Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as ginkgo or ginkgo is also known as the maidenhair tree, is a species of tree native to China. It is the last living species in the order Ginkgoales, which first appeared over 290 million years ago.

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.1

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

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 a placebo in most cases of Alzheimer's disease, and vascular or mixed dementia.3

The review was unable to identify a consistent benefit of 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.4

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 2014.2 Although six of the nine reviewed clinical trials found that Ginkgo 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 clottings, 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 the use of ginkgo Biloba unless the herb is taken under the supervision of a medical professional. Pregnant women shouldn't take ginkgo.

Given the number of medications and supplements that may interact with ginkgo, it's a good idea to consult your primary care provider before taking ginkgo.

Ginkgo contains a compound called ginkgo toxin. Although ginkgo toxin 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.