Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[5, 13]}

Antioxidant^{[2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13]}

Neuroprotective / cognition support^{[2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^[13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Cardiovascular / heart health^{[13, 14]}Moderate · 5/10

more plants for cardiovascular / heart health →detailed sources →

Cognitive function^{[4, 13, 14]}Moderate · 6/10

inferred from neuroprotective action

more plants for cognitive function →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^[13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Memory^{[4, 13, 14]}Moderate · 6/10

inferred from neuroprotective action

more plants for memory →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^[13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[4, 13, 14]}Caution

Generally well tolerated at standard doses but notable interactions exist. Ginkgo has antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects and should not be combined with warfarin, aspirin, or other blood-thinning medications without medical supervision. May lower the seizure threshold — avoid in epilepsy. Possible side effects include headache, dizziness, and GI upset. The raw seeds contain ginkgotoxin and are toxic; only processed leaf extracts are used medicinally.

Safety note^{[4, 13, 14]}Caution

Duke (2002) rates ginkgo as + (downgraded from higher rating for safety concerns) while noting clinical evidence (score 2) for anti-aggregant (platelet-inhibitory), anti-Alzheimer, and antioxidant activities. Commission E approves ginkgo leaf extract for cognitive deficits, peripheral circulatory disorders, and vertigo. However, Duke emphasizes significant safety concerns: ginkgo substantially increases bleeding risk when combined with anticoagulants (warfarin, aspirin, NSAIDs) and may cause spontaneous bleeding at high doses alone. Dose: 120–240 mg standardized extract (EGb 761) daily. Contraindicated with anticoagulants without medical supervision (Duke, 2002).

References

REF-0829, REF-0824, REF-0825, REF-0056, REF-2179, REF-2180, REF-2181, REF-2182, REF-2183, REF-2184, REF-2185, REF-2186

References & Sources

Tan, M.S., Yu, J.T., Tan, C.C., Wang, H.F. et al (2015) 'Efficacy and adverse effects of Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 43(2), pp. 589-603. doi:10.3233/JAD-140837 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-140837
Singh, S.K., Srivastav, S., Castellani, R.J., Plascencia-Villa, G. and Perry, G (2019) 'Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Effect of Ginkgo biloba Extract Against AD and Other Neurological Disorders', Neurotherapeutics, 16(3), pp. 666-674. doi:10.1007/s13311-019-00767-8 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-019-00767-8
Diamond, B.J. and Bailey, M.R (2013) 'Ginkgo biloba: indications, mechanisms, and safety', Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 36(1), pp. 73-83. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2012.12.006 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2012.12.006
DeKosky, S.T., Williamson, J.D., Fitzpatrick, A.L. et al (2008) 'Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trial', 300(19), pp. 2253--2262. Randomized trial
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Zhu, C., Liu, J., Lin, J., Xu, J. and Yu, E (2024) 'Investigating the effects of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract on cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease', CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 30(9), pp. e14914. doi:10.1111/cns.14914 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/cns.14914
Diamond, B.J., Shiflett, S.C., Feiwel, N., Matheis, R.J., Noskin, O., Richards, J.A. and Schoenberger, N.E (2000) 'Ginkgo biloba extract: mechanisms and clinical indications', Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 81(5), pp. 668-678. doi:10.1016/s0003-9993(00)90052-2 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-9993(00)90052-2
Dubey, A.K., Shankar, P.R., Upadhyaya, D. and Deshpande, V.Y (2004) 'Ginkgo biloba--an appraisal', Kathmandu University Medical Journal, 2(3), pp. 225-229. Meta-analysis / review
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Christen, Y (2004) 'Ginkgo biloba and neurodegenerative disorders', Frontiers in Bioscience, 9, pp. 3091-3104. doi:10.2741/1462 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2741/1462
Sereda, M., Xia, J., Scutt, P., Hilton, M.P., El Refaie, A. and Hoare, D.J (2022) 'Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 11, pp. CD013514. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013514.pub2 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013514.pub2
DeFeudis, F.V. and Drieu, K (2000) 'Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) and CNS functions: basic studies and clinical applications', Current Drug Targets, 1(1), pp. 25-58. doi:10.2174/1389450003349380 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389450003349380
Xie, L., Zhu, Q. and Lu, J (2022) 'Can we use Ginkgo biloba extract to treat Alzheimer's disease? Lessons from preclinical and clinical studies', Cells, 11(3), pp. 479. doi:10.3390/cells11030479 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11030479
von Gunten, A., Schlaefke, S. and Uberla, K (2015) 'Efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in dementia with behavioural and psychological symptoms: a systematic review', World Journal of Biological Psychiatry, 17(8), pp. 622-633. doi:10.3109/15622975.2015.1066513 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3109/15622975.2015.1066513
World Health Organization (1999) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
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Kanowski, S., Herrmann, W.M., Stephan, K., Wierich, W. and Hörr, R (1996) 'Proof of efficacy of the ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in outpatients suffering from mild to moderate primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type or multi-infarct dementia', 29(2), pp. 47--56. Randomized trial
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