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Ginkgo biloba and Gotu Kola for DVT
What evidence is there for the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba against the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) during long-haul flights? Is it any better than using aspirin?
There is, to date, no clinical evidence proving that Ginkgo biloba will prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or life-threatening blood clots during long haul travel, but only because nobody has done the research. What does exist is an impressive body of scientific evidence showing that what it does do is improve blood flow in the peripheral blood vessels. So what has happened, is a leap of common sense with researchers saying since we know it has this action, we believe it could be more than useful in helping prevent the blood clots people are now so worried about.
The clever way to take your Ginkgo if you are seeking to minimise the risk of DVT is to use a timed-release capsule - which, as the name suggests, staggers the release of the therapeutic dosage. Most practitioners favour the Lambert’s range which does this and is widely on sale in independent healthstores.
If you do plan to travel long haul - and I have just returned from an excruciating 26-hour journey from New Zealand - make sure you take another less well-known Ayurvedic (Indian) herb called Gotu Kola too, which will prevent swelling of both the legs and feet. It also has a calming effect on the body, which will be a welcome side-effect for more nervous flyers.
*Both Ginkgo biloba and Gotu Kola are widely on sale in good healthstores.