Ginkgo (
ginkgo biloba) is a popular herbal supplement. These supplements are made from extracts of the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree, one of the longest living trees in the world. Ginkgo is said to be useful for many different medicinal uses, although most people take it to improve memory or mental functioning.
(Click Ginkgo Benefits for more information on what ginkgo is used for, including additional ginkgo uses.)
Many people believe that natural products, such as ginkgo, do not have side effects. However, many natural products cause side effects, some of which can be quite serious. Common side effects of ginkgo include, but are not limited to:
(Click Side Effects of Ginkgo to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Some people are more likely than others to experience problems due to ginkgo. Therefore, you should talk with your healthcare provider before taking ginkgo if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
(Click Safety of Ginkgo for more information, including any available ginkgo warnings and precautions.)
Ginkgo Dosing Information
Because ginkgo is a dietary supplement (not a "drug"), the best doses for ginkgo have not been thoroughly established. Make sure to follow the specific instructions on your particular ginkgo product.
Drug Interactions With Ginkgo
What If I Take a Ginkgo Overdose?
People who take too much ginkgo may have overdose symptoms such as:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lack of muscle tone
- Seizures
- Bleeding (including dangerous internal bleeding).
If you think you may have taken too much ginkgo, seek immediate medical attention.
Refer to the label of your individual ginkgo product for information on how best to store this supplement. Keep ginkgo and all other medications or supplements out of the reach of children.
It is not exactly clear how ginkgo works. It seems that there is a wide variety of different active compounds in ginkgo, and it is thought that it is probably a combination of several of these active compounds that is responsible for the actions of ginkgo. Some of these compounds have "blood-thinning" properties, helping to keep blood platelets from sticking together. Other compounds work as antioxidants, protecting cells from free radical damage. Ginkgo may also help to prevent cell damage caused by beta-amyloid proteins (which may contribute to
Alzheimer's disease). There are several other theoretical effects of ginkgo (that have been demonstrated in laboratory studies, but not yet in humans) that may also contribute to the actions of ginkgo.
Ginkgo may be effective for several uses (although larger studies are needed to confirm the early positive findings of some studies). However, some ginkgo uses have no scientific basis whatsoever.
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