HypeCheck

Last verified: 14 days ago

Ginkgo Biloba

Also known as: Ginkgo biloba extract, GBE, EGb 761, maidenhair tree, Ginkgo biloba leaves

Evidence under review. — Not yet rated

Herbal extract with clinical support for dizziness relief, memory, and hearing health. Also studied for bedwetting in children.

  • What it does

    Ginkgo biloba is a tree extract used for centuries in traditional medicine. Clinical trials show it can meaningfully reduce dizziness and vertigo symptoms, improve memory and cognitive scores in...

  • Evidence quality

    Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.

  • Clinical dose

    60-240 mg daily based on study doses

What the Science Says

Ginkgo biloba is a tree extract used for centuries in traditional medicine. Clinical trials show it can meaningfully reduce dizziness and vertigo symptoms, improve memory and cognitive scores in healthy adults, and help children with nighttime bedwetting — especially when combined with standard treatments. At 240 mg daily, about two-thirds of vertigo patients showed clinically relevant improvement within 12 weeks.

What It Doesn't Do

Not a proven treatment for dementia or Alzheimer's disease based on these studies. Won't cure hearing loss on its own — the hearing study combined it with another drug. No solid evidence it boosts spatial awareness or multitasking in gamers. Don't expect it to work overnight — most benefits appeared after weeks of consistent use.

Evidence-Based Benefits

Reduces dizziness severity and improves balance in adults with vertigo after 12 weeks at 240 mg daily.

Moderate Evidence

Effective at: 240 mg daily

Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):

Improves multiple memory measures in healthy adults aged 30–65 after 30 days of supplementation.

Moderate Evidence

Effective at: Not fully specified in provided studies

Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):

Reduces nighttime bedwetting in children and works best when combined with desmopressin.

Moderate Evidence

Effective at: 60 mg daily

Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):

May improve hearing outcomes in sudden sensorineural hearing loss when added to standard drug therapy.

Weak Evidence

Effective at: No established dose from provided studies

Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):

Helps restore shooting accuracy in esports athletes after mental fatigue, similar to caffeine and other supplements.

Weak Evidence

Effective at: No established dose from provided studies

Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):

Absorption & Bioavailability

Unknown from provided studies — no pharmacokinetic data reported in the provided papers

Red Flags to Watch For

  • The vertigo trial was open-label with no placebo control, making it impossible to separate drug effects from natural recovery
  • Ginkgo biloba can interact with blood thinners (e.g., warfarin) and other medications — the asthma drug interaction review flags herb-drug interactions as a real concern
  • The children's bedwetting trial used a specific standardized extract (GBE 60 mg) — generic ginkgo products may not match study formulations
  • Some studies used proprietary extracts (EGb 761) that may differ significantly from over-the-counter supplements
  • The esports/gaming study showed no advantage over placebo for spatial localization or multitasking — common marketing claims for focus supplements

Products Containing Ginkgo Biloba

See how Ginkgo Biloba is used in these analyzed products:

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ginkgo Biloba do?

Herbal extract with clinical support for dizziness relief, memory, and hearing health. Also studied for bedwetting in children.

What is the effective dose of Ginkgo Biloba?

60-240 mg daily based on study doses

Is Ginkgo Biloba safe?

The vertigo trial was open-label with no placebo control, making it impossible to separate drug effects from natural recovery

What doesn't Ginkgo Biloba do?

Not a proven treatment for dementia or Alzheimer's disease based on these studies.

Research Sources

  • PubMed
  • NIH DSLD

This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-09-11