Ginkgo biloba, also known as “ginkgo,” is rich in antioxidants. It may help reduce inflammation and benefit heart, brain, and eye health. However, scientific research is limited.
Ginkgo biloba, or maidenhair, is a tree native to China that has been grown for thousands of years for a variety of uses. Because it’s the only surviving member of an ancient order of plants, it’s sometimes referred to as a living fossil.
While its leaves and seeds are often used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), modern research primarily focuses on ginkgo extract, which is made from the leaves.
Ginkgo supplements are associated with several health claims and uses, most of which focus on brain function and blood circulation.
Read on for information about the possible benefits of ginkgo biloba.
Ginkgo’s antioxidant content may be the reason behind many of its health claims.
Ginkgo contains high levels of flavonoids and terpenoids, which are compounds known for their strong antioxidant effects. Antioxidants combat or neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals.
However, it remains unclear exactly how beneficial the antioxidant properties in ginkgo are.
Learn about foods high in antioxidants.
Inflammation is part of the body’s natural response to injury or invasion by a foreign substance.
In the inflammatory response, various components of the immune system are recruited to fight against the foreign invader or heal the injured area.
Some research suggests that ginkgo extract can reduce markers of inflammation in both human and animal cells in a variety of disease states.
While this data is encouraging, more, larger-scale human studies are needed before drawing concrete conclusions about ginkgo’s role in treating these complex diseases.
Learn about anti-inflammatory foods.
In TCM, ginkgo seeds were used to open “channels” of energy to different organ systems, including the kidneys, liver, brain, and lungs.
Ginkgo’s apparent ability to increase blood flow to various parts of the body may be the origin of many of its supposed benefits.
One older study from 2008 in people with heart disease who supplemented with ginkgo revealed an immediate increase in blood flow to multiple parts of the body. This was attributed to a 12% increase in levels of circulating nitric oxide, a compound responsible for dilating blood vessels
More research is needed to fully understand how ginkgo affects circulation and heart and brain health.
Learn about vitamins for improving circulation.
Research results are inconsistent with regard to whether ginkgo can reduce anxiety, stress, and symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline linked to aging.
Some studies show a marked reduction in the rate of cognitive decline in people with dementia using ginkgo, but others fail to replicate this result.
A 2016 review of 21 studies revealed that, when used in conjunction with conventional medication, ginkgo extract may increase functional capabilities in those with mild Alzheimer’s disease.
A 2018 review evaluated four studies and found a significant reduction in a spectrum of symptoms associated with dementia when ginkgo was used for 22 to 24 weeks.
Overall, it’s too soon to definitively state or refute ginkgo’s role in treating dementia, but recent research is beginning to make this piece clearer.
Learn about dementia treatments.
There’s some speculation that ginkgo may enhance brain function in some individuals.
An older study from 2002 supports the notion that supplementing with ginkgo may increase mental performance and perceived well-being.
However, a 2012 review of research on this relationship concluded that supplementing with ginkgo did not result in any measurable improvements in memory, executive function, or attention capacity.
While supplementing with ginkgo may improve mental capability, more studies are needed.
A handful of animal studies from 2015 and 2018 have observed reductions in anxiety symptoms that may be attributed to the antioxidant content of ginkgo.
While supplementing with ginkgo may reduce anxiety, it’s still too early to draw any definitive conclusions from the available research.
A 2018 human study in 136 older adults also found that ginkgo biloba extract could improve symptoms of depression and reduce levels of S100B, a marker of brain injury, when paired with an antidepressant.
A 2019 study showed that older adults with post-stroke depression who took ginkgo biloba extract alongside an antidepressant for 8 weeks experienced significant reductions in symptoms of depression compared to taking an antidepressant alone.
Nonetheless, depression is a complex condition that may have a variety of root causes.
More research is needed to better understand the relationship between ginkgo and how it may affect depression in the general population.
Learn about getting help for depression.
Very little research has investigated how ginkgo relates to vision and eye health.
A 2018 review showed that people with glaucoma who took a ginkgo supplement experienced increased blood flow to the eyes, but this didn’t necessarily translate to better vision.
