Ginkgo biloba is an herbal extract that has been said to preserve memory and help prevent memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Does it really work, that is the question. In Europe and the United States, Ginkgo biloba is one of the best selling herbal supplements and in Germany and France it is approved for the treatment of dementia.
What is Ginkgo Biloba Used For
The Ginkgo biloba tree is one of the oldest living tree species, and its leaves have been used to treat fatigue, ringing or roaring noise in the ears (tinnitus), sexual dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, intermittent claudication (pain caused by inadequate blood flow in the leg), bronchitis and asthma. Today, it is most popular for treating memory loss, treating and preventing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Ginkgo biloba is thought to work by increasing the blood flow and it is high in antioxidants and is an anti-inflammatory. The increased blood flow is supposed to help the health of the brain increasing memory and other brain functions. The high levels of antioxidants clean out the free radicals reducing the damage to the brain and the rest of our body.
The Studies against Ginkgo Biloba and Memory
A new study released on December 29, 2009, by the Journal of the American Medical Association is actually a new study of previously published data. This study was to find out if Ginkgo biloba slows the rate of cognitive decline in aging [1].
This JAMA study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 3069 people with ages between 72 and 96 years old conducted between 2000 and 2008 and a follow-up of 6 years. This study used a twice-daily dose of 120 mg (milligrams) of Ginkgo biloba. The study looked at and scored memory, attention, language, executive functions, and visual-spatial construction.
The results found that there were no differences in the scores in any of these areas tested. Their conclusion was that when compared with a placebo, Ginkgo biloba did not result in less cognitive decline in older adults with normal or with mild cognitive impairment.
A six-week random double-blind placebo-controlled study with 230 adults 60 years of age and older and in good health showed no difference in learning, memory, concentration or attention between the two groups. This study took place between 1996 and 1998 [2].
Another study of 118 adults with a mean age of 87 found no difference between the placebo and Ginkgo biloba groups with memory decline and a follow-up of 3.5 years [3].
A more recent meta-analysis found that Ginkgo Biloba had no positive effects on the range of cognitive functions in healthy adults [4].
This JAMA study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 3069 people with ages between 72 and 96 years old conducted between 2000 and 2008 and a follow-up of 6 years. This study used a twice-daily dose of 120 mg (milligrams) of Ginkgo biloba. The study looked at and scored memory, attention, language, executive functions, and visual-spatial construction.
A six-week random double-blind placebo-controlled study with 230 adults 60 years of age and older and in good health showed no difference in learning, memory, concentration or attention between the two groups. This study took place between 1996 and 1998 [2].
Another study of 118 adults with a mean age of 87 found no difference between the placebo and Ginkgo biloba groups with memory decline and a follow-up of 3.5 years [3].
A more recent meta-analysis found that Ginkgo Biloba had no positive effects on the range of cognitive functions in healthy adults [4].
The Studies for Ginkgo Biloba
The proponents of Ginkgo biloba point to the Cochran Review of numerous studies published in 2003 [5]. The review found that there were no adverse side effects with Ginkgo biloba when compared to a placebo.
The main results found improvement when taking Ginkgo biloba with cognition, mood and emotional function and activities of daily living. The reviews conclusion was that “overall there is promising evidence with improvement in cognition and function when taking Ginkgo biloba. However, the three more modern trials showed inconsistent results.” More studies are needed.
A study published in July 2004 found that 120 mg per day of Ginkgo biloba significantly improved sustained attention and pattern-recognition memory tasks, but there was no improvement in planning, working memory or mood [6]
A 2000 study using healthy young adults, found that ginkgo produced a sustained improvement in attention [7]
The main results found improvement when taking Ginkgo biloba with cognition, mood and emotional function and activities of daily living. The reviews conclusion was that “overall there is promising evidence with improvement in cognition and function when taking Ginkgo biloba. However, the three more modern trials showed inconsistent results.” More studies are needed.
