Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)


Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Claudication (painful legs from clogged arteries)
Numerous studies suggest that Ginkgo biloba taken by mouth causes small improvements in claudication symptoms (leg pain with exercise or at rest due to clogged arteries). However, ginkgo may not be as helpful for this condition as exercise therapy or prescription drugs. 		A
Dementia (multi-infarct and Alzheimer's-type)
Overall, the scientific literature does suggest that ginkgo benefits people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease and multi-infarct dementia, and it may be as helpful as acetylcholinesterase inhibitor drugs such as donepezil (Aricept®). Well-designed research comparing ginkgo to prescription drug therapies is needed. 		A
Cerebral insufficiency
Multiple clinical trials have evaluated ginkgo for a syndrome called "cerebral insufficiency." This condition, more commonly diagnosed in Europe than the United States, may include poor concentration, confusion, absentmindedness, decreased physical performance, fatigue, headache, dizziness, depression, and anxiety. It is believed that cerebral insufficiency is caused by decreased blood flow to the brain due to clogged blood vessels. Some research has reported benefits of ginkgo in patients with these symptoms, but most have been poorly designed and without reliable results. 		B
Acute hemorrhoidal attacks
In early research, ginkgo was shown to be effective in the treatment of patients with acute hemorrhoidal attacks. Further research is needed to confirm these results. 		C
Age-associated memory impairment
Age-associated memory impairment (AAMI) is a nonspecific syndrome, which may be caused by early Alzheimer's disease or multi-infarct dementia (conditions for which ginkgo has been shown to have benefit). There is preliminary research showing small improvements in memory and other brain functions in patients with AAMI, although some studies disagree. Better studies are needed before a firm conclusion can be made. 		C
Altitude (mountain) sickness
A small amount of poorly designed research has reported benefits of ginkgo for the treatment of altitude (mountain) sickness. Additional research is needed before a firm conclusion can be made. 		C
Asthma
Ginkgo may reduce symptoms in patients with asthma. More research is needed to make a firm conclusion. 		C
Cardiovascular disease
Animal and limited human data suggest a role in heart blood flow. More research is needed in this area. 		C
Chemotherapy side effects reduction
In limited human research, ginkgo has been examined in addition to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the treatment of pancreatic and colorectal cancer, to measure possible benefits on side effects. At this time, there is a lack of conclusive evidence in this area. 		C
Chronic venous insufficiency
Research is unclear in this area. However, a multi-ingredient product called Ginkor Fort® may aid in the treatment of patients with lower limb chronic venous insufficiency. Further research is needed, and firm conclusions cannot be made at this point. 		C
Cocaine dependence
It is not clear whether ginkgo is helpful in treating cocaine dependence. More research is needed. 		C
Cognitive performance (in patients with multiple sclerosis)
Based on human research, Ginkgo biloba in patients with multiple sclerosis may improve cognitive function. More well-designed trials are needed before a firm conclusion can be made. 		C
Depression and seasonal affective disorder
Preliminary research on seasonal affective disorder (SAD) suggests that ginkgo is not effective in preventing the development of winter depression. Other research in elderly patients with depression shows possible minor benefits. Overall, there is not enough evidence to form a clear conclusion. 		C
Diabetic nephropathy
Research is unclear in this area. Ginkgo may help improve some laboratory parameters associated with diabetic nephropathy, but more research is needed to make a firm conclusion. 		C
Dyslexia
Ginkgo is traditionally used for improved memory or cognition and research supports a possible use for patients with dyslexia. More research is needed in this area. 		C
Gastric cancer
Ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharide (GBEP) capsule preparation has been studied for upper digestive tract malignant tumors of middle and late stages, with positive results. However, further research is needed before a conclusion can be made. 		C
Glaucoma
It is not clear if ginkgo may improve intraocular pressure and blood flow in patients with glaucoma. Some study results conflict or have not been significant. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be made. 		C
Graves' disease
Ginkgo may decrease damage to cells caused by radioiodine therapy in patients with Graves' disease. Further research is needed. 		C
Macular degeneration
Preliminary research suggests that ginkgo may improve eye blood flow, although it remains unclear if macular degeneration is significantly affected by ginkgo. More research is needed in this area before a conclusion can be drawn. 		C
Memory enhancement (in healthy people)
It remains unclear if ginkgo is effective. Further well-designed research is needed, as existing study results conflict. 		C
Mood and cognition in post-menopausal women
It remains unclear if ginkgo is effective for mood and cognition improvement. Further well-designed research is needed, as existing research has reported conflicting evidence. 		C
Multiple sclerosis
Based on laboratory research, it has been suggested that ginkgo may provide benefit in multiple sclerosis (MS). Human research is limited to several small studies, which have not found consistent benefit. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made. 		C
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Initial research has not shown any effect of Ginkgo on peripheral artery disease. More studies are needed before a conclusion can be made. 		C
Premenstrual syndrome
Initial research in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or breast discomfort suggests that ginkgo may relieve symptoms, including emotional upset. Further well-designed research is needed before a conclusion can be made. 		C
Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis
Based on early research, ginkgo may be effective in treating pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. Further research is needed to confirm these results. 		C
Quality of life
Early studies suggest that ginkgo may aid in quality of life. More randomized controlled trials are needed before a conclusion can be made. 		C
Raynaud's disease
Results from one clinical trial suggest that Ginkgo biloba may be effective in reducing the number of attacks in patients suffering from Raynaud's disease. In order to confirm these results, further clinical trials are required. 		C
Retinopathy (diabetes mellitus type 2)
Early research suggests that Ginkgo biloba extract may offer benefit to individuals with retinopathy. Further clinical trials are required to determine efficacy . 		C
Schizophrenia
Based on its proposed antioxidant effects, ginkgo has been studied in the treatment of schizophrenia. Although early research is promising, there is currently not enough scientific evidence to make a firm conclusion. 		C
Sexual dysfunction
Ginkgo has been used and studied for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in men and women. In general, the studies were small and not well designed. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made. 		C
Stroke
Laboratory studies suggest that ginkgo may be helpful immediately following strokes, because of possible antioxidant or blood vessel effects. However, initial study of ginkgo in people having strokes found a lack of benefit. Further research is needed in this area. 		C
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
There is conflicting research regarding the use of ginkgo for tinnitus. Additional well-designed research is needed in order to resolve this controversy. 		C
Vertigo
A small amount of poorly designed research has reported benefits of ginkgo for the treatment of vertigo. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made. 		C
Vitiligo
Early research using oral Ginkgo biloba extract has reported that ginkgo appears to arrest the progression of this disease. Better-designed studies are needed to confirm these results. 		C
Mental performance (after eating)
The results of one study investigating the effect of Ginkgo biloba on postprandial mental alertness are unclear. Ginkgo may benefit some but not all endpoints. Further clinical trials are required before conclusions can be made. 		D

