Ginkgo Biloba: Benefits, Evidence and How to Use It

By the Remedy Healer Editorial Team

Ginkgo biloba is one of the world's oldest medicinal plants and one of the most widely studied. Its primary benefits are cerebrovascular -- improving circulation to the brain -- with secondary benefits for memory, attention and vertigo.

Cerebral circulation

Ginkgo's most mechanistically clear benefit is improving cerebral blood flow through vasodilation and platelet-activating factor inhibition. This mechanism underlies its cognitive benefits and explains its approved use in Germany for dementia and cerebrovascular disease.

Cognitive function in older adults

Multiple trials in older adults show improvements in memory and processing speed. A Cochrane review found ginkgo provides modest but significant cognitive benefits in people with dementia. Evidence in healthy young adults is more mixed.

Dosage

240mg EGb 761 standardised extract (24% flavonoids, 6% terpene lactones) daily, divided into two doses. This is the specific extract and dose used in most positive clinical trials. Important caution: ginkgo inhibits platelet aggregation -- do not combine with warfarin, aspirin or other anticoagulants without medical supervision.

Not medical advice.

Safety and Practical Guidance

Natural remedies vary enormously in quality between products. For herbal supplements, look for standardised extracts with third-party testing. Dosage matters: the amounts used in clinical trials may differ from typical retail products. Most herbal remedies require 4-8 weeks of consistent use before meaningful effects appear. Fat-soluble compounds like curcumin absorb better with food; check specific guidance for each remedy.

Building a Sustainable Wellness Foundation

No single remedy works in isolation. The strongest evidence in natural medicine points consistently to the power of multiple consistent improvements: good sleep, regular moderate exercise, a predominantly whole-food diet and effective stress management each individually move the body toward better function. Natural remedies are most effective layered on top of these foundations, not instead of them.

Safety and Practical Guidance

Natural remedies vary widely in quality. Look for standardised extracts with third-party testing and specified amounts of active compounds. Clinical trial dosages may differ from retail products. Allow 4-8 weeks of consistent daily use. Fat-soluble compounds like curcumin absorb better with healthy fats.

Building Wellness Foundations

Natural remedies produce better outcomes layered on foundational practices: consistent sleep (7-9 hours), regular moderate exercise, a whole-food diet, and effective stress management. These foundations amplify the effect of any targeted supplement.