A 2013 review of two studies evaluated the effect of ginkgo extract on the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Some participants reported an improvement in vision, but this wasn’t statistically significant across the board.
These results may be related to increased blood flow to the eyes.
It’s unclear if ginkgo would improve vision in those who don’t already have vision impairment and more research is needed to determine whether ginkgo can increase vision capacity or slow the progression of degenerative eye disease.
Learn about nutrients for improving eye health.
Very little research is available on ginkgo’s ability to treat headaches. However, depending on the root cause of the headache, it may help.
For example, it’s well known that ginkgo has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. If a headache or migraine is caused by excessive stress, ginkgo may be useful.
Additionally, if a headache is related to reduced blood flow or constricted blood vessels, ginkgo’s ability to dilate blood vessels may improve symptoms.
On the contrary, some migraine headaches are caused by the excessive dilation of blood vessels. In this situation, ginkgo may have little to no effect.
More research is necessary to understand whether ginkgo might be useful for treating headaches and migraine.
Learn about natural ways to relieve migraine.
Some research indicates that ginkgo may improve symptoms of asthma and other inflammatory respiratory diseases like COPD.
This is attributed to the anti-inflammatory compounds in ginkgo, which may allow for reduced inflammation of the airways and increased lung capacity.
One older 2007 study of 75 people evaluated the use of ginkgo extract alongside glucocorticosteroid medication therapy for managing asthma symptoms. The levels of inflammatory compounds in the saliva of those who received ginkgo were significantly lower than those who received traditional medication alone.
More research on this specific application of ginkgo is necessary.
Preliminary research indicates that ginkgo may help treat both the physical and psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
An older 2009 study of 85 college students revealed a 23% reduction in reported PMS symptoms when consuming ginkgo.
The placebo group in this study also experienced a slight reduction in PMS symptoms, though it was much lower, at around 8.8%.
Further research is necessary to better understand the cause-and-effect relationship between ginkgo and PMS symptoms.
Learn about supplements for PMS.
Ginkgo may treat issues related to sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction and low libido.
Ginkgo has the ability to improve blood levels of nitric oxide, which improves circulation via the dilation of blood vessels.
As a result, ginkgo may also be useful for treating various symptoms of sexual dysfunction by improving blood flow to those areas of the body.
Some 2021 research has investigated using ginkgo to treat sexual dysfunction caused by the use of antidepressant drugs. Results indicated that ginkgo wasn’t any more effective than a placebo in these cases.
Additionally, there may be an interaction between ginkgo and SSRI medications, which could render them less effective.
An older 2008 study evaluated the use of ginkgo to increase sexual desire and contentment in women who were concurrently undergoing sexual psychotherapy.
The combination of ginkgo and therapy was effective over a longer term compared with a placebo, but supplementing with ginkgo alone was not.
However, research does not support using ginkgo to treat sexual dysfunction at this time.
It’s important to talk with a doctor before taking ginkgo.
There are cases in which ginkgo could cause serious harm. If you are allergic to products that contain alkylphenols, you should not take ginkgo, as it can cause an allergic reaction.
Other possible side effects include:
Ginkgo also has the potential to interact with certain medications. Examples include:
Ginkgo biloba is commercially available in the following forms:
Most of the current research reflects results using purified ginkgo extract. Do not eat raw ginkgo seeds, as they are poisonous.
There’s no clearly defined maximum dosage, but it’s wise to start with a lower dose and work your way up to ensure tolerance. It’s best to contact a doctor for advice on dosages before taking ginkgo.
As there’s limited research in humans, it’s unclear what a safe dosage would be.
Ginkgo biloba has possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities. It may also help improve circulation.
However, while ginkgo has been used for centuries, scientific research is still limited. Much of the available research is inconsistent or inconclusive, and it’s important to keep that in mind.
As with any herbal supplement, there are risks involved. Ginkgo could lead to serious health complications if you’re allergic or taking certain medications.
If you’re thinking of including ginkgo in your health regimen, be sure to consult a doctor first.