Health Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Today, it is one of the top selling herbs in North America.

Ginkgo Biloba is used for the treatment of numerous conditions. 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).

There is promising early evidence favoring the use of Ginkgo Biloba for memory enhancement in healthy subjects, altitude (mountain) sickness, symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and reduction of chemotherapy-induced end-organ vascular damage.

Dosage

Adults (18 years and older) 80 to 240 milligrams of a 50:1 standardized leaf extract taken daily by mouth in 2 to 3 divided doses has been used and studied.

Children (younger than 18 years) There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend use of ginkgo in children.

Use of ginkgo is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of reliable scientific study in this area. The risk of bleeding associated with ginkgo may be dangerous during pregnancy.