Ginkgo Biloba
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Ginkgo Biloba (Ginkgo biloba) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 7,590 participants, researched for Cognitive Enhancement (Healthy & Older Adults), Dementia & Alzheimer's Disease, Anxiety & Mood and 3 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cognitive Enhancement (Healthy & Older Adults)
StrongDementia & Alzheimer's Disease
WeakAnxiety & Mood
ModerateCirculation & Tinnitus
WeakInflammation & Oxidative Stress
ModerateClinical trials
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cognitive Enhancement (Healthy & Older Adults)
To determine whether 120 mg/day of Ginkgo biloba extract improves memory and cognitive function in healthy older adults without cognitive impairment.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To determine whether 120 mg/day of Ginkgo biloba extract improves memory and cognitive function in healthy older adults without cognitive impairment.
Dose
120 mg/day of standardised Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb)
Participants
230 community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Ginkgo did not facilitate performance on standard neuropsychological tests of learning, memory, attention, and concentration or naming and verbal fluency in elderly adults without cognitive impairment.
How They Measured It
Neuropsychological tests including learning, memory, attention, concentration, naming, and verbal fluency
To determine if Ginkgo biloba prevents cognitive decline in older adults over the long term.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To determine if Ginkgo biloba prevents cognitive decline in older adults over the long term.
Dose
120 mg twice daily of EGb761
Participants
3,069 community-dwelling adults aged 72-96 years
Duration
6.1 years
Results
Ginkgo biloba at 120 mg twice daily was not effective in reducing the rate of cognitive decline in older adults with normal cognition or with mild cognitive impairment.
How They Measured It
Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MSE), Digit Span, Verbal Fluency, Trail Making Test
To observe the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba leaf tablet in improving episodic memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Study Type
Randomised, controlled trial
Purpose
To observe the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba leaf tablet in improving episodic memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Dose
19.2 mg Ginkgo biloba leaf tablet 3 times per day
Participants
120 amnestic MCI patients aged 60-85 years
Duration
6 months
Results
Ginkgo biloba leaf tablet significantly improved logical memory scores and nonsense picture recognition compared to control, suggesting a benefit for episodic memory in MCI patients.
How They Measured It
Nonsense picture recognition (clinical memory scale), logical memory test (Wechsler memory scale)
Dementia & Alzheimer's Disease
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in patients with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in patients with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
Dose
240 mg/day of EGb 761
Participants
Meta-analysis of multiple RCTs
Duration
22-26 weeks
Results
EGb761 at 240 mg/day is able to stabilize or slow decline in cognition, function, behaviour, and global change at 22-26 weeks in cognitive impairment and dementia, especially for patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms.
How They Measured It
Cognition, global function, activities of daily living, neuropsychiatric symptoms
To explore the effectiveness and safety of Ginkgo biloba in treating mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To explore the effectiveness and safety of Ginkgo biloba in treating mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
Dose
240 mg/day of EGb761
Participants
Meta-analysis of RCTs from PubMed, Cochrane, and Chinese databases up to December 2014
Duration
Various (minimum 12 weeks)
Results
Ginkgo biloba showed significant benefit in improving cognitive function and daily living activities in MCI and Alzheimer's patients. The standardized extract EGb761 at 240 mg/day was particularly effective.
How They Measured It
MMSE, ADL, global clinical rating scales
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Ginkgo biloba preparations in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease compared to donepezil.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Ginkgo biloba preparations in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease compared to donepezil.
Dose
240 mg/day EGb761
Participants
Meta-analysis including studies from 1990-2022
Duration
Various
Results
Ginkgo biloba preparations showed comparable efficacy to donepezil for cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer's disease, with a favourable safety profile. Combination therapy provided additional benefit over either treatment alone.
How They Measured It
MMSE, ADAS-Cog, CDR, neuropsychiatric symptoms
Anxiety & Mood
To evaluate the effects of Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 on anxiety in patients with generalised anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder with anxious mood.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the effects of Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 on anxiety in patients with generalised anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder with anxious mood.
Dose
480 mg/day or 240 mg/day of EGb 761
Participants
107 patients with generalised anxiety disorder or adjustment disorder
Duration
4 weeks
Results
EGb 761 was significantly superior to placebo on HAMA scores. Both 480 mg/day and 240 mg/day doses reduced anxiety significantly compared to placebo. Treatment was safe and well tolerated.
How They Measured It
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA)
Circulation & Tinnitus
To summarise the evidence from randomised placebo-controlled trials on the effects of Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To summarise the evidence from randomised placebo-controlled trials on the effects of Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus.
Dose
120-240 mg/day EGb761
Participants
Meta-analysis of multiple RCTs
Duration
Various
Results
Evidence does not support Ginkgo biloba as an effective treatment for tinnitus in most patients, though some studies show mild benefit in dementia-related tinnitus.
How They Measured It
Tinnitus severity scales, THI (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory)
Inflammation & Oxidative Stress
To examine the effects of EGb 761 on blood markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in mild cognitive impairment.
Study Type
Randomised, open-label clinical trial
Purpose
To examine the effects of EGb 761 on blood markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in mild cognitive impairment.
Dose
240 mg/day of EGb 761
Participants
60 adults with mild cognitive impairment
Duration
24 weeks
Results
EGb 761 supplementation significantly reduced inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α) and oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA) while improving antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD). Cognitive function also improved on MMSE scores.
How They Measured It
Inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD), MMSE
Clinical trials
To assess the efficacy and safety of ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine (GDLM) in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Study Type
Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial
Purpose
To assess the efficacy and safety of ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine (GDLM) in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Dose
GDLM once daily via intravenous infusion for 14 days
Participants
3,448 AIS patients aged 18-80 years (100 centers, China)
Duration
14 days treatment, 90 days follow-up
Results
GDLM significantly improved the proportion of patients achieving mRS 0-1 at day 90 compared to placebo. Safety profiles were similar.
How They Measured It
Proportion of patients with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-1 at day 90; NIHSS score
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ginkgo Biloba research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Ginkgo Biloba (Ginkgo biloba), involving 7,590 total participants. Research covers Cognitive function, Memory enhancement, Anxiety & mood and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (6 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Ginkgo Biloba has been researched for: Cognitive function, Memory enhancement, Anxiety & mood, Dementia & Alzheimer's. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 6 out of 10 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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