Synonyms/Common Names/Related Substances:

• Adiantifolia, AKL1, arbre aux quarante écus (French), ArginMax®, bai guo ye, baiguo, BioGinkgo®, Blackmores Ginkgo Brahmi (Bacopa monniera), BN-52063, duck foot tree, EGb, EGb 761, Elefantenohr (German), eun-haeng (Korean), Fächerblattbaum, fossil tree, GBE, GBE 24, GBX, ginan, Gincosan®, Ginexin Remind®, gingko, Gingopret®, Ginkai®, ginkgo balm, Ginkgo biloba Blätter (German), Ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharides (GBEP), Ginkgo folium, Ginkgo Go®, Ginkgo Phytosome®, Ginkgo Powder®, Ginkgoaceae (family), Ginkgoblätter (German), ginkgogink, Ginkgold®, ginkgopower, Ginkopur®, ginkyo, gin-nan (Japanese), Herbal vX®, icho (Japanese), ityo, Japanbaum (German), Japanese silver apricot, kew tree, kung sun shu, LI 1370, maidenhair tree, noyer du Japon (French), Oriental plum tree, pei kuo, pei-wen, Pterophyllus, Pterophyllus salisburiensis, Rö Kan®, Rökan, Rokan, salisburia, Salisburia adiantifolia, Salisburia macrophylla, Seredin, Seredrin®, silver apricot, sophium, Tanakan®, tanakene, tebofortan, Tebonin®, tempeltrae, temple balm, tramisal, valverde, vasan, vital, ya chio, yin-guo, yin-hsing (Chinese).

Clinical Bottom Line/Effectiveness

Brief Background:

• Ginkgo biloba has been used medicinally for thousands of years. According to secondary sources, Ginkgo is one of the top selling herbs in the United States.
• Ginkgo is used for the treatment of numerous conditions, many of which are under scientific investigation (1). Available evidence demonstrates Ginkgo's efficacy in the management of intermittent claudication, Alzheimer's/multi-infarct dementia, and "cerebral insufficiency" (a syndrome thought to be secondary to atherosclerotic disease, characterized by impaired concentration, confusion, decreased physical performance, fatigue, headache, dizziness, depression, and anxiety).
• Although not definitive, there is promising early evidence favoring use of Ginkgo for memory enhancement in healthy subjects (2), altitude (mountain) sickness, symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), age-related eye disorders (3), and reduction of chemotherapy-induced end-organ vascular damage.
• Although Ginkgo is generally well tolerated, it should be used cautiously in patients on anticoagulant therapy and those with known coagulopathy, or prior to some surgical or dental procedures, due to multiple case reports of bleeding.

Dosing/Toxicology

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Precautions/Contraindications

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Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

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Mechanism of Action

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History

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Evidence Table

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Evidence Discussion

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Products Studied

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Author Information

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References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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