The Health Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is an antioxidant-rich herb used to enhance brain health and treat a variety of conditions. Although dietary supplements typically contain extracts of the plant's leaves, ginkgo biloba seeds are commonly used for healing purposes in traditional Chinese medicine.

Ginkgo contains numerous flavonoids, compounds which proponents suggest can protect against aging-related issues such as dementia by improving blood flow to the brain, among other benefits.

Health Benefits

Ginkgo biloba is said to aid in the treatment or prevention of the following health problems:

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Alzheimer's disease
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Depression
• Erectile dysfunction 
• Fatigue
• Glaucoma
• High blood pressure
• Insulin resistance
• Multiple sclerosis
• Peripheral artery disease
• Sexual dysfunction in women
• Tinnitus

In addition, ginkgo biloba is said to preserve memory, as well as promote recovery from stroke.

Scientific studies support some, but not all ginkgo benefits. Here's a look at the science behind the potential health benefits of ginkgo biloba:

Brain Health

So far, studies testing ginkgo biloba's effects against aging-related declines in brain health have yielded mixed results. A review of studies using the standardized Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 found the supplement to be more effective than placebo in most cases of Alzheimer's disease, and vascular or mixed dementia.

The review was unable to identify a consistent benefit for using Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions.

Eye Health

Ginkgo biloba shows promise in the treatment of glaucoma and other eye diseases. Ginkgo biloba contains natural properties that act as antioxidants and improve blood flow. This effect has been shown to reduce retinal degeneration. There's also evidence of Ginkgo biloba producing color vision improvements for patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Blood Pressure

It's too soon to tell whether ginkgo biloba can help treat high blood pressure, according to a research review published in Phytomedicine in 2014. Although six of the nine reviewed clinical trials found that gingko biloba may help reduce blood pressure, the herb did not appear to have significant effects on blood pressure in the other three trials.

Since most of the reviewed studies were considerably flawed, the review's authors state that more rigorous research is needed before ginkgo biloba can be recommended for blood pressure control. 

Possible Side Effects

Ginkgo biloba may trigger the following side effects: allergic skin reactions, diarrhea, digestive problems, dizziness, headaches, muscle weakness, and nausea.

Since ginkgo biloba may affect blood clotting, it shouldn't be used by people with bleeding disorders or those who are taking medication or supplements that affect blood clotting, such as warfarin, aspirin, garlic, vitamin E and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Some cases of bleeding have occurred in individuals who were not on another blood thinner. Individuals with epilepsy or diabetes should also avoid use of ginkgo biloba, unless the herb is taken under the supervision of a medical professional. Pregnant women shouldn't take ginkgo.

Ginkgo contains a compound called ginkgotoxin. Although ginkgotoxin is found in the largest amounts in ginkgo nuts, it's also present in small quantities in the leaves. Structurally similar to vitamin B6, it has been found to block vitamin B6 activity.

According to one case report, a woman developed generalized tonic-clonic seizure after eating large amounts of ginkgo nuts and had lowered blood vitamin B6 levels. After treatment, which included vitamin B6 medication, her symptoms resolved and no seizures recurred.

Dosage and Preparation

There is no established standard dose for gingko biloba. Different formulations and doses have been used in research studies investigating the herb's effect on various conditions. The right dose for you may depend on several factors, including your age, gender, medical history, and formulation used.

What to Look For

Gingko is known by many other names, including bai guo ye, yinhsing, and fossil tree. But the supplement is most popularly known as gingko biloba and you will most likely see it on store shelves labeled as such. Many health food markets and vitamin shops sell this product.

To make sure that you get the proper dose, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that you look for a Supplement Facts label on the product that you buy. This label will contain vital information including the amount of active ingredients per serving. You can also find out if other ingredients have been added to the product such as fillers, binders, and flavorings.

Lastly, the organization suggests that you look for a product that contains a seal of approval from a third-party organization that provides quality testing. These organizations include U.S. Pharmacopeia, ConsumerLab.com, and NSF International.

A seal of approval from one of these organizations does not guarantee the product's safety or effectiveness but it does provide assurance that the product was properly manufactured, contains the ingredients listed on the label, and does not contain harmful levels of contaminants.