Eventually, calcium and the fatty substances build up to the point that blood flow is restricted, forcing the blood pressure up and increasing the risk of chest pain and heart attacks. Left untreated, the arterial supply of blood to the brain can also be blocked and result in a stroke. Perhaps the best way to understand this process is to think about the water pipes at home. Old pipes have incredible mineral buildups on the inside, which either stop the flow of water or cut it to a trickle. When the same thing happens in your arteries and capillaries, it reduces the amount of blood coursing through your body, diminishing its ability to heal itself of damage from free radicals, byproducts of your body's energy-producing process.
Free radicals wreak havoc and damage cells, which can lead to many diseases.
Promoting Blood Flow Ginkgo biloba acts on the blood vessels to improve blood flow, which means the body can proceed with its natural way of fighting free radicals and healing itself of any damage. At the same time, the herb acts as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals, preventing them from damaging the body any further. Ginkgo biloba may also help with other ailments. By improving circulation, the herb can ease dizziness, migraine headaches and a perpetual ringing in the ears that doctors call tinnitus. Some people who take ginkgo biloba also experience an improvement in their breathing, which reduces the hardening of the arteries that arteriosclerosis causes.