herb

Ginkgo Biloba

Also known as Ginkgo

Extract standardised for flavonoid glycosides and terpene lactones from one of the oldest living tree species; proposed to improve cerebral blood flow and act as an antioxidant, studied for cognitive symptoms and tinnitus.

Reported side effects:Headache, common (affecting more than 1 in 10 people; EMA HMPC Ginkgo leaf monograph)Dizziness and gastrointestinal symptoms; NIH NCCIH lists dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, and headache as the most common side effects of ginkgo leaf extract

Be careful if: certain health conditions, some medical situations, pregnant, breastfeeding

Ask first if you take: blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelets)

Suspect a side effect? Report it to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme ↗

2linked conditions

12linked studies

On this pageWhat studies found Safety Evidence Availability Outcomes & conditions →

Evidence

What the research actually shows

We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.

What studies found

The headline results, condition by condition

The large figures are what the studies reported for each thing they measured. Open a card for every result.

Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.

Cognitive Function

4 of 8 results reported a benefit

2 studies, including a review of trials

Overall thinking skills2.86lower, unit not reported1 review of trials2015 study ↗
New Alzheimer's disease casesNo clear difference16% higher rate1 randomised trial2008 study ↗
New dementia casesNo clear difference12% higher rate1 randomised trial0 of 2 results reported a benefit2008 study ↗

No figure given: Thinking outcomes (general) (unclear).

Also measured alongside: Daily living abilities (reported a benefit); Doctor-rated overall change (reported a benefit); Combined dementia outcomes (reported a benefit).

Every result

Safety

Safety and considerations

What sources report about side effects, who should be careful, and medicines to ask about first.

Reported side effects

Reported effect	How often	Basis	Sources
Headache, common (affecting more than 1 in 10 people; EMA HMPC Ginkgo leaf monograph)	very common	Listed by EMA HMPC herbal monographs	European Union herbal monograph on Ginkgo folium (EMA/HMPC/321247/2012 Rev.1, EMA herbal-medicine overview)
Dizziness and gastrointestinal symptoms; NIH NCCIH lists dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, and headache as the most common side effects of ginkgo leaf extract	unknown	Listed by NIH ODS fact sheets	NIH (NCCIH) health information page: Ginkgo - Usefulness and Safety

Serious effects reported

Reported effect	How often	Basis	Sources
Bleeding events: cases of bleeding at various sites including eye, nose, brain and gastrointestinal tract have been reported with ginkgo (frequency not known; EMA HMPC). A systematic review of published case reports (PMID 16050865) found 15 reports temporally associated with bleeding, including 8 intracranial episodes, and concluded a possible causal association, counselling patients with known bleeding risks. In contrast, a meta-analysis of 18 RCTs (1,985 adults) of standardised ginkgo leaf extract (PMID 21923430) found no significant effect on platelet aggregation, fibrinogen, aPTT or prothrombin time and did not indicate a higher bleeding risk on hemostasis outcomes.	unknown	Listed by EMA HMPC herbal monographs (PubMed 16050865, 21923430)sources differ — under review	European Union herbal monograph on Ginkgo folium (EMA/HMPC/321247/2012 Rev.1, EMA herbal-medicine overview)Bent S, Goldberg H, Padula A, Avins AL. Spontaneous bleeding associated with ginkgo biloba: a case report and systematic review of the literature. J Gen Intern Med 2005;20(7):657-61 (PMID 16050865)Kellermann AJ, Kloft C. Is there a risk of bleeding associated with standardized Ginkgo biloba extract therapy? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmacotherapy 2011;31(5):490-502 (PMID 21923430)

Be careful if you…

Applies to	What sources say	Sources
certain health conditions	Patients with bleeding tendency (haemorrhagic diathesis) should only use after consulting a doctor (EMA HMPC). NIH NCCIH: ginkgo may increase the risk of bleeding in people taking anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin.	European Union herbal monograph on Ginkgo folium (EMA/HMPC/321247/2012 Rev.1, EMA herbal-medicine overview)NIH (NCCIH) health information page: Ginkgo - Usefulness and Safety
some medical situations	Tell your doctor or herbal practitioner if you are due to have an operation (EMA HMPC).	European Union herbal monograph on Ginkgo folium (EMA/HMPC/321247/2012 Rev.1, EMA herbal-medicine overview)
pregnant	EMA HMPC: not recommended during pregnancy. NIH NCCIH: ginkgo may be unsafe during pregnancy - it might cause early labour or extra bleeding during delivery if used near that time.	European Union herbal monograph on Ginkgo folium (EMA/HMPC/321247/2012 Rev.1, EMA herbal-medicine overview)NIH (NCCIH) health information page: Ginkgo - Usefulness and Safety
breastfeeding	EMA HMPC: not recommended during lactation. NIH NCCIH: little is known about ginkgo use while breastfeeding.	European Union herbal monograph on Ginkgo folium (EMA/HMPC/321247/2012 Rev.1, EMA herbal-medicine overview)NIH (NCCIH) health information page: Ginkgo - Usefulness and Safety
some medical situations	Fresh ginkgo seeds are toxic when consumed orally, and serious side effects have occurred in people who consumed roasted ginkgo seeds or the crude ginkgo plant (NIH NCCIH).	NIH (NCCIH) health information page: Ginkgo - Usefulness and Safety

Medicines to ask about

Severity	Medicine	Sources
ask first	blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelets) — NIH NCCIH: ginkgo may increase the risk of bleeding in people taking anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin; ginkgo may also interact with other drugs. EMA HMPC: if medicines affecting blood platelets/aggregation or blood clotting are used, ginkgo should only be used after consulting a doctor.	NIH (NCCIH) health information page: Ginkgo - Usefulness and Safety European Union herbal monograph on Ginkgo folium (EMA/HMPC/321247/2012 Rev.1, EMA herbal-medicine overview)

How much is too much

Stacking flags: blood thinning

Sources

European Union herbal monograph on Ginkgo folium (EMA/HMPC/321247/2012 Rev.1, EMA herbal-medicine overview)NIH (NCCIH) health information page: Ginkgo - Usefulness and Safety Bent S, Goldberg H, Padula A, Avins AL. Spontaneous bleeding associated with ginkgo biloba: a case report and systematic review of the literature. J Gen Intern Med 2005;20(7):657-61 (PMID 16050865)Kellermann AJ, Kloft C. Is there a risk of bleeding associated with standardized Ginkgo biloba extract therapy? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmacotherapy 2011;31(5):490-502 (PMID 21923430)

Evidence analytics

Where the evidence is concentrated

Audited published research for Ginkgo Biloba by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.

Published research

Ginkgo Biloba: findings by condition

What this means: Bars count reported findings, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.

One study may report several findings or appear in more than one pairing. Counts do not show the size of an effect. Comparable numerical estimates are not established for this summary.

View the full data table

Published research: reported directions by pairing
Compound and condition	Findings (count)	Studies (count)	Reported results (finding counts)	How sure?
Cognitive Function	8	2	Benefit: 4; no benefit: 3; harm: 0; unclear: 1; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded

Suggested uses (unproven)

Where people report using it and what trials suggest

Moderate evidenceIntermittent claudication walking distance
Weak evidenceTinnitus

Where the evidence is negative

Common claims the trials do not support

GEM study (n=3,069, 6 years): no reduction in dementia/cognitive decline.
Guidelines explicitly advise against ginkgo for dementia prevention or tinnitus.
No benefit for memory in healthy adults across trials.

Once-popular cognition herb decisively contradicted by large prevention trials; the clearest 'negative finding' entry in the seed set.

Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.

12studies referenced

11journals

2008–2026publication range

Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.

01Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementiaWieland LS, et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2026PMID 41641880 ↗02Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 is safe and effective in the treatment of mild dementia - a meta-analysis of patient subgroups in randomised controlled trialsRiepe M, et al. · The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry · 2025PMID 39895346 ↗03Efficiency of Different Supplements in Alleviating Symptoms of ADHD with or Without the Use of Stimulants: A Systematic ReviewAl Shahab S, et al. · Nutrients · 2025PMID 40362791 ↗04Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic reviewLorca C, et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition · 2023PMID 34978226 ↗05Dietary Flavonoids and Human Cognition: A Meta-AnalysisCheng N, et al. · Molecular nutrition & food research · 2022PMID 35333451 ↗06Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysisTan MS, et al. · Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD · 2015PMID 25114079 ↗

Show all 12 studies

07DementiaButler R, et al. · BMJ clinical evidence · 2012PMID 23870856 ↗08Effects of Ginkgo biloba in dementia: systematic review and meta-analysisWeinmann S, et al. · BMC geriatrics · 2010PMID 20236541 ↗09DementiaWarner JP, et al. · BMJ clinical evidence · 2010PMID 21726471 ↗10Effects of a food supplement containing phosphatidylserine on cognitive function in Chinese older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trialDuan H, et al. · Journal of affective disorders · 2025PMID 39317299 ↗11A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Cistanche tubulosa and Ginkgo biloba extracts for the improvement of cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly peopleChen L, et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2024PMID 38972848 ↗12Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trialDeKosky ST, et al. · JAMA · 2008PMID 19017911 ↗

Search PubMed ↗View on PubChem ↗Find clinical trials ↗

Published research results

Reported results grouped by condition. Values and units are preserved as recorded; missing information is not estimated.

