A tree native to China, ginkgo biloba has been grown for millennia. Sometimes referred to as a living fossil, this tree is the only surviving member of an ancient order of plants that has a variety of uses.

Traditional Chinese medicine focuses on its leaves and seeds, while modern research is primarily centered on its extract, which is taken from its leaves.

Ginkgo supplements have been found to be beneficial for the brain function and blood circulation. Below are some of the benefits it may provide.

1. Improves heart health and circulation

Ginkgo seeds were traditionally used in Chinese medicine to open “channels” of energy to various organs in the body, including the brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

The plant’s supposed benefits may stem from its ability to increase blood flow to the different parts of the body.

A study in people with heart disease who tried ginkgo supplementation reported an immediate increase in blood flow to the different parts of the body, which has been attributed to a 12% increase in levels of circulating nitric oxide—a compound that causes blood vessels to stimulate the release of certain hormones, including growth hormone and insulin.

The same result has been observed in another study in older adults administered with ginkgo extract.

Additional research has also demonstrated the plant’s protective effects on stroke prevention, brain health, and heart health, which may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory compound content.

Further research is however necessary to fully elucidate its effects on heart and brain health and circulation.

2. Reduces psychiatric disorders and dementia symptoms

Ginkgo has always been repeatedly studied to help reduce stress, anxiety, and other symptoms linked to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

Study results in this area are however inconsistent and unreliable.

Some studies found that ginkgo has reduced the rate of cognitive decline in people with dementia, but others do not have similar results.

A 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that ginkgo extract may improve functional capabilities in people with mild Alzheimer’s when used in conjunction with conventional medicine.

Another review evaluating 4 studies reported that when ginkgo was used for 22–24 weeks, they observed a significant reduction in a spectrum of symptoms linked to dementia.

These positive effects may be attributed to the plant’s ability to improve blood flow to the brain.

Although recent research is starting to clarify ginkgo’s role in treating dementia, it’s still too soon to confirm its effectiveness in treating the said disorder.

3. Helps fight inflammation

Inflammation is part of the natural response of your body to injury or invasion by any harmful irritant, such as viruses and bacteria.

The purpose of the inflammatory response is to localize and eliminate the harmful irritant and remove damaged tissue components to heal the injured area.

Even without the presence of illness or injury, some chronic diseases can activate an inflammatory response, causing permanent damage to the body’s tissues and DNA over time.

Ginkgo extract has been shown in test-tube and animal research to decrease inflammation markers in both human and animal cells in different disease states.

It has been found to reduce inflammation in some specific conditions, including arthritis, heart disease, stroke, irritable bowel disease (IBD), and cancer.

Although the data is promising, further human studies are needed to make concrete conclusions about the plant’s role in treating complex diseases.

4. Contains potent antioxidants

Ginkgo’s antioxidant content may be attributed to the majority of its health claims. The plant contains significant amounts of terpenoids and flavonoids, which are known for their robust antioxidant effects.

Antioxidants are molecules that combat or neutralize the destructive effects of free radicals, which are compounds produced in the body during normal metabolic functions, such as detoxification or converting food to energy.

Free radicals are highly reactive particles that are linked to multiple illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. What’s more, they may also damage healthy tissues, which can contribute to disease development and accelerated aging.

Although research on the plant’s antioxidant effects is encouraging, it is still unclear exactly how it works and how effective it can be at treating certain diseases.

5. Improves brain function and well-being

Ginkgo supplementation may also have the ability to improve mental performance and perceived well-being in healthy individuals. Several small studies have supported this notion.

Study results have given rise to claims linking this plant to improved focus, attention span, and memory.

However, a large review of research suggested that ginkgo supplementation did not cause any measurable improvements in attention capacity and memory.

Thus, there are no guarantees that ginkgo supplementation may improve mental capability.

6. Supports vision and eye health

Very little research investigating the effects of ginkgo biloba extract on vision and eye health has been conducted; however, early results are encouraging.

A 2018 review in people with glaucoma who tried ginkgo supplementation observed an increased ocular blood flow; however, data on visual field results are inadequate.

Another review of two studies evaluating ginkgo extract’s effect on the progression of age-related macular degeneration found that some participants experienced an improved vision—although it wasn’t statistically significant across the board.

Majority of the encouraging results may be attributed to increased blood flow to the eye. It is yet unknown whether or not ginkgo can help improve vision in people who are not suffering from vision impairment.

Further research is necessary to fully determine whether this plant can slow the progression of degenerative eye disease or increase vision capacity.

7. Can treat migraines and headaches

Ginkgo is popular in traditional Chinese medicine as treatment for headaches and migraines.

Although little research is available on the plant’s ability to treat headaches, it may help depending on the root cause of the headache.

For example, considering that ginkgo has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, the plant may be helpful to a headache or migraine if it stems from excessive stress.

In addition, the plant’s ability to dilate blood vessels may improve symptoms of a headache related to constricted blood vessels or reduced blood flow.

On the other hand, the plant may have little to no effect on some migraines stemming from excessive dilation of blood vessels.

