Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba Extract
One of the oldest living tree species, used to support cognitive function and circulation with moderate evidence.
Ginkgo biloba extract comes from the leaves of the ancient ginkgo tree. It's commonly used for cognitive enhancement and circulation. Research shows modest benefits for memory in older adults and those with cognitive decline, but effects in healthy young adults are less consistent. Also used for peripheral circulation issues.
Mechanisms of Action
Improved Blood Flow
Enhances circulation to the brain and extremities
Antioxidant Protection
Protects brain cells from oxidative damage
Neurotransmitter Support
May modulate neurotransmitter systems
Recommended Dose
120-240mg standardized extract
Optimal Timing
- With meals
- Split into 2-3 doses
Take with food
Best Form
Standardized extract capsules (EGb 761)
Alternatives: Tablets, Liquid extract
EGb 761 is the most studied standardized extract. Avoid raw ginkgo leaves which contain toxic compounds.
Duration
Minimum: 6 weeks
Optimal: 12 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Use standardized extract containing 24% flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones. Effects build over weeks.
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Improved Memory
Better recall, especially in older adults
Better Circulation
Improved blood flow to extremities
Headache
Some experience headaches initially
Avoid due to bleeding risk and insufficient data
Avoid or use only under medical supervision
Who Should NOT Take This
- Bleeding disorders
- Before surgery (stop 2 weeks prior)
- Seizure disorders
- Scheduled Surgery (contraindicated)
Drug Interactions
May reduce seizure threshold
Increases bleeding risk
Possible increased bleeding risk
Possible Side Effects
Tip: Start with lower dose
Tip: Take with food
Tip: Reduce dose
Warnings
- Increases bleeding risk — stop before surgery
- Effects in healthy young adults are modest
- Only use standardized extracts, not raw leaves
Panax Ginseng
complementaryTraditional combination for cognitive support
May enhance cognitive benefits more than either alone
Bacopa Monnieri
complementaryDifferent mechanisms for memory support
Comprehensive cognitive enhancement
Vinpocetine
complementaryBoth enhance cerebral circulation
Enhanced brain blood flow and cognition
Top studies from 40+ peer-reviewed papers
Xie L et al. • Cells (2022)
“Nevertheless, the preclinical and clinical data suggest that further large-scale clinical trials may be needed in order to examine the effects of long-term GEB administration on early-stage AD.”
Key Findings:
- GBE was shown to reduce the escape latencies in several studies, in both rats and mice (I2 > 70%, p < 0.005).
- For the clinical trials, eight trials, including 2100 individuals, were conducted.
- A lack of sample size calculations and the poor quality of the methods are two obvious limitations of the studies.
- Nevertheless, the preclinical and clinical data suggest that further large-scale clinical trials may be needed in order to examine the effects of long-term GEB administration on early-stage AD.
Mousavi SN et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2022)
“Therefore, this medicinal herb might be a possible strategy for inflammation control.© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.”
Key Findings:
- In the meta-analysis, the weighted mean differences (WMD) in change for serum CRP were -1.5 mg/L (95% CI: -2.16, -0.85, p < 0.001).
- Moreover, WMD for serum IL-6 and TNF-α were in favor of the GBLE compared to the placebo [(-16.86 pg/mL, 95% CI: -19.38, -14.34, p < 0.001); and (-4.19 pg/mL, 95%CI: -5.14, -3.23, p < 0.001), respectively].
- Subgroup analysis showed that GBLE has a beneficial effect on serum CRP at the baseline levels≥3 mg/L and doses<500 mg/day.
- This meta-analysis showed that the GBLE could reduce serum inflammatory markers.
Soares-Weiser K et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2018)
“This review has found that the use of valbenazine or extract of Ginkgo biloba may be effective in relieving the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.”
Key Findings:
- Studies were primarily of short (three to six6 weeks) duration with small samples size (10 to 157 participants), and most (61%) were published more than 20 years ago.
- Two studies found moderate-quality evidence of a benefit of the intervention compared with placebo: valbenazine (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.86, 1 RCT, n = 92) and extract of Ginkgo biloba (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.96, 1 RCT, n = 157), respectively.
- This review has found that the use of valbenazine or extract of Ginkgo biloba may be effective in relieving the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.
- However, since only one RCT has investigated each one of these compounds, we are awaiting results from ongoing trials to confirm these results.
Whitton ME et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2015)
“This review has found some evidence from individual studies to support existing therapies for vitiligo, but the usefulness of the findings is limited by the different designs and outcome measurements and lack of quality of life measures.”
Key Findings:
- All of the studies assessed repigmentation, however only five reported on all of our three primary outcomes which were quality of life, > 75% repigmentation and adverse effects.
- This review has found some evidence from individual studies to support existing therapies for vitiligo, but the usefulness of the findings is limited by the different designs and outcome measurements and lack of quality of life measures.
- There is a need for follow-up studies to assess permanence of repigmentation as well as high- quality randomised trials using standardised measures and which also address quality of life.
Riepe M et al. • The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (2025)
“The meta-analysis demonstrates that patients with mild dementia benefit from EGb 761 in terms of cognition, activities of daily living, global assessment and quality of life.”
Key Findings:
- The meta-analysis demonstrates that patients with mild dementia benefit from EGb 761 in terms of cognition, activities of daily living, global assessment and quality of life.
- Published in The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (2025)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Study Type Distribution
Goals This Supplement Supports
Related Goals
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement.