Ginkgo Biloba: Benefits, Tinnitus, Dosage, Side Effects And Research
Ginkgo biloba is a leaf extract from one of the world’s oldest tree species, sold as a supplement for memory, circulation and tinnitus. It is one of the most heavily researched herbal supplements, and the large trials are mostly disappointing: ginkgo did not prevent dementia or slow cognitive decline in more than 3,000 older adults, a meta-analysis found no memory benefit in healthy people, and a Cochrane review found no evidence it helps tinnitus. It may modestly help some symptoms in people who already have dementia, and it is generally well tolerated.
Disclosure: nootropic.org/ may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, including as an Amazon Associate. This never affects which products we recommend. Learn more.
Key Takeaways
- No dementia prevention: The GEM trial gave 3,069 adults aged 75 and older 120 mg of EGb 761 twice daily for a median of 6.1 years, with no reduction in dementia.[1]
- Healthy memory: A meta-analysis of healthy adults found effects on memory, attention and executive function near zero.[5]
- Tinnitus: A Cochrane review found no evidence ginkgo works when tinnitus is the main complaint.[6]
- Existing dementia: A meta-analysis found small benefits at 240 mg a day of EGb 761 over 22 to 26 weeks.[4]
- Bleeding: Trials do not show more bleeding than placebo, but NIH still advises caution with anticoagulants such as warfarin.[7][8]
What Is Ginkgo Biloba And How Does It Work?
Ginkgo biloba (maidenhair tree) is a deciduous tree with fan-shaped leaves. Supplements are made from concentrated leaf extracts, not from the seeds or whole leaves. The most-studied version is EGb 761, a standardized leaf extract used in most of the major clinical trials, including the US government-funded Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study.[1][3]
One measurable effect in people is on blood flow properties: a meta-analysis of 18 randomized trials found that ginkgo extract reduced blood viscosity.[7] That circulatory angle is the main reason ginkgo was promoted for memory and ear problems, but a plausible mechanism has not translated into reliable benefits in large trials.
Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba Supplement: What The Research Shows
| Claimed Benefit | Evidence Strength | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Preventing dementia | Strong evidence of no effect | Large 6-year GEM trial was negative |
| Memory in healthy adults | Moderate evidence of no effect | Meta-analysis found effects near zero |
| Symptoms of existing dementia | Limited to Moderate | Small benefits at 240 mg/day; results inconsistent |
| Tinnitus | Insufficient | Cochrane review found no proven benefit |
| Anxiety, vertigo, stroke recovery | Preliminary | Small amount of inconclusive evidence[8] |
Ginkgo And Memory: The GEM Study
The GEM study is the most important trial in ginkgo research. It randomly assigned 3,069 community volunteers aged 75 and older (2,587 with normal cognition and 482 with mild cognitive impairment) to 120 mg of EGb 761 twice daily or placebo. Over a median of 6.1 years, 246 people in the ginkgo group and 277 in the placebo group developed dementia, a difference that was not statistically significant. Ginkgo did not reduce Alzheimer’s disease or slow progression from mild cognitive impairment.[1]
A follow-up analysis of the same participants found no difference in the rate of cognitive decline on any measure, including memory, attention and executive function, regardless of age, sex or baseline cognition.[2]
Ginkgo As A Nootropic For Healthy People
If you are young and healthy and hoping ginkgo will sharpen your memory, the evidence is not encouraging. A 2012 meta-analysis pooled randomized trials in healthy people: 13 trials on memory (1,132 participants), 7 on executive function and 8 on attention. Effect sizes were essentially zero for all three, and neither dose, duration nor age changed the result. The authors found “no ascertainable positive effects.”[5] NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health likewise describes the evidence for cognition in healthy people as weak and largely low quality.[8]
Ginkgo For People Who Already Have Dementia
This is where ginkgo has its best case. A 2014 meta-analysis of nine trials (2,561 participants) found that EGb 761 produced small improvements in cognition, daily activities and global clinical impression compared with placebo over 22 to 26 weeks, with benefits mainly at 240 mg a day and especially in people with neuropsychiatric symptoms.[4] An earlier Cochrane review of 36 trials was more cautious, finding inconsistent results and concluding that evidence of a clinically meaningful benefit is unreliable.[3] Dementia needs medical care; ginkgo is not a substitute for it.
