Ginkgo Biloba: Potential Benefits, Known Risks, and More

Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness. Talk to a healthcare professional about whether a supplement is the right fit for your individual health, and about any potential drug interactions or safety concerns.

Ginkgo biloba, sometimes simply referred to as ginkgo, has a long history in Chinese medicine. One of the oldest living species of trees, ginkgo produces a fruit that is toxic when raw, but the tree's leaves have been used for thousands of years as a remedy for a number of health conditions, including respiratory issues and kidney disorders.

The herb has become popular as a supplement, with ginkgo extract touted as a way to keep memory sharp and to alleviate other health issues, including anxiety, dementia, and heart disease.

Study results have been mixed, however. Here’s a closer look at what ginkgo biloba is and what the current evidence suggests about its health benefits.

Scientists have identified more than 60 bioactive components of ginkgo biloba, but two of them — flavonoids and terpenoids — are believed to be the most beneficial for health.

“Ginkgo contains high levels of flavonoids and terpenoids, which are compounds known for their strong antioxidant effects,” explains Kris Dilley, RDN, lead dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

Antioxidants help combat or neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals, which are unstable oxygen molecules that can contribute to cell damage and diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes, adds Dilley.

“Many of the suspected benefits of taking ginkgo are related to these antioxidant effects,” she says.

However, the research on ginkgo’s benefits is inconsistent and limited in quality, says John “Wesley” McWhorter, DrPH, RD, director of lifestyle medicine for Suvida Healthcare and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in Houston.

“Much of the early excitement came from lab and animal research, but human trials haven’t consistently backed up the claims. When you look at larger reviews and meta-analyses, the results are all over the place. In short: ginkgo’s reputation is bigger than the science behind it,” he says.

Dr. McWhorter adds that ginkgo biloba isn’t currently recommended as a primary treatment for any purpose. “For most people, the risk is low, but the benefit is also unclear,” he says. “It’s not a magic fix, and shouldn’t replace more proven strategies like a balanced, fiber-rich diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats; exercise; and evidence-based medical care.”

Alice Prescott Sullivan, DO, an osteopathic and functional medicine provider at Columbia Integrative Medicine in Santa Rosa, California, says that she might advise using ginkgo “as one tool in the arsenal” for patients with conditions such as vascular illness or memory impairments, in addition to lifestyle changes and any medication they’ve been prescribed. “These conditions are multifactorial, and just bringing in one agent isn’t really going to improve your outcome,” she explains.

With that in mind, here’s what the available research suggests about the benefits of ginkgo biloba.

May Help Treat Dementia and Cognitive Impairment

One purported benefit of ginkgo supplementation is that it may help treat dementia and improve cognition. In a review and meta-analysis of eight studies, researchers concluded that a ginkgo extract had a “significant” positive impact on people with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia compared with a placebo.

However, other studies that looked at whether ginkgo can help treat dementia have had contradictory findings.

“Consumers should be aware that while some studies have shown effectiveness, not all studies have shown a benefit, and further research is needed,” Dilley says.

McWhorter agrees, noting that many studies have limitations like small sample sizes or inconsistent methodology. “We need more large, long-term, placebo-controlled trials to confirm whether these effects are meaningful and who might benefit most,” McWhorter says.

In short, McWhorter says there’s not enough strong or consistent evidence to recommend ginkgo for cognitive health. “It may be reasonable for someone to try as part of a broader healthy lifestyle, but it’s not something to count on,” he says.

May Help Treat Heart Disease

Although some research suggests that ginkgo may help prevent or improve heart disease, other studies indicate no benefit.

For instance, one review of several studies involving healthy participants suggests that ginkgo may have multiple benefits, including helping to maintain the functionality of blood vessels and ion channels, which play a role in regulating heartbeat and muscle contractions.

And in another recent review, researchers concluded that ginkgolide B, an active compound in ginkgo biloba, may help prevent and treat atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease in which plaque accumulates on the artery walls.

However, most studies included in these reviews were older and had small sample sizes, or used animal or test tube subjects, says Michelle Routhenstein, RD, a cardiology dietitian and the owner of Entirely Nourished in New York City.

“The research is mixed and not very strong. While its antioxidant and circulation-boosting properties suggest possible benefits, studies haven’t shown consistent results,” she explains, adding that more large clinical trials are needed to fully understand the effects of ginkgo on cardiovascular disease.

