Ginkgo memory adhd blood pressure tinnitus vision and eyesight herb dosage, how much to take, toxicity, danger
January 13 2017

How does Ginkgo baloba work for memory?
The active ingredients in gingko baloba are believed to have their beneficial effects on memory, blood pressure and other functions by acting as antioxidants, preventing red blood cells and platelets from aggregating to form clots, allowing more oxygen to reach neurons, and improving circulation in tiny blood vessels by inducing relaxation of the muscles surrounding blood vessels.

Vision and eyesight improvement
Even circulation to the eyes improves when subjects are given ginkgo. If you wish to improve eyesight. Ginkgo supplements given to older individuals improved the functioning of the visual system leading to better processing of visual input.

Memory and mental function
It is unlikely that those with normal memory function will notice a significant effect from ginkgo herb.

Age related memory loss and cognitive decline
Ginkgo extracts are among the most widely studied and prescribed drugs in Europe to alleviate symptoms associated with a wide range of conditions. The main indications for these extracts are peripheral vascular disease and the therapy of age related cognitive decline. Ginkgo is a mind booster underutilized by the medical profession. Additional brain nutrients to consider include Carnosine nutrient, CDP-Choline nutrient, and DMAE.Patients with dementia are helped by ginkgo herb.

purchase Ginkgo memory herb, 60 mg

Ginkgo memory herb 50:1 is standardized at 24% ginkgoflavonglycosides and a minimum of 6% terpene lactones.

Supplement Facts:
Ginkgo memory herb extract 60 mg (50:1 Standardized Extract)


Q. Is a ginkgo dosage of 120 mg a day okay to take for long periods?
A. We prefer to use no more than 40 mg dosage daily with a week off each month.

Clinical Uses of ginkgo plant
The primary indications for ginkgo biloba are age related cognitive decline (ARCD) and Alzheimer’s disease. Age related cognitive decline is a term that describes a collection of symptoms. These include difficulty in concentration and memory, absent-mindedness, confusion, lack of mental energy, and sometimes, depressive mood. Some of these symptoms may be associated with not enough blood reaching the brain, hence a potential justification for the use of gingko in lessening these symptoms. Ginkgo improves communication between nerve cells and enhances blood flow to the brain. It is licensed in Germany for the treatment of ARCD. Ginkgo may have promise in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s when used together with other conventional medicines. A well publicized study in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicated that 120 mg of ginkgo extract per day for one year was able to slightly improve cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Ginkgo plant may show a beneficial effect on attention, memory and functioning in Multiple Sclerosis patients.

The role of ginkgo biloba in tinnitus treatment is still being evaluated.

What’s in Ginkgo plant?
It contains many different substances but most of them fall into two main categories: Terpenoid lactones and Flavonoids. The most unique components of ginkgo leaf extracts are the terpene trilactones which are structurally complex molecules. Terpene lactones give ginkgo a bitter and strong flavor. The most important terpenes are the ginkgolides and bilobides. Ginkgolides have not yet been found in any other living plant species. Other compounds in ginkgo biloba include proanthocyanidins, carboxylic acids and non-flavone glycosides. Flavonoids are natural substances that are also found in fruits and vegetables. Flavonoids act as antioxidants, have an influence on the immune system, and interfere with tumor formation. Ginkgo contains many flavonoids but the most concentrated are kaempferol, Quercetin, and isorhamnetin. Most ginkgo products on the market list a flavonoid concentration of 24%. You will often see 24% printed on packages or bottles of ginkgo plant.

Summary and review of studies
Ginkgo supplements given to older individuals improve the functioning of the visual system leading to better processing of visual input. Ginkgo supplements given to patients with dementia, or mental decline improve quality of life and enhance positive mood. When given to rodents before a stressful event leads to a better ability to adapt to stress. 

Ginkgo Improves Blood Flow to the Eyes
Individuals with diabetes mellitus have problems with circulation and increased clotting tendencies, particularly in small blood vessels. This can sometimes lead to poor vision due to small clots that form in the retina of the eye. In a recent study done in Taiwan, ginkgo biloba was given to type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with eye problems (retinopathy). After taking ginkgo biloba orally for 3 months, the tendency for blood to clot was significantly reduced, red blood cells became more flexible, and blood flow to the retina of the eye was increased. When red blood cells become more flexible, they are able to squeeze through and maneuver easier through tiny blood vessels called capillaries and thus bring more oxygen to tissues and cells.
Comments: It’s difficult to know how much ginkgo biloba to take, but it appears that 40 mg daily is a good option. If you are taking aspirin or other blood thinners, consult with your doctor to make sure you are not thinning your blood too much. Ginkgo is best taken in the morning or midday. Sometimes it can cause shallow sleep if taken late in the evening.

Ginkgo Good For Vision, Dementia, and Stress
In the second study, ginkgo supplements were given to patients with dementia, or mental decline. The herb led to improved quality of life and positive mood. The third study was done in rats. Ginkgo supplements given before a stressful event led to a better ability to adapt to stress and protected the rats from mental deficits. There are no accepted standards for how often ginkgo should be used. Just to be safe, a 40 mg extract once daily is a good option, or perhaps twice daily.

Ginkgo biloba dosage
The majority of the studies done thus far with ginkgo herb have used daily dosages of 120 to 160 mg (50:1 concentration, 24% flavonoids). Patients generally took a ginkgo biloba dosage of 40 milligrams three to four times a day. Treatment may be needed for a few weeks before positive results can be fully appreciated. Most manufacturers have ginkgo herb pills that contain 40 or 60 mg of ginkgo.
You may wish to start with one 40 mg pill a day to see if there is any improvement in memory or thinking. Ginkgo herb is best taken early in the day, and no later than afternoon.

Ginkgo plant side effects
Mild stomach or intestinal complaints, headache, and allergic skin reactions have been reported. Rare cases of seizures have been mentioned in the media in very old individuals taking ginkgo.
There have been rare mentions of internal bleeding when ginkgo was combined with other blood thinners such as aspirin or coumadin (and even ibuprofen). Ginkgo has anti-platelet activity and hence may prolong the time it takes to form a blood clot. However, a study published in April, 2003 indicates that Coenzyme Q10 and Ginkgo biloba do not influence the clinical effect of warfarin. An additional study did not find ginkgo to alter platelet function or coagulation time. Seizure occurence is a possibility

Ginkgo Plant Research
Extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves reverses yohimbine-induced spatial working memory deficit in rats.
Behav Pharmacol. 2005.
Extract of Ginkgo biloba is used to alleviate age-related decline in cognitive function, which may be associated with the loss of catecholamines in the prefrontal cortex. The purpose of this study was to verify whether alpha-2 adrenergic activity is involved in the facilitative effects of extract of Ginkgo biloba on prefrontal cognitive function. Male Wistar rats were trained to reach criterion in the delayed alternation task. A pilot study found that 3 or 4 mg/kg of yohimbine (intraperitoneal) reduced the choice accuracy of the delayed alternation task in a dose and delay-dependent manner, without influencing motor ability or perseverative behaviour. Acute oral pre-treatment with doses of 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg (but not 25 mg/kg) of extract of Ginkgo biloba prevented the reduction in choice accuracy induced by 4 mg/kg yohimbine. These data suggest that the prefrontal cognition-enhancing effects of extract of Ginkgo biloba are related to its actions on alpha-2-adrenoceptors.

Ginkgo biloba Compared with Cholinesterase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Dementia: A Review Based on Meta-Analyses by the Cochrane Collaboration.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.
Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2004.
Data were derived from the Cochrane Collaboration meta-analyses of the efficacies of ginkgo, donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine on changes in cognitive function in patients with dementia and, where necessary, were transformed to standardized mean differences. The proportion of patients discontinuing trials was used as a proxy measure of tolerability. Outcomes were assessed after 6 months of treatment. Trial data for cholinesterase inhibitors were more consistent than those for ginkgo, particularly regarding patient populations and outcome measures. Significant benefits on cognition vs. placebo were seen with donepezil, 5 and 10 mg, rivastigmine, 6-12 mg, and galantamine, 16 and 24 mg. Significant benefit vs. placebo with ginkgo was seen only when all doses were pooled. Similar proportions of patients discontinued treatment with ginkgo bilbo and placebo. Cholinesterase inhibitors were also well tolerated, although a significantly greater proportion of patients receiving active treatment discontinued vs. placebo with some doses. An evidence-based medicine approach, taking into account the quality of clinical trials, is essential when assessing the safety and efficacy of medications.

Ginkgo Biloba Extends Life?
If you or a loved one are age 65 or older, you might be interested in hearing about a French study which revealed that older people who take ginkgo biloba may live longer. Dr. Jean-Francois Dartigues at the University of Bordeaux followed a group of 3,534 men and women 65 and older for over a period of 13 years. Those who used ginkgo were 24 percent less likely to die during that period than those who did not take the supplement. Ginkgo biloba extract has been sold in France for more than three decades. At the start of the study, six percent of the participants were taking ginkgo biloba extract. Although it had no effect on the likelihood of developing dementia, the researchers found that the herb had a significant effect on mortality risk. While taking ginkgo isn’t certain to help you live longer, it has many other benefits that make it a worthwhile supplement to try. For instance, gingko acts as a blood thinner, which helps improve circulation. It also has many beneficial flavonoids – a group of antioxidants. Gingko has also been show to help improve brain function. Taking 20 mg to 60 mg of gingko biloba extract with breakfast a few times a week could make your mind and body healthier.


