Ginkgo Leaf
Also known as: Ginkgo biloba, EGb 761, Ginkgo leaf extract, GLT, GLED
Effective Dosage
240 mg daily (standardized extract EGb 761) based on dementia studies; No established dose for other uses
What the Science Says
Ginkgo leaf comes from one of the world's oldest tree species and has been used medicinally for centuries. Standardized ginkgo extract (EGb 761 at 240 mg daily) shows statistically significant benefits for cognition, daily living activities, and global function in people with mild to moderate dementia, particularly those who have had a prior stroke. Some clinical evidence also suggests it may reduce oxidative stress markers in type 2 diabetes and, when combined with other agents, may improve outcomes in acute stroke and early diabetic eye disease.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to prevent dementia in healthy people. Won't sharpen memory or focus in young, cognitively normal adults — the evidence simply isn't there. Not a standalone treatment for heart failure. The eye and diabetes benefits seen in studies used ginkgo combined with other herbs, so you can't credit ginkgo alone. Don't expect it to reverse Parkinson's disease — that research is only in mice so far.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Standardized Ginkgo extract (EGb 761 at 240 mg/day) showed statistically significant and clinically relevant benefits in cognition, activities of daily living, and global assessment in patients with mild-to-moderate dementia following cerebral infarction (PMID: 41908799). Ginkgo Leaf Extract and Dipyridamole (GLED) combined with edaravone demonstrated significantly better outcomes than edaravone alone in acute cerebral infarction, including improved stroke scale scores and reduced adverse events (PMID: 39496028). Ginkgo Leaf Tablets combined with Liuwei Dihuang Pills reduced oxidative stress markers (CML and 8-isoprostane) in type 2 diabetes patients over 36 months and lowered diabetic retinopathy incidence (PMID: 30219436, 27491224).
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: 240 mg EGb 761 daily (standardized extract) based on dementia trials; 19.2 mg three times daily used in some Chinese tablet studies
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown from provided studies — no human pharmacokinetic data on absorption was reported. Animal data suggests ginkgo leaf tablets can inhibit or induce liver enzymes (CYP2C8/2C9) depending on dose and duration, which may affect how other drugs are processed.
Red Flags to Watch For
- High adulteration risk: studies estimate a significant proportion of ginkgo leaf products on the market are adulterated or mislabeled — buy only from verified, third-party tested brands
- Drug interactions: ginkgo can alter metabolism of medications processed by CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 liver enzymes (e.g., diabetes drugs like rosiglitazone) — tell your doctor if you take any prescription medications
- Most positive studies used specific standardized extracts (EGb 761) at precise doses — generic 'ginkgo' supplements may not match study formulations
- Benefits in dementia studies were in patients with prior stroke or diagnosed dementia, not healthy adults — marketing claims targeting general memory enhancement are not supported by these studies
Products Containing Ginkgo Leaf
See how Ginkgo Leaf is used in these analyzed products:
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: 2026-04-06