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The Ginko Biloba Tree, standing at a massive 134 feet tall and living up to 3,000 years, has been a long-standing ingredient in Chinese medicine for centuries. The smooth leaves, resembling small fans are beautiful as well as beneficial.  Within the last decade the popularity of the plant has grown in health food chains and home medicine cabinets alike. People often take this herb to benefit blood circulation and improve their memory.  However, a new study that was recently published by Strok journal illustrates that this ancient plant may be much more useful than originally believed.

Researchers from John’s Hopkins University, created an extract from the leaves to form a supplement that they administered to mice.  Then they recorded the affects of the supplement on the brain of the mice.  Scientists were able to illustrate that Ginko can be used to reduce damage to the brain caused by a stroke.

One group of mice was administered the Ginko supplement every day for a week, while the control group received nothing.  Then every mouse in the study was given an induced stroke, and the results were tracked.  The group that received the Ginko prior to their stroke received 50.9% less neurological damage to their brains than the control group.  It also illustrated that the supplement aided in reducing the after effect of impaired limb strength and paralysis.

During the study, researchers also discovered that Ginko Biloba extract neutralized the activity of free radicals inside the brain.  Free radicals work to kill brain cells and can cause major damage.

 As you may or may not know, those who smoke are more susceptible to colds and pneumonia than those who don’t.  While there is no definite reason why smokers are more susceptible to contracting infections but as far as pneumonia, doctors feel it is due to damage caused by smoking.  The damage to the lungs can allow bacteria to attach easily to the lungs and windpipe.  The odds of a smoker developing pneumonia increases as the number of cigarettes they smoke increases.  The new pneumonia vaccine is the first of its kind to be directed specifically at smokers.

Pneumonia is a lung infection; often caused by viruses, bacteria, fungus, or parasites.  It often developes after a nose and throat infection.  Pneumonia is diagnosed by an X-ray, blood test, or mucus culture from coughing.   Often pneumonia is treated with a series of oral antibotics taken at home.  However, sometimes infected persons will develop a high fever and/or respiratory distress and will need to be hospitalized for treatment.

Death from pneumonia can be severley reduced by those who are more susceptible to infection  receiving vaccinations. Currently, the vaccine that is recommended will protect against pneumonia, meningitis, and other life-threatening infections.