Omnia SanaCommon names in 25 European languages →
The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 3 pharmacological actions, 6 traditional / indicated uses, with 22 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Ancient deciduous tree, a 'living fossil' with no close living relatives, bearing distinctive fan-shaped leaves with parallel forking veins that turn brilliant gold in autumn. The tree is dioecious (separate male and female trees); female trees bear fleshy, foul-smelling seed coats surrounding an edible inner nut (ginkgo nut) once the outer flesh is removed.[2]
Habitat & Distribution
Native to China, where a small number of wild populations survive; now cultivated worldwide as a resilient, pollution-tolerant ornamental and medicinal tree.
Harvesting
Leaves are picked in late summer to autumn, when flavonoid and terpenoid content is highest, and processed into standardised extracts; the inner seed is collected in autumn from fallen fruit, with the malodorous outer flesh removed (handled with gloves, as it can irritate skin).
Key Constituents
Antioxidant flavonoids of the leaf, standardised in clinical extracts.
Unique diterpene and sesquiterpene lactones responsible for platelet-activating-factor antagonism and much of the neuroprotective and circulatory activity; also the basis of the bleeding-risk caution.
A neurotoxic compound present in the raw seed; the reason only cooked seed in small amounts, or standardised leaf extract, is used medicinally.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for cardiovascular / heart health →detailed sources →
inferred from neuroprotective action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from neuroprotective action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Traditional Use & History
Ginkgo leaf and seed have a long East Asian tradition: the seed used in traditional Chinese medicine (in small, cooked amounts) for respiratory complaints, and the leaf, though a more recent addition to Western herbalism, now one of the most extensively studied botanicals for cognitive and peripheral circulatory support, reflecting decades of standardised-extract clinical research.[2]
Preparations
Dosage
Clinical trials for cognitive and circulatory support commonly use around 120-240 mg of standardised leaf extract daily, in divided doses. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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.
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).
Herb-Drug Interactions
Herb-Herb Pairings
Ginkgo and garlic both reduce blood clotting/platelet stickiness, so taking them together may add up and raise the risk of bruising or bleeding - use caution, especially before surgery or alongside blood-thinning drugs.
Ginkgo and ginger both reduce blood clotting/platelet stickiness, so taking them together may add up and raise the risk of bruising or bleeding - use caution, especially before surgery or alongside blood-thinning drugs.
Ginkgo and feverfew both reduce blood clotting/platelet stickiness, so taking them together may add up and raise the risk of bruising or bleeding - use caution, especially before surgery or alongside blood-thinning drugs.
Ginkgo and ginseng both reduce blood clotting/platelet stickiness, so taking them together may add up and raise the risk of bruising or bleeding - use caution, especially before surgery or alongside blood-thinning drugs.
Harvest Readiness
[13]
[13]
External Identifiers
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. doi:10.1001/jama.2008.683 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2008.683 - 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
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Ginkgo%20biloba--an%20appraisal - 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 - Plants For A Future 'Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ginkgo+biloba Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ginkgo+biloba - World Health Organization (1999) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=WHO%20Monographs%20on%20Selected%20Medicinal%20Plants - 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. doi:10.1016/s0944-7113(97)80021-9 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0944-7113(97)80021-9 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Izzo, A.A. and Ernst, E (2009) 'Interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs: an updated systematic review', Drugs, 69(13), pp. 1777-1798. doi:10.2165/11317010-000000000-00000 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2165/11317010-000000000-00000 - Bent, S., Goldberg, H., Padula, A. and Avins, A.L (2005) 'Spontaneous bleeding associated with ginkgo biloba: a case report and systematic review of the literature', Journal of General Internal Medicine, 20(7), pp. 657-661. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0121.x Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0121.x - 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 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2012.12.006 - Ang-Lee, M.K., Moss, J. and Yuan, C.S (2001) 'Herbal medicines and perioperative care', JAMA, 286(2), pp. 208-216. doi:10.1001/jama.286.2.208 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.286.2.208 - Jiang, X., Williams, K.M., Liauw, W.S., Ammit, A.J., Roufogalis, B.D., Duke, C.C., Day, R.O. and McLachlan, A.J (2005) 'Effect of ginkgo and ginger on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy subjects', British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 59(4), pp. 425-432. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2005.02322.x Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2005.02322.x - Groenewegen, W.A. and Heptinstall, S (1990) 'A comparison of the effects of an extract of feverfew and parthenolide, a component of feverfew, on human platelet activity in-vitro', Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 42(8), pp. 553-557. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.1990.tb07057.x Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1990.tb07057.x
Selected studies & references
All 21 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
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