Ginkgo Biloba: Nootropic Spotlight

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About the Author

Charlotte was awarded a Master of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Bristol. She is currently completing a PhD at the University of Leeds.

About the Contributor

Mus was awarded a Master of Science degree in Medical Biotechnology and Business Management from the University of Warwick. 

 

Life on earth can be observed through cycles of creation and destruction. One is not possible without the other. Ying and Yang.

Probabilistically, every 10’s millions of years or so a celestial event happens that is beyond the control of any living organism of earth. The heavens open. Fire rains from above.

This was the case 65 million years ago with the dinosaurs - the greatest creatures that ever roamed the planet. As kids we are told the story of the dinosaurs, so we know the fate of those magnificent animals. But history fails to teach what happens next. After the dinosaurs.

The funny thing about life is that it is both delicately fragile yet extremely adaptable. Even a century long winter and fiery rainstorms could not vanquish the variety of life on earth.

Amongst the chaos rose a creature that was unphased by the extra-terrestrial events suffocating the atmosphere. Sprouting from the ground with a beautiful yellow blossom, the Ginkgo Biloba tree stood tall.

Life endured.

At over 200 million years old, Ginkgo is the oldest tree on planet earth. Outliving the dinosaurs. In China and the far east, the tree is worshiped. And it is thought that in the tenth or eleventh century Ginkgo Trees started to be cultivated for its medicinal properties.

If you're looking to start taking Ginkgo Biloba as a supplement, you can learn more about our Mood & Wellbeing Nootropic Supplement at nooroots. If you have any questions after reading this post, you can either visit our support resources or simply contact us via our online form

  

Contents

• What is Ginkgo biloba?
• Ginkgo biloba Benefits
• Ginkgo biloba Mechanism of Action
• Ginkgo biloba Side Effects
• Recommended Dosages of Ginkgo biloba

  

Ginkgo Biloba: A Health Guide to Safe and Effective Supplementation

 

 

What is Ginkgo Biloba?

Ginkgo biloba, also known as maidenhair, is a 200 million year old plant that has been used in Chinese medicine for over 5000 years. As the last species in the Ginkgoales order, ginkgo biloba is often referred to as a living fossil¹.

This ancient plant is renowned for its therapeutic properties, and is one of the most sold medicinal plants in the world! Ginkgo biloba improves blood circulation, boosts mood and protects cells as a potent antioxidant^1,2.

 

 

Ginkgo Biloba Benefits

The therapeutic effects of ginkgo biloba are far-reaching, with a handful of benefits including:

• Reduces anxiety and boosts memory: A trial with 107 people found a relationship between ginkgo biloba dose and a reduction in anxiety³.
• Improves blood circulation: Research has shown significantly increased blood flow in healthy elderly adults, when taking ginkgo biloba^4,5.
• Antioxidant: Ginkgo biloba, as a free radical scavenger, is known to be a powerful antioxidant⁶.

 

Ginkgo Biloba Mechanism of Action

The key pharmacologically active constituents of ginkgo biloba are^6,7:

• Flavone glycosides
• Terpene lactones, including ginkgolides and bilobalide

An extract of ginkgo biloba, with standardized concentrations of these compounds, is known as EGb 761® and is a treatment for dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders in many countries^3,8.

In clinical trials, ginkgo biloba (often used as EGb 761®) enhances cognitive ability (such as memory) and boosts mood by alleviating anxiety⁹.

In one such double-blind study, participants rated their quality of life and mental health as significantly improved when taking ginkgo biloba, in comparison to placebo¹⁰.

Ginkgo biloba is often touted as an ‘anti-aging’ therapeutic strategy. This is due to its ability to increase blood flow, which is critical for staying healthy by providing oxygen to the body for optimal brain boosting^4,5!

The antioxidant property of ginkgo biloba protects cells against damage and death. It scavenges and removes harmful free radical species that can induce oxidative stress^1,6.

 

Ginkgo Biloba Side Effects

Ginkgo Biloba is generally considered to be very safe. Some mild side effects that could occur at high doses are^2,3:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness/headaches
• Stomach pain
• Rashes

 

Recommended Dosages of Ginkgo Biloba

There is no set Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) or Safe Upper Limit (SUL) for Ginkgo Biloba. Unlike vitamin and minerals, Governments typically do not establish recommended daily guidelines for plant extracts.

Scientific and clinical research has outlined appropriate guidelines. 

It is generally accepted that doses of Ginkgo Biloba 60-200mg/day can produce positive health benefits. Scientific advice is not to take excess of 240mg (milligrams) a day ¹¹. 