Does Ginkgo Biloba Help Tinnitus?
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is one of the top reasons people buy ginkgo, and you will find plenty of “ginkgo biloba cured my tinnitus” stories online. The controlled evidence does not back that up. A 2013 Cochrane review of four randomized trials (1,543 participants) concluded that the limited evidence does not show ginkgo is effective for tinnitus when it is the primary complaint. The only positive result came from a trial in people with dementia, some of whom had mild tinnitus, and the reductions were small with unclear clinical significance.[6] NCCIH also states that research suggests ginkgo is not helpful for tinnitus.[8]
Why do anecdotes persist? A personal story cannot separate a supplement’s effect from natural ups and downs in symptoms or the placebo effect, which is exactly what controlled trials are designed to do. If you have new, one-sided or pulsing tinnitus, or tinnitus with hearing loss or dizziness, see a doctor or audiologist rather than self-treating.
How Much Ginkgo For Tinnitus?
There is no evidence-based ginkgo dose for tinnitus, because no dose has been shown to work reliably. The dementia trials used 120 to 240 mg a day of EGb 761,[1][4] which is the range most products copy.
Ginkgo Biloba Dosage: What Studies Used
| Purpose | Dose | Duration | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dementia prevention (75+) | 120 mg EGb 761 twice daily | Median 6.1 years | No benefit (GEM)[1] |
| Cognitive decline (72–96) | 120 mg EGb 761 twice daily | Median 6.1 years | No benefit[2] |
| Existing dementia symptoms | 240 mg/day EGb 761 | 22–26 weeks | Small benefit[4] |
| Memory in healthy adults | Various | Various | No benefit[5] |
Forms: Ginkgo Tablets, Capsules, Powder And Drops
- Standardized extract tablets and capsules: The research is on standardized leaf extracts like EGb 761, so a capsule or tablet that lists its standardization is the closest match to the studies.[3]
- Ginkgo leaf powder: Plain dried leaf powder (including organic ginkgo powder) is not the same as an extract. Its active-compound content is lower and unstandardized, and it has not been tested in the major trials.
- Ginkgo extract powder: Bulk extract powder can be standardized, but dosing in milligrams by scoop is imprecise.
- Drops and tinctures: Liquid extracts vary widely in strength and are rarely matched to trial doses.
- Seeds: Never eat raw ginkgo seeds. NCCIH notes fresh seeds are toxic, and serious effects have also been reported with roasted seeds.[8]
Ginkgo Side Effects And Safety
Leaf extract is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are headache, dizziness and digestive upset.[8] In the GEM trial, adverse events were similar between ginkgo and placebo over six years,[1] and the Cochrane dementia review found no excess side effects compared with placebo.[3]
Ginkgo And Bleeding Risk
Ginkgo has a long-standing reputation for raising bleeding risk. The randomized trial data is more reassuring: a 2011 meta-analysis of 18 randomized trials (1,985 adults) found no significant effect of standardized ginkgo extract on platelet aggregation, fibrinogen or prothrombin time, and concluded it did not increase bleeding risk compared with placebo.[7]
Even so, NCCIH warns that ginkgo may increase bleeding risk in people taking anticoagulants such as warfarin and may interact with other drugs.[8] The meta-analysis measured clotting tests in trial participants, so it cannot fully rule out problems when ginkgo is combined with blood thinners.
Drug Interactions And Who Should Avoid Ginkgo
Talk with a doctor or pharmacist before using ginkgo if any of these apply:
- You take warfarin or another anticoagulant.[8] Ask your pharmacist about antiplatelet drugs too.
