Have heard gingko biloba can be good for circulation, has anyone tried this and can you take it alongside normal meds?

[Bubbles01]

[Plumcake]

I started taking multi vitamins with gingko Biloba but had to stop as a trial to see if it was those making my legs itch like hell. Not sure if they did or if it was citalopram but off both now and still have itching, so Im going to wait a while and try the multi vitamins & Gingko again, and see whether they help or not.

They do say you should ask your GP or chemist before taking other meds even if they're natural remedies, as can interact. They are all medicines after all.

give it a try and see how it goes.

[MikefromsouthNZ]

I tried Nature's Sunshine Ginkgo & Gotu Kola + Bacopa in tablet form for two months but it gave me very bad constipation.. Six months later I tried MicroGenics Ginkgo 6000 Complex - Circulation & Memory but I still got bad constipation.. I'm now taking CoQ10 Max and high strength Magnesium capsules each morning plus I massage my feet and toes morning and again at bedtime with a warming capsicum cream that seem to help.. I know the Magnesium has helped and the CoQ10 was recommended by my nurse because it's great for stress as living with Raynaud's is a very stressful illness..

I also take a lot of other medications for my spastic Cerebral Palsy plus Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue but my Dr said the ginkgo wouldn't affect them..

I'm on a new medication called Felodipine 10mg at bedtime and it's really helped my circulation tremendously but it does lower your blood pressure, so I have to take it when I'm in bed for the night in case I faint..

Try the ginkgo for yourself and see how you get on Bubbles..

Stay well and keep warm - Mike

[ceefa]

Ive been taking Ginko also Garlic for about 10 years and my hands are 100% better than used to be with no side affects . I take one tablet a day 120mg of concentrated extract which is equevalent to 6,000mg of whole Ginko leaves.

[Gillg]

I have been taking ginko for a few years now can't take the garlic as it affects my stomach! I've found that if I forget to take the ginko for a few days my legs twitch and are very restless. So I think it's doing some good. I use Seredrin as mentioned in RSA magazine.

[Blue-Bunny]

Maidenhair has research to back up its Nifedipene like qualities. According to one study it is about 30% as effective as Nifedipene, so an interesting alternative.

However, please be warned that like St Johns Wort, this is one of those highly effective herbs and should be discussed with your doctor before you commence taking it for medication. Your pharmacist might have more up to date information on the matter however.

If you are already on Nifi, then it would be like adding more Nifi which can be dangerous if not controlled.

The best way to take Maidenhair is actually in a tincture rather than in a tablet form and don't forget to eat something at the same time. Tea and Cake, the epitome of britishness .

Please note: Seredrin is the same thing as Maidenhair.

[patsyb]

I was taking ginko, but was told to stop as I am taking aspirin, the two don,t mix apparently. Bess check it out with your g.p. Good luck.

[Bubbles01]

Thanks for all your help and advice. Will ask my GP or consultant next time I see them as I'm also on aspirin.

[Blue-Bunny in reply to Bubbles01]

And they prescribed you Nifi? O_o I worry about some doctors sometimes.

[bookworm]

Hiya worth checking with your gp or regular pharmacy, gingko is supposed to be good, but like a previous post has said it is not supposed to taken with nifidepine as i is like taking a double dose of nifidepine.

[Bubbles01]

Hi Ravenshade, you've got me worried about my meds now. Was on nifedipine (slow release) already when they prescribed the aspirin. have felt fine on them since started, are you not supposed to take them together?

[frillyhilly]

Hi

Just in case you didn't manage to sort out your tablets .....

I tried Gingko Biloba after reading about it in my Raynauld's newsletter - gave me awful wind (parden me :O) ) and just made me feel awful all the time. So I stopped it.

My physiotherapist suggested Ginger tablets - I found that they made me really hot and then I went really cold - hello Raynauld's attack!

I've also tried cinnamon tablets, they were great for a while but then they upset my stomach, etc (out of politeness I won't go into details)

What works for me is:

I take a Rutivite (Rutin, Buckwheat) tablet twice a day, made a huge difference to my ability to cope and significantly reduced Raynauld's attacks. I've been taking them for over 3 years and they still work.

Hope you are feeling warmer,

Nicola