Remember: if you are intaking a supplement in a product or in combination with other vitamins, minerals or plant extracts, then typically lower doses are sufficient to realize the desired benefits. 

 

Learn More About NRV and SUL  

The NRV and SUL are two values assigned to vitamins and minerals that are designed to provide guidance on how much of a specific nutrient can be consumed. 

NRV can be defined as the amount of a specific nutrient needed to adequately meet known nutritional deficiencies. Whereas the SUL is the highest level of nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of bad health effects for almost all individuals in the general population.

It is very safe to consume levels of nutrients greater than the NRV as long as the intake is below the SUL. 

At nooroots, we take both these values into consideration when performing research and product development. We work with our scientists and partners to select a nutrient level that is both safe and effective. 

 

 

Conclusion

200 million years is a long time. To the human mind, comprehending timespans across such horizons is very difficult, if not impossible. Our whole history as a species is but a mere leaf fall in a long autumn to the mighty Ginkgo tree.

From Ginkgo's vantage point, humanity may be another evanescent species in the long history of planet earth. But by scientists best estimates there is no immediate comet impact heading to plunge us back into the dark ages.

So while we do share this long orbit around the milky way galaxy. Let’s look down, reach to the ground and pick up one of Ginkgo’s leaves. For within it is one of mother natures best held antidotes.

Science has shown that Ginkgo Biloba has far reaching therapeutic benefits, including: reduction of anxiety, supporting memory, improve blood circulation, and serving as a strong anti-oxidant against harmful toxins.

Dose from 60 to 200 mg per day have been shown to be beneficial. Intaking above 240 mg is considered high by some research.

If you're looking to start taking Ginkgo Biloba as a supplement, you can learn more about our Mood & Wellbeing Nootropic Supplement at nooroots.

 

Learn more about the other vitamins, minerals and plant extracts we use to give your brain a daily boost 

• Ashwagandha
• Iodine
• Iron
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
• Piperine  

 

Evidence

1. Singh, B.; Kaur, P.; Gopichand; Singh, R. D.; Ahuja, P. S. Biology and Chemistry of Ginkgo Biloba. Fitoterapia 2008, 79 (6), 401–418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2008.05.007.
2. 12 Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba (Plus Side Effects & Dosage). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ginkgo-biloba-benefits (accessed 2022-06-09).
3. Woelk, H.; Arnoldt, K. H.; Kieser, M.; Hoerr, R. Ginkgo Biloba Special Extract EGb 761® in Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Adjustment Disorder with Anxious Mood: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of Psychiatric Research 2007, 41 (6), 472–480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2006.05.004.
4. Wu, Y.; Li, S.; Cui, W.; Zu, X.; Du, J.; Wang, F. Ginkgo Biloba Extract Improves Coronary Blood Flow in Healthy Elderly Adults: Role of Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation. Phytomedicine 2008, 15 (3), 164–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2007.12.002.
5. Wu, Y.-Z.; Li, S.-Q.; Zu, X.-G.; Du, J.; Wang, F.-F. Ginkgo Biloba Extract Improves Coronary Artery Circulation in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: Contribution of Plasma Nitric Oxide and Endothelin-1. Phytotherapy Research 2008, 22 (6), 734–739. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2335.
6. Dubey, A.-K.; Shankar, P.-R.; Upadhyaya, D.; Deshpande, V.-Y. Ginkgo Biloba--an Appraisal. Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ) 2004, 2 (3), 225–229.
7. Savage, K.; Firth, J.; Stough, C.; Sarris, J. GABA-Modulating Phytomedicines for Anxiety: A Systematic Review of Preclinical and Clinical Evidence. Phytotherapy Research 2018, 32 (1), 3–18. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5940.
8. Yang, G.; Wang, Y.; Sun, J.; Zhang, K.; Liu, J. Ginkgo Biloba for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Curr Top Med Chem 2016, 16 (5), 520–528. https://doi.org/10.2174/1568026615666150813143520.
9. Mix, J. A.; David Crews Jr., W. A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Trial of Ginkgo Biloba Extract EGb 761® in a Sample of Cognitively Intact Older Adults: Neuropsychological Findings. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental 2002, 17 (6), 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.412.
10. Cieza, A.; Maier, P.; Pöppel, E. Effects of Ginkgo Biloba on Mental Functioning in Healthy Volunteers. Archives of Medical Research 2003, 34 (5), 373–381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arcmed.2003.05.001.

11. Brondino, N. et al. (2013) ‘A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis ofGinkgo bilobain Neuropsychiatric Disorders: From Ancient Tradition to Modern-Day Medicine’, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, pp. 1–11. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/915691.