Key to grades
A Strong scientific evidence for this use
B Good scientific evidence for this use
C Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work)
F Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work)

Grading rationale

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Acidosis, adaptogen, aging, alcoholism, allergies, angina, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antirheumatic, antitumor, anxiety, arthritis, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autoimmune disorders, bladder disorders, blood clots, blood vessel disorders, body fat reducer (cellulite), brain damage, breast disease, breast tenderness, bronchitis, cancer, cataracts, chest pain, chilblains (inflammation of toes, fingers, ears, or face with exposure to cold), chronic rhinitis, colorectal cancer, congestive heart failure, contraceptive, cough, cyanosis, degenerative diseases (prevention), dermatitis, diabetes, digestion, dizziness, dysentery (bloody diarrhea), eczema, edema, encephalopathy (circulatory), expectorant, fatigue, fibromyalgia, freckle-removing, genitourinary disorders, headache, hearing loss, heart attack, hepatitis B, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypoxia (lack of oxygen), immunomodulator, insomnia, labor induction, menstrual pain, migraine, mouth cancer, respiratory tract illnesses, scabies (ginkgo cream), seizures, sepsis, skin sores (ginkgo cream), spermicide, sports performance, swelling, stress, traumatic brain injury, ulcer (trophic lesions), ulcerative colitis, vaginal dryness, varicose veins, vision (color).

Dosing Related terms
NS_patient-ginkgo Portions of this document last updated: Sept. 1, 2012

THIS EVIDENCE-BASED MONOGRAPH WAS PREPARED BY
THE NATURAL STANDARD RESEARCH COLLABORATION
(www.naturalstandard.com)

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger