Ginkgo biloba

What is Ginkgo Biloba? 

Ginkgo biloba is an herb that comes from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree which contain compounds that have been shown to have medicinal properties. It is commonly used for its potential health benefits, which include improving memory and cognitive function, reducing anxiety and depression symptoms, and improving eye health.

How does it work?

Ginkgo biloba is thought to work by increasing blood flow to the brain and improving the function of nerve cells. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.

What are the active ingredients that are important for its medicinal properties?

The active ingredients in ginkgo biloba include flavonoids, terpenoids, and ginkgolides. These compounds are believed to contribute to the herb's medicinal properties by increasing blood flow, reducing oxidative stress, and improving the function of nerve cells.

What forms does it come in?

Ginkgo biloba is available in many different forms, including capsules, tablets, teas, and liquid extracts.

What if there’s an imbalance or deficiency?

An imbalance or deficiency of ginkgo biloba is not common, as it is not an essential nutrient.

When was it first used for medicinal purposes?

Ginkgo biloba has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, especially in traditional Chinese medicine.

What does Ginkgo biloba help with?

Ginkgo biloba comes from one of the oldest tree species on earth. Its leaves have long been used in Traditional Chinese medicine. Most modern studies use a standard leaf extract called EGb 761.

• Memory and daily function in dementia
  Good evidence — repeated randomised trials of the standard extract EGb 761 in mild to moderate dementia. Ginkgo has been studied for dementia more than almost any other herb. In trials of EGb 761, people with mild to moderate dementia did better on memory, daily tasks and agitation. No trial showed a cure.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T2
• Leg pain when walking from poor circulation
  Good evidence — multiple human trials in peripheral artery disease. People with narrowed leg arteries get pain when they walk. Multiple trials found that people taking ginkgo walked farther before the pain began. Circulation studies report that ginkgo raises blood flow through arteries and makes blood less sticky.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T2
• Anxiety and feeling stressed
  Early evidence — human studies, mostly small and mostly in older adults. Studies, mainly in older adults, found lower anxiety scores in people who took ginkgo. The drop was large enough to matter to the people in those studies. One idea is that ginkgo shifts stress hormones and brain mood chemistry, but that is a working theory, not a proven path.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T2
• Staying sharp as you get older
  Early evidence — small human studies with mixed results, mostly in people over 50. Some studies in people over 50 reported faster thinking, better recall and sharper focus. Other work suggests ginkgo may hold thinking steady and slow decline in some people. Results do not all agree, so this is not settled.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T2
• Sexual side effects from antidepressants
  Early evidence — small human studies in men and women. SSRI antidepressants often cause sexual side effects. In small studies, some men and women reported that these side effects eased while taking ginkgo. The studies were small, so treat this as early news.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T2
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — human trials that conflict with each other. Tinnitus is hard to treat and the ginkgo trials disagree. Some studies, mostly in people whose ringing had started recently, reported real relief. Others found none.
  Evidence grade D · Traditional tier T2
• Eye health, including glaucoma and macular degeneration
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — early, small human research only. Early research has looked at glaucoma and early age-related macular degeneration. Some of that work reported better eye measures. Researchers link this to blood flow to the optic nerve and retina, but that link is not proven in people.
  Evidence grade D · Traditional tier T2
• Altitude sickness on high trips
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — a few clinical trials with inconsistent results. Some travellers take ginkgo before going up high. A few clinical trials found less headache, dizziness and tiredness. Other trials found nothing, and drug options worked more reliably.
  Evidence grade D · Traditional tier T2
• How often migraines come
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — preliminary human research only. Migraine involves changes in blood vessels in the brain. Researchers have asked whether ginkgo's effects on vessels and swelling cut attack counts. The research so far is preliminary, so there is no clear answer.
  Evidence grade D · Traditional tier T2

What Ginkgo biloba has not been shown to do

• No trial has shown that ginkgo cures dementia or brings back memory that is already lost.
• It has not been shown to be a reliable stand-in for altitude sickness drugs.
• It has not been shown to help long-standing tinnitus; the better results came from recent cases.
• It has not been shown in good human trials to cut how often migraines happen.
• Its effect on glaucoma and macular degeneration rests on early work, not on proof.

How to read this:

Each use above has its own grade. A means steady results across human trials. B means at least one good human trial. C means small or mixed human studies. D means the human evidence is weak or clashes. Insufficient means no human study at all. The grade tells you how sure the research is, not how well ginkgo will work for you. This page lists options and findings, not advice. Talk with your doctor before you start, especially if you take blood thinners or other drugs.

What can Ginkgo biloba help prevent?

• Progression of early-stage age-related macular degeneration
• Altitude sickness when taken before ascent
• Further cognitive decline in people with early dementia (stabilization evidence)

Which foods are rich in it?

Ginkgo biloba is not commonly found in foods.

What are possible side effects?

• Stomach upset
• Headaches
• Allergic reactions (rare)
• May also increase the risk of bleeding, so it should be used with caution by people who take blood-thinning medications or have a bleeding disorder.

What’s the recommended daily dose?

The recommended daily dose of ginkgo biloba is typically 40 to 200 mg, taken in divided doses throughout the day.

How many days does it take to work?

The length of time it takes for ginkgo biloba to work varies depending on the individual and the condition being treated. Some people may see improvements in as little as a few days, while others may need to take the herb for several weeks or months to see noticeable results.

What time of day is best to take it?

The best time of day to take ginkgo biloba is not well established, and may vary depending on the individual and the condition being treated.

Is it best to take it with or without food?

Ginkgo biloba can be taken with or without food, but it is recommended to take it with food if it causes stomach upset.