Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageSimilar Supplements
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Similar Supplements
Ginkgo biloba benefits have been claimed for centuries, with health treatments meant to help improve cognitive function and treat asthma, bronchitis, and kidney and bladder disorders.
Studies suggest that it acts on blood vessels to improve blood flow, with some evidence that related ginkgo biloba benefits may include eye health, heart health, and more.Although widely used intraditional Chinese medicineand available as a supplement, further studies are needed to confirm and understand the uses of ginkgo extract.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images
Ginkgo biloba appears to be most effective for cognitive health. The herb may also help protect against cell damage, support eye health, and improve blood flow.
Keep in mind that no supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease, and more research is needed on these and other ginkgo uses:
Although consuming moderate amounts of ginkgo biloba seems to be safe for most people, there are some potential side effects to be aware of, including:
Do not eat unprocessed ginkgo biloba seeds, leaves, or fruit. They are toxic and dangerous if ingested when they are fresh or raw.
Ginkgo biloba may be unsafe for people with certain health conditions, including:
Ginkgo biloba supplements may interact with certain medications, including:
Consult with a healthcare provider before using ginkgo biloba, especially if taking other herbal supplements or prescription medications.
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
There are no official recommendations on how much ginkgo biloba a person should take. However, many studies have used daily doses of 120 to 240 milligrams (mg), often divided into smaller doses throughout the day without significant side effects.Higher doses or long-term use may be more likely to cause adverse side effects.
Ginkgo biloba supplements can be purchased from local retail stores and health supplement stores. They are available in the following forms:
Look for supplements that contain ginkgo biloba in a form called EGb 761, which is standardized to contain 24% flavonol glycosides and 6% terpenoids. This form has been used in most clinical trials showing positive health benefits.
Other herbal supplements with similar, health-promoting properties include:
Summary
Ginkgo biloba is an herb with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties traditionally used in Chinese medicine. It may also help improve circulation and blood flow. Because of these properties, some evidence suggests that the herb may offer health benefits such as improving symptoms of dementia and supporting eye health. However, more research is needed to understand its safety and effectiveness fully.
If you’re considering taking ginkgo biloba supplements, talk with your healthcare provider to discuss how they may benefit or affect your health.
20 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Ginkgo.Silva H, Martins FG.Cardiovascular Activity of Ginkgo biloba-An Insight from Healthy Subjects.Biology (Basel). 2022 Dec 21;12(1):15. doi:10.3390/biology12010015National Institute on Aging.What is Dementia?Liu H, Ye M, Guo H.An updated review of randomized clinical trials testing the improvement of cognitive function ofginkgo bilobaextract in healthy people and Alzheimer’s patients.Front Pharmacol. 2020;10:1688. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.01688Cui M, You T, Zhao Y, et al.Ginkgo bilobaextract EGb 761® improves cognition and overall condition after ischemic stroke: results from a pilot randomized trial.Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1147860. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1147860Sharifi-Rad M, Anil Kumar NV, Zucca P, et al.Lifestyle, oxidative stress, and antioxidants: back and forth in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases.Front Physiol. 2020;11. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00694National Cancer Institute.Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Alternative treatments for glaucoma.Shaito A, Thuan DTB, Phu HT, Nguyen THD, Hasan H, Halabi S,et al.Herbal Medicine for Cardiovascular Diseases: Efficacy, Mechanisms, and Safety.Front Pharmacol.2020 Apr 7;11:422. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.00422Dai CX, Hu CC, Shang YS, Xie J.Role of Ginkgo biloba extract as an adjunctive treatment of elderly patients with depression and on the expression of serum S100B.Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(39):e12421. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012421Liang ZH, Jia YB, Wang ML, et al.Efficacy of ginkgo biloba extract as augmentation of venlafaxine in treating post-stroke depression.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2019;15:2551-2557. doi:10.2147/NDT.S215191Chauhan B, Arya S, Chauhan K.ginkgo bilobaadministered singly and combined with antioxidants in tinnitus patients.J Audiol Otol. 2023;27(1):37-44. doi:10.7874/jao.2022.00395Sereda M, Xia J, Scutt P, et al.Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2022;(11). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013514.pub2Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Ginkgo biloba.Chen X, Hong Y, Zheng P.Efficacy and safety of extract of Ginkgo biloba as an adjunct therapy in chronic schizophrenia: A systematic review of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with meta-analysis.Psychiatry Research. 2015;228(1):121-127. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2015.04.026Decker L, Basta D, Burkart M, Ernst A.Balance training with vibrotactile neurofeedback and ginkgo biloba extract in age-related vertigo.Front Neurol. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.691917Noor-E-Tabassum, Das R, Lami MS, et al.Ginkgo biloba: A Treasure of Functional Phytochemicals with Multimedicinal Applications.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022;2022:8288818. doi:10.1155/2022/8288818Caruso G, Godos J, Castellano S, et al.The therapeutic potential of carnosine/anserine supplementation against cognitive decline: a systematic review with meta-analysis.Biomedicines. 2021;9(3):253. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9030253Small GW, Siddarth P, Li Z, et al.Memory and brain amyloid and tau effects of a bioavailable form of curcumin in non-demented adults: a double-blind, placebo-controlled 18-month trial.The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2018;26(3):266-277. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2017.10.010Khan UM, Sevindik M, Zarrabi A, et al.Lycopene: food sources, biological activities, and human health benefits.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021;2021:2713511. doi:10.1155/2021/2713511
20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Ginkgo.Silva H, Martins FG.Cardiovascular Activity of Ginkgo biloba-An Insight from Healthy Subjects.Biology (Basel). 2022 Dec 21;12(1):15. doi:10.3390/biology12010015National Institute on Aging.What is Dementia?Liu H, Ye M, Guo H.An updated review of randomized clinical trials testing the improvement of cognitive function ofginkgo bilobaextract in healthy people and Alzheimer’s patients.Front Pharmacol. 2020;10:1688. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.01688Cui M, You T, Zhao Y, et al.Ginkgo bilobaextract EGb 761® improves cognition and overall condition after ischemic stroke: results from a pilot randomized trial.Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1147860. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1147860Sharifi-Rad M, Anil Kumar NV, Zucca P, et al.Lifestyle, oxidative stress, and antioxidants: back and forth in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases.Front Physiol. 2020;11. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00694National Cancer Institute.Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Alternative treatments for glaucoma.Shaito A, Thuan DTB, Phu HT, Nguyen THD, Hasan H, Halabi S,et al.Herbal Medicine for Cardiovascular Diseases: Efficacy, Mechanisms, and Safety.Front Pharmacol.2020 Apr 7;11:422. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.00422Dai CX, Hu CC, Shang YS, Xie J.Role of Ginkgo biloba extract as an adjunctive treatment of elderly patients with depression and on the expression of serum S100B.Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(39):e12421. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012421Liang ZH, Jia YB, Wang ML, et al.Efficacy of ginkgo biloba extract as augmentation of venlafaxine in treating post-stroke depression.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2019;15:2551-2557. doi:10.2147/NDT.S215191Chauhan B, Arya S, Chauhan K.ginkgo bilobaadministered singly and combined with antioxidants in tinnitus patients.J Audiol Otol. 2023;27(1):37-44. doi:10.7874/jao.2022.00395Sereda M, Xia J, Scutt P, et al.Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2022;(11). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013514.pub2Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Ginkgo biloba.Chen X, Hong Y, Zheng P.Efficacy and safety of extract of Ginkgo biloba as an adjunct therapy in chronic schizophrenia: A systematic review of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with meta-analysis.Psychiatry Research. 2015;228(1):121-127. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2015.04.026Decker L, Basta D, Burkart M, Ernst A.Balance training with vibrotactile neurofeedback and ginkgo biloba extract in age-related vertigo.Front Neurol. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.691917Noor-E-Tabassum, Das R, Lami MS, et al.Ginkgo biloba: A Treasure of Functional Phytochemicals with Multimedicinal Applications.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022;2022:8288818. doi:10.1155/2022/8288818Caruso G, Godos J, Castellano S, et al.The therapeutic potential of carnosine/anserine supplementation against cognitive decline: a systematic review with meta-analysis.Biomedicines. 2021;9(3):253. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9030253Small GW, Siddarth P, Li Z, et al.Memory and brain amyloid and tau effects of a bioavailable form of curcumin in non-demented adults: a double-blind, placebo-controlled 18-month trial.The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2018;26(3):266-277. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2017.10.010Khan UM, Sevindik M, Zarrabi A, et al.Lycopene: food sources, biological activities, and human health benefits.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021;2021:2713511. doi:10.1155/2021/2713511
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Ginkgo.Silva H, Martins FG.Cardiovascular Activity of Ginkgo biloba-An Insight from Healthy Subjects.Biology (Basel). 2022 Dec 21;12(1):15. doi:10.3390/biology12010015National Institute on Aging.What is Dementia?Liu H, Ye M, Guo H.An updated review of randomized clinical trials testing the improvement of cognitive function ofginkgo bilobaextract in healthy people and Alzheimer’s patients.Front Pharmacol. 2020;10:1688. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.01688Cui M, You T, Zhao Y, et al.Ginkgo bilobaextract EGb 761® improves cognition and overall condition after ischemic stroke: results from a pilot randomized trial.Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1147860. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1147860Sharifi-Rad M, Anil Kumar NV, Zucca P, et al.Lifestyle, oxidative stress, and antioxidants: back and forth in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases.Front Physiol. 2020;11. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00694National Cancer Institute.Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Alternative treatments for glaucoma.Shaito A, Thuan DTB, Phu HT, Nguyen THD, Hasan H, Halabi S,et al.Herbal Medicine for Cardiovascular Diseases: Efficacy, Mechanisms, and Safety.Front Pharmacol.2020 Apr 7;11:422. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.00422Dai CX, Hu CC, Shang YS, Xie J.Role of Ginkgo biloba extract as an adjunctive treatment of elderly patients with depression and on the expression of serum S100B.Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(39):e12421. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012421Liang ZH, Jia YB, Wang ML, et al.Efficacy of ginkgo biloba extract as augmentation of venlafaxine in treating post-stroke depression.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2019;15:2551-2557. doi:10.2147/NDT.S215191Chauhan B, Arya S, Chauhan K.ginkgo bilobaadministered singly and combined with antioxidants in tinnitus patients.J Audiol Otol. 2023;27(1):37-44. doi:10.7874/jao.2022.00395Sereda M, Xia J, Scutt P, et al.Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2022;(11). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013514.pub2Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Ginkgo biloba.Chen X, Hong Y, Zheng P.Efficacy and safety of extract of Ginkgo biloba as an adjunct therapy in chronic schizophrenia: A systematic review of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with meta-analysis.Psychiatry Research. 2015;228(1):121-127. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2015.04.026Decker L, Basta D, Burkart M, Ernst A.Balance training with vibrotactile neurofeedback and ginkgo biloba extract in age-related vertigo.Front Neurol. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.691917Noor-E-Tabassum, Das R, Lami MS, et al.Ginkgo biloba: A Treasure of Functional Phytochemicals with Multimedicinal Applications.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022;2022:8288818. doi:10.1155/2022/8288818Caruso G, Godos J, Castellano S, et al.The therapeutic potential of carnosine/anserine supplementation against cognitive decline: a systematic review with meta-analysis.Biomedicines. 2021;9(3):253. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9030253Small GW, Siddarth P, Li Z, et al.Memory and brain amyloid and tau effects of a bioavailable form of curcumin in non-demented adults: a double-blind, placebo-controlled 18-month trial.The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2018;26(3):266-277. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2017.10.010Khan UM, Sevindik M, Zarrabi A, et al.Lycopene: food sources, biological activities, and human health benefits.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021;2021:2713511. doi:10.1155/2021/2713511
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Ginkgo.
Silva H, Martins FG.Cardiovascular Activity of Ginkgo biloba-An Insight from Healthy Subjects.Biology (Basel). 2022 Dec 21;12(1):15. doi:10.3390/biology12010015
National Institute on Aging.What is Dementia?
Liu H, Ye M, Guo H.An updated review of randomized clinical trials testing the improvement of cognitive function ofginkgo bilobaextract in healthy people and Alzheimer’s patients.Front Pharmacol. 2020;10:1688. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.01688
Cui M, You T, Zhao Y, et al.Ginkgo bilobaextract EGb 761® improves cognition and overall condition after ischemic stroke: results from a pilot randomized trial.Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1147860. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1147860
Sharifi-Rad M, Anil Kumar NV, Zucca P, et al.Lifestyle, oxidative stress, and antioxidants: back and forth in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases.Front Physiol. 2020;11. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00694
National Cancer Institute.Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Alternative treatments for glaucoma.
Shaito A, Thuan DTB, Phu HT, Nguyen THD, Hasan H, Halabi S,et al.Herbal Medicine for Cardiovascular Diseases: Efficacy, Mechanisms, and Safety.Front Pharmacol.2020 Apr 7;11:422. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.00422
Dai CX, Hu CC, Shang YS, Xie J.Role of Ginkgo biloba extract as an adjunctive treatment of elderly patients with depression and on the expression of serum S100B.Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(39):e12421. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012421
Liang ZH, Jia YB, Wang ML, et al.Efficacy of ginkgo biloba extract as augmentation of venlafaxine in treating post-stroke depression.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2019;15:2551-2557. doi:10.2147/NDT.S215191
Chauhan B, Arya S, Chauhan K.ginkgo bilobaadministered singly and combined with antioxidants in tinnitus patients.J Audiol Otol. 2023;27(1):37-44. doi:10.7874/jao.2022.00395
Sereda M, Xia J, Scutt P, et al.Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2022;(11). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013514.pub2
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Ginkgo biloba.
Chen X, Hong Y, Zheng P.Efficacy and safety of extract of Ginkgo biloba as an adjunct therapy in chronic schizophrenia: A systematic review of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with meta-analysis.Psychiatry Research. 2015;228(1):121-127. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2015.04.026
Decker L, Basta D, Burkart M, Ernst A.Balance training with vibrotactile neurofeedback and ginkgo biloba extract in age-related vertigo.Front Neurol. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.691917
Noor-E-Tabassum, Das R, Lami MS, et al.Ginkgo biloba: A Treasure of Functional Phytochemicals with Multimedicinal Applications.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022;2022:8288818. doi:10.1155/2022/8288818
Caruso G, Godos J, Castellano S, et al.The therapeutic potential of carnosine/anserine supplementation against cognitive decline: a systematic review with meta-analysis.Biomedicines. 2021;9(3):253. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9030253
Small GW, Siddarth P, Li Z, et al.Memory and brain amyloid and tau effects of a bioavailable form of curcumin in non-demented adults: a double-blind, placebo-controlled 18-month trial.The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2018;26(3):266-277. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2017.10.010
Khan UM, Sevindik M, Zarrabi A, et al.Lycopene: food sources, biological activities, and human health benefits.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021;2021:2713511. doi:10.1155/2021/2713511
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