health guides
Ginkgo
© Steven FosterParts Used & Where Grown
Ginkgo biloba is the world’s oldest living species of tree. Individual trees live as long as 1,000 years. Ginkgo grows most predominantly in the southern and eastern United States, southern France, China, and Korea. The leaves of the tree are used in modern herbal medicine.
- Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
- Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
- For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:
| Used for | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Age-Related Cognitive Decline | 120 to 160 mg daily |  [3 stars] Most, but not all, clinical trials have found this herb to be a safe and effective treatment for ARCD.
|
Glaucoma | 120 mg daily of a standardised herbal extract | [3 stars] In cases of normal tension glaucoma; ginkgo may help improve vision. |
Intermittent Claudication | 120 to 160 mg daily | [3 stars] Studies have reported that people with intermittent claudication see improvements in pain-free walking distance when supplementing with ginkgo. |
Altitude Sickness | 80 mg twice a day |  [2 stars] In a double-blind study of 44 people ascending to an elevation of 5,400 meters, none of those who received Ginkgo biloba extract developed altitude sickness, whereas 41% of those receiving a placebo did. |
Alzheimer’s Disease | 120 to 240 mg of a standardised herbal extract daily | [2 stars] Ginkgo biloba extract is an approved treatment for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease in Europe. It is thought to improve memory and quality of life and slow early disease progression.
|
Depression | 240 mg daily | [2 stars] Ginkgo may alleviate depression in elderly people not responding to anti-depressant drugs. |
Erectile Dysfunction | 60 to 240 mg daily | [2 stars] The herb Ginkgo appears to increase blood flow to the penis. |
Macular Degeneration | 120 to 240 mg daily of a standardised herbal extract | [2 stars] Taking ginkgo may help treat early stage macular degeneration. |
Tardive Dyskinesia | 240 mg daily | [2 stars] Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 improved symptoms of tardive dyskinesia by about 30% in schizophrenic patients. |
Vertigo | 120 to 160 mg a day of a standardised herbal extract | [2 stars] Taking ginkgo may help reduce symptoms. |
Vitiligo | 120 mg daily of a standardised extract | [2 stars] Taking ginkgo may help improve re-pigmentation of skin. |
Asthma | Refer to label instructions |  [1 star] Supplementing with the herb Ginkgo biloba may improve asthma, as its extracts block the action of a compound that contributes to asthma symptoms.
|
Atherosclerosis | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] The herb Ginkgo biloba may reduce atherosclerosis risk by stopping platelets from sticking together too much. It also increases blood circulation to the brain, arms, and legs.
|
Memory Enhancement | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Ginkgo may enhance cognitive performance in healthy older adults as well as people experiencing cognitive decline. |
Ménière’s Disease | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Ginkgo has been reported to reduce symptoms of tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss due to unspecified inner ear disorders. |
Migraine Headache | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Ginkgo extract may also help because it inhibits the action of a substance known as platelet-activating factor, which may contribute to migraines. |
Multiple Sclerosis | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Inflammation of nerve tissue is partly responsible for the breakdown of myelin in people with MS. In one study, people with MS showed improvement after being given injections of a constituent of ginkgo. |
Premenstrual Syndrome | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Standardised herbal Ginkgo extract has been shown to alleviate PMS symptoms. |
Raynaud’s Disease | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] The herb Ginkgo has been reported to improve the circulation in small blood vessels and reduce pain in people with Raynaud’s disease. |
Retinopathy | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Using a standardised extract of ginkgo has been reported to improve visual function in people with mild diabetic retinopathy. |
Tinnitus | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] The herb ginkgo may be useful in treating tinnitus. |
Type 1 Diabetes | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Ginkgo may improve metabolism and help prevent complications of type 1 diabetes. |
Type 2 Diabetes | 120 mg daily | [1 star] Ginkgo may improve the efficacy of commonly used anti-diabetes medications. It also appears to help prevent and treat type 2 diabetes-related complications. |
Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)
Medicinal use of ginkgo can be traced back almost 5,000 years in Chinese herbal medicine. The nuts of the tree were most commonly recommended and used to treat respiratory tract ailments. The use of the leaves is a modern development originating in Europe.
Copyright © 2024 TraceGains, Inc. All rights reserved.
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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2024.
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