How to read this table

Benefit: What the trial saw happen: whether the measured outcome moved in the helpful direction in that one study (the tag on each row: “Benefit seen”, “No clear benefit”, “Possible harm” or “Unclear”). It is a study result — not advice, and not a promise it will work for you.
Evidence: Study design describes how research was conducted. It is not a formal certainty assessment.
Effect size: The result recorded in this summary. “Not reported” means the value is missing from the summary; it does not establish that the publication omitted it.

Reported direction, numerical results and study design are separate. Certainty has not been formally graded in this table.

Cognitive Function (8 outcomes)

Published research: Cognitive Function
What was measured	Reported findings	Result and units	Reported sample and duration	Study / source
Activities of daily living (ADLs)	EGb761 improved activities of daily living by -0.36 versus placebo over 22-26 weeks. (95%CI -0.44; -0.28)Benefit seen	-0.36 Recorded unit: Not reported	Sample (as reported): 2,561 Follow-up: 22-26 weeks	Meta-analysis · 2015 Study details Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Meta-Analysis PMID 25114079
Clinicians' Global Impression of Change (CGIC)	EGb761 showed significantly better Clinicians' Global Impression of Change than placebo (OR 1.88). (95%CI 1.54; 2.29)Benefit seen	1.88 Recorded unit: Not reported	Sample (as reported): 2,561 Follow-up: 22-26 weeks	Meta-analysis · 2015 Study details Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Meta-Analysis PMID 25114079
Cognition (change score)	EGb761 improved cognition scores by -2.86 versus placebo over 22-26 weeks in 2,561 patients. (95%CI -3.18; -2.54)Benefit seen	-2.86 Recorded unit: Not reported	Sample (as reported): 2,561 Follow-up: 22-26 weeks	Meta-analysis · 2015 Study details Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Meta-Analysis PMID 25114079
Cognition, ADLs, CGIC and neuropsychiatric symptoms (neuropsychiatric subgroup)	In patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms, EGb761 showed greater benefit versus placebo than the whole group.Benefit seen	Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported	Sample (as reported): Not reported Follow-up: 22-26 weeks	Meta-analysis · 2015 Study details Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Meta-Analysis PMID 25114079
Cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer's disease subgroup	In the Alzheimer's disease subgroup, EGb761 showed no statistical superiority over placebo beyond the overall effect.Unclear	Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported	Sample (as reported): Not reported Follow-up: 22-26 weeks	Meta-analysis · 2015 Study details Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Meta-Analysis PMID 25114079
All-cause dementia	Ginkgo did not reduce dementia compared to placebo; the hazard ratio was 1.12. (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-1.33; P = .21)No clear benefit	1.12 hazard ratio Recorded unit: Not reported	Sample (as reported): Not reported Follow-up: 6.1 years	Randomised trial · 2008 Study details Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trial. Randomized Controlled Trial PMID 19017911
Alzheimer disease	Ginkgo did not reduce Alzheimer disease compared to placebo; the hazard ratio was 1.16. (95% CI, 0.97-1.39; P = .11)No clear benefit	1.16 hazard ratio Recorded unit: Not reported	Sample (as reported): Not reported Follow-up: 6.1 years	Randomised trial · 2008 Study details Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trial. Randomized Controlled Trial PMID 19017911
Progression to dementia with mild cognitive impairment	Ginkgo did not reduce progression to dementia compared to placebo among participants with mild cognitive impairment; the hazard ratio was 1.13. (95% CI, 0.85-1.50; P = .39)No clear benefit	1.13 hazard ratio Recorded unit: Not reported	Sample (as reported): 482 Follow-up: 6.1 years	Randomised trial · 2008 Study details Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trial. Randomized Controlled Trial PMID 19017911

Important: This page reflects observational, aggregate-only community reporting and independent published research. It is not medical advice, and it does not claim any compound treats, cures, or is effective for any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or treatment.

Outcomes & conditions

Why people look into Ginkgo Biloba — and what they report

Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.

Outcomes & conditions →

Availability

Where to get Ginkgo Biloba (UK)

How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.

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