Q. Does ginkgo biloba help libido?
A. We do not think there is an immediate effect of ginkgo biloba use and libido. However, over time, use of ginkgo could help improve circulation in genital regions in some people.

Q. I am having much difficulty finding a mind boosting product that have ingredients that are safe enough to be used by breast cancer survivors. I finished radiation treatments in March of 07. I was taking ginkgo biloba which worked so well for me and I also felt better. Then I discovered that it had estrogenic like effects on the body and I stopped taking them because my cancer was 80% ER positive, and 10% progesterone positive.
A. We have not seen any research to indicate ginkgo biloba causes harm to those with breast cancer. One study concludes, “Ginkgo biloba extract can be considered as a potential alternative to HRT with chemopreventive effects on breast cancer. However, further studies on animals and humans will be required.” J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2006 Aug;100(4-5):167-76. Another study says, “In humans, Ginkgo extracts inhibit the formation of radiation-induced (chromosome-damaging) clastogenic factors and ultraviolet light-induced oxidative stress – effects that may also be associated with anticancer activity. Flavonoid and terpenoid constituents of Ginkgo extracts may act in a complementary manner to inhibit several carcinogenesis-related processes, and therefore the total extracts may be required for producing optimal effects.” Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2003 Aug;17(4):405-17.

Q. Is ginkgo useful for female impotence?
A. There are many other herbs that are more potent than ginkgo for sexual enhancement.

Q. What is your impression of alpha GPC supplement?
A. See a good alpha GPC supplement review.

Q. Does the Ginkgo biloba supplement contain special extract EGb 761?
A. Ginkgo biloba is one of the few herbs that has an accepted standardization. It has been standardized to 50:1 extract at 24% ginkgoflavonglycosides and a minimum of 6% terpene lactones. EGB 761 is basically the same.  EGb 761 [Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761, Rokan, Tanakan, Tebonin] is a standardised extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves containing approximately 24% flavone glycosides (primarily quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin) and 6% terpene lactones (2.8-3.4% ginkgolides A, B and C, and 2.6-3% bilobalide).

Q. I have a question concerning ginkgo biloba herb. I have come across research that seems a bit ambiguous. The following discussion suggests that a large amount of ginkgo biloba can impact fertility. I take a supplement that has about 25mg per serving. We are endeavoring to have a child. I wanted to know if gingko Biloba runs the risk of causing chromosomal abnormalities leading to birth defects.
A. There is no indication that small doses of ginkgo biloba herb taken by adult men and women causes chromosomal abnormalities although research in this area is quite limited and little can be said with a great deal of certainty.

Q. i am 72 yrs old want to take ginkgo biloba supplement as my short time memory is starting to fail me. i suffer from high blood pressure, on Losartan 100mg and perindopril 8mg. Could i still take ginkgo biloba supplements, is it safe?
A. Unexpected reactions can occur when medications are combined with supplements, particularly in those over the age of 60. It is not possible to predict the reaction or side effects in any one particular person. However, if your doctor approves, you could take initially a tiny amount of ginkgo and gradually increase. For instance the starting ginkgo biloba dosage could be as little as a third of a 40 mg ginkgo capsule or tablet.

Q. Is there any difference between Ginkgo Biloba and Fish Oil? I’m mainly interested in the cognitive and circulation benefits. I’ve taken both and do not seem to notice much difference between the two, although the effects from ginkgo seem to be a little bit stronger.
A. Ginkgo biloba and fish oil supplements work in completely different ways. Even though many different supplements may produce similar mental effects such as alertness or better memory, or have similar vasodilating effects, this does not mean that they work the same way physiologically.

Your website talks about the benefits of Ginkgo biloba EGb761. Are any of the products actually made from this specific ginkgo? If so which ones are they?
There are many different trademarked ginkgo products and most are consistent with the standardized Ginkgo Biloba herb 50:1 at 24% ginkgoflavonglycosides and a minimum of 6% terpene lactones.

I read an article that said, Many Supplements Have Quality Problems. Lead in ginkgo pills. Arsenic in herbals. Bugs in a baby’s colic and teething syrup. Toxic metals and parasites are part of nature, and all of these have been found in “natural” products and dietary supplements in recent years.
No product on the market, whether a natural supplement, food, medication, or anything else is completely safe. That is impossible to achieve and consumers should not expect perfection because that is not attainable. Most consumers do fine when they purchase their vitamins from long established companies.

I am interested in trying Eyesight RX product, but I need to know how much Gingko herb it contains as Gingko biloba tends to trigger migraines for me. Can you tell me? It sounds like a great product otherwise.
We cannot reveal the exact amount, but it is very very small.

back to index yohimbe bark

Wrong spelling
ginkgo baloba balboa, baloba, of baloba,
bilbo, bilova, boloba,