Ginkgo biloba
What is ginkgo biloba?
Ginkgo extract, from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree, has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. It also is the most commonly used herbal medicine in Europe. Although the benefits of ginkgo are not entirely understood, it is known that ginkgo has properties that may help treat certain conditions. Ginkgo may:
- Improve blood flow in the brain and elsewhere in the body.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Act as an antioxidant (like vitamin E) to fight cell damage.
- Improve memory in people with memory impairment.
In Canada, ginkgo is considered a dietary supplement.
What is ginkgo used for?
People have used ginkgo to treat a variety of health conditions. There is some evidence that ginkgo may be helpful in the treatment of:
- Blood flow disorders (circulatory disorders), such as thrombophlebitis, Raynaud's phenomenon, and peripheral arterial disease.
- Mental decline (dementia).
- Memory and concentration problems, anxiety, stress, and mood problems.
- Asthma and allergies.
Is ginkgo safe?
Ginkgo appears to be safe and has few side effects. Direct contact with the pulp of the ginkgo tree may cause a skin reaction similar to poison ivy, but this is not a problem with ginkgo that is taken by mouth (oral supplements). Experts don't know whether ginkgo is safe for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, so these women should consult a doctor before taking ginkgo.
Bleeding problems are the only major complication that has been linked to use of ginkgo, and the risk seems to be very low. Ginkgo is not recommended for people who are taking medicines that thin the blood (anticoagulants), such as warfarin (Coumadin), ASA, or NSAIDs. This is because ginkgo may reduce the blood's ability to clot. The combined effect of ginkgo and the medicines may be harmful.
The Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD), within the Health Products and Food Branch of Health Canada, regulates dietary supplements in Canada. Dietary supplements, including ginkgo, must be reviewed and approved by the NHPD before they can be sold in Canada.
Always tell your doctor if you are using a dietary supplement or if you are thinking about combining a dietary supplement with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on a dietary supplement. This is especially important for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
When using dietary supplements, keep in mind the following:
- Like conventional medicines, dietary supplements may cause side effects, trigger allergic reactions, or interact with prescription and non-prescription medicines or other supplements you might be taking. A side effect or interaction with another medicine or supplement may make other health conditions worse.
- The way dietary supplements are manufactured may not be standardized. Because of this, how well they work or any side effects they cause may differ among brands or even within different lots of the same brand. The form of supplement that you buy in health food or grocery stores may not be the same as the form used in research.
- Other than for vitamins and minerals, the long-term effects of most dietary supplements are not known.
| Author: | Jeannette Curtis Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC | Last Updated: October 1, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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