May Help Treat Depression

A small body of research — including a review of 21 studies that looked at data from 2,074 participants — suggests that ginkgo may help treat depression.

But again, the evidence is preliminary.

“Right now, it’s more of a ‘might help’ than a proven option,” McWhorter says. “We don’t have enough high-quality research to recommend it for mental health.”

May Help Treat Sexual Dysfunction

Some small studies have suggested that ginkgo shows promise in improving sexual dysfunction, but again, further research is needed.

One review of five placebo-controlled studies concluded that ginkgo biloba may improve sexual function in postmenopausal women, but also found that it has no effect on antidepressant-related sexual health issues.

“The evidence around ginkgo's effects on sexual dysfunction is really limited and unclear,” says Liz Weinandy, RDN, an instructor or practice in dietetics and nutrition at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. “There are some small studies showing possible benefits for taking ginkgo for females experiencing sexual dysfunction. But I would caution anyone trying to use it for this purpose.”

It’s important to note that the FDA is not authorized to approve dietary supplements before they are marketed.

The agency only intervenes if a safety concern arises.

Also, while ginkgo leaf extract is safe, raw ginkgo seeds and fruit pulp are toxic and should never be consumed.

Risks

In general, most healthy people can safely take modest amounts of ginkgo.

However, some people should not take ginkgo, including children, pregnant people, and individuals who are breastfeeding, Dilley says.

“Ginkgo might cause early labor or extra bleeding during delivery if used near that time, and effects during breastfeeding are unknown,” she explains.

Ginkgo can increase the risk of bleeding, so it's not recommended for people taking anticoagulants (blood thinners), Dr. Sullivan notes. For the same reason, the Mayo Clinic recommends that you stop taking ginkgo two weeks before surgery.

Ginkgo may also interfere with the management of diabetes, as well as medications including those that treat seizures, depression, and high blood pressure.

“Any individual taking prescription medications should always check with their physician or pharmacist prior to taking herbal supplements as there could be a chance for adverse reactions,” Dilley says.

Ginkgo may also interact with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, she adds.

Side Effects

Ginkgo usually doesn’t cause many side effects in healthy people.

However, you may experience the following:

Headache
Dizziness
Upset stomach
Constipation
Heart palpitations
Allergic skin reactions

Ginkgo is available in capsules, tablets, powders, gummies, teas, and liquid extracts, Routhenstein says. Again, never eat ginkgo seeds or fruit pulp, as they’re toxic.

“Capsules, tablets, or standardized extracts are generally the most reliable and well absorbed, while teas and powders can vary in strength,” Routhenstein says. “Gummies may contain added sugars, and tinctures are fast acting but can be less appealing due to taste or cost.”

Ginkgo supplements are widely available nationwide, but not all products are created equal. Here’s how to choose a quality supplement and store it properly.

Selection

Because the FDA doesn’t regulate dietary supplements like conventional medicines, Dilley recommends checking the label for certification by US Pharmacopeia (USP), NSF, or ConsumerLab.com. This means that the product has undergone third-party testing to ensure that it contains what it claims and not other (potentially harmful) substances.

Routhenstein also suggests aiming for standardized extracts and avoiding products with unnecessary fillers or added ingredients. “In most cases, a single-ingredient ginkgo supplement is preferable, since combination products may dilute the dose or include ingredients that aren’t well studied,” Routhenstein says.

If you’re having trouble determining which ginkgo supplement to use, ask your healthcare provider for a recommendation.

Storage

Like most supplements, ginkgo should be stored in a cool, dry place away from heat, light, or moisture, Weinandy says.

“Additionally, ginkgo should always be stored in its original container and out of reach of children to avoid accidental misuse,” she adds.

There is no standard dose or prescribed upper limit for ginkgo.

“In studies, doses are typically between 120 to 240 milligrams per day in divided doses,” Dilley says.

Ginkgo biloba has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, but research has yet to clearly bear out its efficacy as a complementary medicine for various health conditions, and more robust studies are needed
If you decide to try ginkgo, choose a product that’s third-party tested for safety and purity.
Talk to your healthcare provider before trying ginkgo, as it may interfere with certain medications and conditions.

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