Using ginkgo for your migraines is unlikely to cause much harm; however, also note that it may not necessarily help.

8. Can help reduce anxiety

Ginkgo supplementation may also help reduce anxiety symptoms.

Numerous animal studies observed reductions in symptoms of anxiety that may be stemming from ginkgo’s antioxidant content.

One study in individuals with generalized anxiety treated with either 240 mg or 480 mg of ginkgo or a placebo found that the group treated with the highest dose of ginkgo experienced a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms by 45% than those in the placebo group.

Although the plant may reduce symptoms of anxiety, it’s too early to make any conclusions based on the available research; further human studies are necessary.

9. Can help treat depression

A review of animal studies found that ginkgo supplementation may help treat symptoms of depression.

Mice administered with ginkgo supplement prior to an unavoidable stressful situation were less emotionally affected by the stress as compared with the group that were not administered with the supplement.

Ginkgo’s anti-inflammatory properties improve the ability of the body to cope when hormone levels of stress are high, thus the positive study effect.

Being a complex condition, depression may stem from various root causes. Further research is necessary to fully elucidate the relationship between ginkgo and depression in humans.

10. Can improve asthma and COPD symptoms

Some research suggests that the plant may also improve symptoms of inflammatory respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD.

Ginkgo contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may allow for increased lung capacity and reduced inflammation of the airways, thus its encouraging effects on inflammatory respiratory diseases.

A study in 75 people with asthma examining the use of ginkgo extract combined with glucocorticosteroid medication therapy found that the inflammatory compound levels in the saliva of those administered with ginkgo were significantly lower as compared with those who received the traditional medication alone.

In addition, another study in 100 people with COPD evaluating the use of a mixture of Chinese herbs, which contained ginkgo, found that those who used the herbal formula experienced a significant reduction in bronchitis and cough at a 3-month follow-up than those in the control group.

While the study results are promising, it still cannot be determined whether the improvement can be attributed to the plant alone, or it’s the synergistic effect of the other herbs used in the formula.

Further research on the matter is highly necessary.

11. Improves sexual dysfunction

Being able to improve circulation via the dilation of blood vessels, ginkgo has been suggested to also treat sexual dysfunction, such as low libido or erectile dysfunction. It improves blood flow to those areas of the body as well.

However, some research investigating the use of ginkgo for sexual dysfunction stemming from the use of antidepressant drugs (SSRIs) found that ginkgo was not any more effective compared to the placebo in these cases. There might be an interaction between the SSRI medications and ginkgo, rendering them less effective.

In addition, a study evaluating the use of ginkgo to improve sexual desire and contentment in women undergoing sexual psychotherapy found that ginkgo combined with therapy was effective over a longer term than the placebo; however, ginkgo supplementation alone was not.

Although the rationale for using ginkgo for sexual dysfunction makes sense, research does not support it.

12. May help lessen PMS symptoms

Ginkgo has been found in preliminary research to help improve both the psychological and physical symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

One study in 85 college students who took ginkgo supplementation observed a 23% reduction in PMS symptoms.

The placebo group in the same study also experienced an 8.8% reduction in PMS symptoms, which is slightly lower than the ginkgo group.

More research is necessary to fully elucidate ginkgo’s effect on PMS symptoms.

Ginkgo biloba’s potential side effects

Although ginkgo is thought to have some benefits, talking to your doctor before taking it as a supplement is highly important.

The risk associated with taking ginkgo supplement in most adults is relatively low, but it can sometimes cause serious side effects.

Individuals taking certain medications or those who are allergic to plants containing alkylphenols should avoid taking ginkgo supplement.

Possible side effects of taking ginkgo include nausea, dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, stomach pain, and rash/allergic reaction.

Moreover, it also has the potential to unfavorably interact with certain medications, including blood thinners (Warfarin, aspirin); NSAIDS (ibuprofen, Tylenol); and SSRIs/MAOIs/antidepressants (Prozac, Zoloft).

Supplement forms and dosage

Ginkgo biloba is commercially available in tablets, capsules, liquid extracts, and dried leaves/tea.

Raw ginkgo seeds are poisonous; you might want to avoid eating them. Most of the current research uses purified ginkgo extract.

Although no standardized dosing was used in studies on ginkgo, evidence seems to support the safety of taking a total of 120–240 mg throughout the day.

Starting with a lower dose and eventually working your way up is always a great idea to ensure tolerance. No maximum dosage has been clearly defined though.

Most research does not exceed doses > 600 mg per day, so taking beyond this dose is probably not a good idea.

Conclusion

Containing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities and having the ability to improve circulation, ginkgo biloba has the potential to affect numerous diseases and body systems, although further research is necessary before making definite conclusions.

Although the plant has been used for centuries, how it actually works is yet unknown. It is noteworthy that some of the research available has inconsistent results.

Herbal supplements are almost always associated with several benefits and risks. If you are taking certain medications or you are allergic to plants containing alkylphenols, taking ginkgo supplement could cause serious health complications as well.

If you want to include ginkgo supplement in your regimen, make sure you speak with your doctor first.