- You have a bleeding disorder or a scheduled surgery or dental procedure. Tell your surgical team about all supplements.
- You are pregnant. NCCIH notes ginkgo may be unsafe during pregnancy and, near delivery, might cause early labor or extra bleeding. Safety while breastfeeding is not established.[8]
- You take any prescription medication, since NCCIH notes ginkgo may interact with other drugs.[8]
Ginkgo Biloba Vs Bacopa And Other Pairings
Bacopa Monnieri Vs Ginkgo Biloba
For memory, bacopa monnieri has a modestly stronger case in healthy adults: several 12-week trials show better retention of new information, although pooled results are mixed. Ginkgo’s healthy-adult data is essentially null.[5] People often stack bacopa and ginkgo, but we are not aware of good trials showing the combination beats either alone.
Ginkgo With Coffee, Rhodiola Or Gotu Kola
Ginkgo is often combined with caffeine, rhodiola rosea or gotu kola in “brain” formulas. None of these pairings has strong supporting trials. If you want a well-studied same-day focus combination, L-theanine and caffeine has better evidence. For memory-focused options, see our guide to the best supplements for memory.
Where To Buy Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo is widely sold in pharmacies, grocery stores and online. Given the evidence, we do not think most healthy people need it. If you have a specific reason to try it, choose a standardized leaf extract with third-party testing and a dose that matches the trials (120 to 240 mg a day).
For a single-ingredient, standardized and third-party-tested option, consider Nootropics Depot ginkgo biloba. On Amazon, buy only from listings marked “Sold by Nootropics Depot,” and check the label for the extract’s standardization. More in our Nootropics Depot review.
Ginkgo is not in Mind Lab Pro. If you are shopping for a general cognitive formula instead, our Mind Lab Pro vs Alpha Brain comparison covers two popular options.
Ginkgo Biloba FAQs
What Are The Benefits Of Ginkgo Biloba Supplements?
The best-supported benefit is a small improvement in symptoms for people who already have dementia, at 240 mg a day of EGb 761.[4] It has not been shown to prevent dementia or boost memory in healthy people.[1][5]
Can Ginkgo Biloba Help Ringing In The Ears?
The Cochrane review found no evidence that ginkgo is effective for tinnitus as a primary complaint.[6]
Is Ginkgo Biloba A Good Nootropic?
Not for healthy adults, based on current evidence. A meta-analysis found no measurable effect on memory, attention or executive function.[5] Start with our guide to what nootropics are for better-supported options.
Does Ginkgo Thin Your Blood?
Ginkgo lowered blood viscosity in trials but did not change standard clotting tests or increase bleeding compared with placebo.[7] It may still raise bleeding risk with anticoagulants, so check with your doctor.[8]
Is Ginkgo Leaf Powder As Good As An Extract?
No evidence says so. The clinical research uses concentrated, standardized extracts like EGb 761, not ground leaf.[3]
Is Ginkgo Safe Long Term?
In the GEM trial, adverse events were similar to placebo over a median of six years in adults 75 and older.[1]
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Dietary supplements are not evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, take prescription medication or have a medical condition. Read our full medical disclaimer.
References
- DeKosky ST, et al. Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2008;300(19):2253. PubMed
- Snitz BE, et al. Ginkgo biloba for preventing cognitive decline in older adults: a randomized trial. JAMA. 2009;302(24):2663. PubMed
- Birks J, et al. Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;(2):CD003120. PubMed
- Tan MS, et al. Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Alzheimers Dis. 2014;43(2):589-603. PubMed
- Laws KR, et al. Is Ginkgo biloba a cognitive enhancer in healthy individuals? A meta-analysis. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2012;27(6):527-533. PubMed
- Hilton MP, et al. Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(3):CD003852. PubMed
- Kellermann AJ, et al. Is there a risk of bleeding associated with standardized Ginkgo biloba extract therapy? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmacotherapy. 2011;31(5):490-502. PubMed
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Ginkgo. Updated February 2025. NCCIH