodilator, Hepatoprotective

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

1 dropper full 2x/day or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for tinctures?

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Ginkgo may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Ginkgo may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Ginkgo. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.