A couple of months ago, I noticed that Mr. Twitch, already an energetic sort of person, had even more energy than usual. I kept asking him if he was drinking more caffeine, or taking some steroids or something. He insisted he wasn't. Then the other day, when I asked him yet again, he said that in addition to vitamins, he started taking ginko biloba a while ago, and CLA (Conjugated linoleic acid).

So I started taking CLA. A little extra energy wouldn't hurt me one bit. But nothing happened. Then, yesterday, I added ginko biloba. Wow. What a difference. I didn't feel hyped up or anything, but I definitely had a brighter, more busy-tailed outlook on life, more zip, and I whizzed right through my evening workout. Took it again today, and feel the same way.

I realize that two days aren't enough time to reliably predict anything, so thought I'd ask here: Do you take ginko biloba? Have you noticed any effects from it?

Have you noticed that anything else gives you more energy or brighten your outlook, aside from caffeine, which I can't handle well? (I'm talking non-prescription here.)

I've never tried ginko but I am interested to hear more about others' experiences. Isn't ginko also supposed to help with one's memory? (I forget...heh)

I think your doctor has to be notified if you are taking that. Maybe it's just before surgery or something and I forget the reason why -- bleeding maybe? It's ringing alarm bells with me. Some herbs interact with medications, too.

Bleeding, notify before surgery. It acts as an anti-coagulant.

Twitchly, I don't want to rain on anybody's parade, especially because I'm a real believer in vitamins and natural food supplements. However, I would check the origin of that gingko biloba. A vague memory is coming to me from a while back about articles in which it said Asian producers of some of these supposedly natural supplements were adding illegal uppers. Not saying yours contains them but I would check out the source and check with the company. If all is well, Hallelujah! I'm right there with ya!

Let me know if you ever find the source. I couldn't find anything about that via Google.

I used to take gingko biloba but it never gave me energy, at least that I noticed. Never trust anything from China.

I don't believe that Ginko is for energy, I believe it's for the improvement of memory. What's giving you energy could be the combo of Ginko AND the CLA - perhaps, or like someone else said, it might not be Ginko alone you're getting - read the label, maybe it has something else. Did you get it at the healthfood store? Higher end supplements tend to be better b/c they are more easily aborbed by the body so you tend to get a better more noticeable effect. Alot of people don't know that if you have 'absorbtion' problems and take a lower end supplement, chances are it'll just 'sit' there and get eliminated w/o ever being absorbed, which is why some people don't feel the effects of supplements. just a thought.

About.com page on CLA and Thyroid connection

So, the extra energy maybe coming from the CLA and not the gingko biloba.

So, Twitchers, would you tell the particulars -- exactly which brand products you're taking, what dose, and where to get them? I could use some "bright eyed and bushy tail." I'd love to see if it works for me, too.

Hi, Twitch. I looked too and sorry I couldn't find anything in the media. There are a few references to scholarly articles on adulterants in Asian herbal medicines but they are all by subscription only. I'm sure that as long as what you're using comes from a reputable company, you're probably fine.

Twitch:

are you taking vitamins as well?

FTR-

My bright eyes and bush tail come from Country Life Maxine (Daily Vitamins for WomenWith Iron)

These were recommended by a friend and I was impressed with the first bottle. I felt so revived and clear minded and not rushy and buzzy like with caffeine. I have been taking them for about 4 months now and they are the best vitamins ever. vitacost.com carries them as well as some reviews. In Whole Foods the 120 tablet sized bottle was almost 40 dollars at vitacost I got the same sized bottle plus S&H for less than 25 dollars. I am happy with them....Oh and they are formulated for optimum absorption

Ginko is great for circulation too.

It all sounds good to me. Bright and up and good memory? Why not? Keep us posted! I'm definitly interested. Sounds like the metabolism would get a boost too if the energy was up.

You can't beat Ginseng for tonic effects. I prefer the Chinese variety to the Korean.

Dragon Herbs in California carries an amazing selection of quality Chinese tonic herbs. Alas, their website has been down for an age now whilst it gets upgraded. They have wonderful customer service even over the telephone and email.

I actually got an email from them this morning that might be of interset.

'Master Herbalist Ron Teeguarden LIVE for one whole hour this Sunday!

When: Sunday, January 13, 2008 , 11:00 am
Where: AM 830 in Southern California , “The Best from East to West.”

So if you live in that area, I suggest you tune in tomorrow. Ron is the owner of Dragon Herbs.

Barry

Interesting. Thanks.

FTR, I'll check and get back to you with amounts, brands, etc. All but the multivitamin are from a health food store. I take Kroger brand multivitamins.

OK, here's the lowdown:

Morning:
Kroger multivitamin
CLA - 2000 mg 70% (I'm going to up this to 3000) (Brand: NOW)
Biotin - 1000 mcg (Solgar)
CoQ10 - 60 mg (Brand: Better Health) Also contains fish oil and omega 3 stuff
Ginkgo Biloba - 120 mg (Brand: Natrol) Also contains small amounts of calcium, soy lecithin, phosphorus, and flavone glycosides

Night:
Calcium - 1000 (can't remember brand; also has magnesium)
Vitamin D - ton (can't remember how much or brand)

What's new is the Gingko Biloba, though I started taking the CLA not long before that.

I remember taking some Nature's Way vitamins a while back that also gave me a lot of energy. They had all kinds of stuff in them and were quite expensive. I should hunt them down again.

Thanks!

I tried ginko biloba a few years ago, but I had to stop after a week because it gave me digestive upsets and a bit of nausea. That's unusual for me... not much bothers me. But I guess my intestines just aren't programmed to handle it.

I'll tell ya, this stuff REEKS. Smells truly horrible. I have to eat something with it, or I can't get it down.