A study published in July 2004 found that 120 mg per day of Ginkgo biloba significantly improved sustained attention and pattern-recognition memory tasks, but there was no improvement in planning, working memory or mood [6]
A 2000 study using healthy young adults, found that ginkgo produced a sustained improvement in attention [7]
Ginkgo Biloba Health Benefits
Even though there is not much evidence that ginkgo helps with age related memory loss, a recent article (2016) on the Mayo Clinic website has found that there are numerous health benefits of Ginkgo. They gave grades to different medical conditions and gave a B ( Good scientific evidence for this use ), that ginkgo was helpful for the following health conditions:
Many of the Ginkgo biloba studies find that it does not work for enhancing memory and other cognitive functions. Ginkgo biloba is also used for other health reasons, such as increased blood flow and libido, but for memory, so far the studies are not overly promising for memory loss and dementia.
- Cerebral insufficiency (insufficient blood flow to the brain)
- Dementia
- General anxiety disorder
- Schizophrenia
Conclusion
Many of the Ginkgo biloba studies find that it does not work for enhancing memory and other cognitive functions. Ginkgo biloba is also used for other health reasons, such as increased blood flow and libido, but for memory, so far the studies are not overly promising for memory loss and dementia.
Ginkgo Biloba and Drug Interactions
There is some concern that Ginkgo biloba can interact with blood thinners like Warfarin or Coumadin. If you are taking a blood thinner or any prescription medicine, talk to your doctor before taking Ginkgo biloba.
Another warning is that Ginkgo Biloba should not be taken with ibuprofen as it can also cause bleeding.
For more on safety and drug interactions with Ginkgo biloba, go to the WebMD web site. Always talk to your doctor before taking supplements.
About the Author
Sam Montana is a certified Food Over Medicine instructor from the Wellness Forum Health Center and certified in optimal nutrition from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
© 2009-2016 Sam Montana
Resources:
[2] JAMA - Paul R. Solomon, PhD; Felicity Adams, BA; Amanda Silver, BA; Jill Zimmer, BA; Richard DeVeaux, PhD
[3] Neurology - Dodge HH, Zitzelberger T, Oken BS, Howieson D, Kaye J. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of Ginkgo biloba for the prevention of cognitive decline. Neurology. 2008;70(19 pt 2):1809-1817
[4] PubMed - Laws KR, Sweetnam H, Kondel TK. Is Ginkgo biloba a cognitive enhancer in healthy individuals? A meta-analysis. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2012 Nov;27(6):527-33. doi: 10.1002/hup.2259. Epub 2012 Sep 24. PMID: 23001963.
[5] Cochrane Review
[6] Springer - Elsabagh, S., Hartley, D.E., Ali, O. et al. Differential cognitive effects of Ginkgo biloba after acute and chronic treatment in healthy young volunteers. Psychopharmacology 179, 437–446 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-2206-6
[7] Springer - Kennedy, D., Scholey, A. & Wesnes, K. The dose-dependent cognitive effects of acute administration of Ginkgo biloba to healthy young volunteers. Psychopharmacology 151, 416–423 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130000501
[3] Neurology - Dodge HH, Zitzelberger T, Oken BS, Howieson D, Kaye J. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of Ginkgo biloba for the prevention of cognitive decline. Neurology. 2008;70(19 pt 2):1809-1817
[4] PubMed - Laws KR, Sweetnam H, Kondel TK. Is Ginkgo biloba a cognitive enhancer in healthy individuals? A meta-analysis. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2012 Nov;27(6):527-33. doi: 10.1002/hup.2259. Epub 2012 Sep 24. PMID: 23001963.
[5] Cochrane Review
[6] Springer - Elsabagh, S., Hartley, D.E., Ali, O. et al. Differential cognitive effects of Ginkgo biloba after acute and chronic treatment in healthy young volunteers. Psychopharmacology 179, 437–446 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-2206-6
[7] Springer - Kennedy, D., Scholey, A. & Wesnes, K. The dose-dependent cognitive effects of acute administration of Ginkgo biloba to healthy young volunteers. Psychopharmacology 151, 416–423 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130000501
