How Does Ginkgo leaf extract work?
Extracts of ginkgo biloba are among the most widely used dietary supplements. The herb is marketed as a memory enhancer, and some studies have suggested it may help improve memory and other mental functions in people with dementia. The active ingredients in gingko are believed to have their beneficial effects by acting as antioxidants, preventing red blood cells and platelets from aggregating to form clots, allowing more oxygen to reach neurons, and improving circulation in tiny blood vessels by inducing relaxation of the muscles surrounding blood vessels. Even circulation to the eyes improves when subjects are given ginkgo. For more ginkgo information.

Ginkgo biloba herbal remedy
The primary indications for ginkgo leaf extract are age related cognitive decline (ARCD) and Alzheimer’s disease. Age related cognitive decline is a term that describes a collection of symptoms. These include difficulty in concentration and memory, absent-mindedness, confusion, lack of mental energy, and sometimes, depressive mood. Some of these symptoms may be associated with not enough blood reaching the brain, hence a potential justification for the use of gingko in lessening these symptoms. Ginkgo improves communication between nerve cells and enhances blood flow to the brain. It is licensed in Germany for the treatment of ARCD. Ginkgo may have promise in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's when used together with other conventional medicines. A well publicized study in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicated that 120 mg of ginkgo extract per day for one year was able to slightly improve cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
     Ginkgo leaf extract may show a beneficial effect on attention, memory and functioning in Multiple Sclerosis patients.
     Patients with dementia are helped by ginkgo.
     It is unlikely that those with normal memory function will notice a significant effect from ginkgo.

Enzymatic Therapy - Ginkgo Biloba - 24%, 90 Capsules
Enzymatic Therapy's Ginkgo Biloba -24% is standardized for its potency and natural constituents to produce the finest botanical extract available to support improved short-term memory and mild memory problems. Developed in accordance with monograph standards set forth by the German Commission E. Ginkgo leaf (Ginkgo biloba) Leaf Extract 40 mg standardized to contain 24% ginkgoflavonglycosides, 6% terpene lactones, and 2% bilobalide

Ginkgo leaf herbal remedy for Erectile Dysfunction?
Ginkgo has been found to partially reverse erectile dysfunction in those who take Prozac and other SSRIs, however other studies have not shown the same benefits. For an exceptional product formulated by Dr. Sahelian that enhances libido, intimacy and performance (in both men and women), click Passion Rx

Ginkgo leaf and Liver
Ginkgo is able to protect the liver from damage since it has antioxidant properties, prevents lipid peroxidation and replenishes the glutathione level. The effects of ginkgo were comparable to that of silymarin.

What Dosages of Ginkgo leaf extract are best?
The majority of the studies done thus far with ginkgo leaf extract have used daily dosages of 120 to 160 mg (50:1 concentration, 24% flavonoids). Patients generally took 40 milligrams three to four times a day. Treatment may be needed for a few weeks before positive results can be fully appreciated. Most manufacturers have pills that contain 40 or 60 mg of ginkgo.
     You may wish to start with one 40 mg pill a day to see if there is any improvement in memory or thinking. Ginkgo is best taken early in the day, and no later than afternoon.

Ginkgo leaf extract summary
Ginkgo biloba appears to be useful in memory loss due to aging or Alzheimer's disease, but is probably of little benefit in the young who have normal brain function and memory. Middle aged and older individuals may find ginkgo to be helpful in sharpening the mind. For more details, see Mind Boosters book.
      Because of its antioxidant properties, it may be useful in individuals with cerebrovascular disease. Due to its blood thinning properties, a dose of 60 mg a day should not be exceeded on a daily, long-term basis unless a health care provider monitors you. Keep in mind that other nutrients and drugs have blood-thinning properties including coumadin, aspirin, fish oils, and vinpocetine.

Age-related effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on synaptic plasticity and excitability.
Williams B.The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Neurobiol Aging. 2004 Aug;25(7):955-62.
EGb 761 is a standardized extract from the Ginkgo biloba leaf and is purported to improve age-related memory impairment. The acute and chronic effect of Ginkgo biloba on synaptic transmission and plasticity in hippocampal slices from young adult (8-12 weeks) and aged (18-24 months) C57Bl/6 mice was tested because hippocampal plasticity is believed to be a key component of memory. Acutely applied Ginkgo biloba significantly increased neuronal excitability in slices from aged mice by reducing the population spike threshold and increased the early phase of long-term potentiation, though there was no effect in slices from young adults. In chronically treated mice fed for 30 days with an Ginkgo biloba-supplemented diet, Ginkgo biloba significantly increased the population spike threshold and long-term potentiation in slices from aged animals, but had no effect on slices from young adults. The rapid effects of ginkgo biloba on plasticity indicate a direct interaction with the glutamatergic system and raise interesting implications with respect to a mechanism explaining its effect on cognitive enhancement in human subjects experiencing dementia.

Emails about ginkgo biloba
Q. Just thought I would mention that I have found use of ginkgo leaf to be a wonderful supplement for the treatment of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) that was do to exposure to loud noise as a teenager. I would notice a significant improvement a day or two after taking the supplements (100mg 2x daily 24% standardization) and the ringing would gradually return after I would stop taking them. After using it on and off for several years the problem has faded into the background and they are now unnecessary. I observed no improvement in memory or concentration, though I might have been taking too little.
   A. Thanks for your feedback. Some studies do show use of ginkgo biloba helpful for tinnitus, although my clinical experience with this herb for tinnitus has not shown a consistent beneficial response.

Q. Should I also take a ginkgo vitamin with Mind Power Rx. Or does the Mind Power Rx contain enough ginkgo.
   A. There is no need to take additional ginkgo biloba if taking Mind Power Rx.

Q,  Is is okay to take use ginkgo biloba leaf extract 40 mg every day?
   A. If you plan to use ginkgo biloba leaf extract 40 mg on a daily basis, it would be a good idea to take 2 days off a week and one week off each month.

Q. Is there a danger in ginkgo biloba and Celexa combination?
   A. Anytime herbs and drugs are combined unexpected reactions may occur. There have not been any studies combining Celexa with ginkgo, but if low dosages are used of each and you have no medical problems otherwise, it may be fine to combine as long as your doctor approves. There could be danger if high doses of ginkgo, Celexa, or other antidepressants are used together.

Q. Can someone with diabetes take ginkgo?
   A. Yes, as long as this person with diabetes limits the use of ginkgo to 40 or 60 mg a day with at least 2 days off a week and a week off each month.

Q. Is ginkgo biloba a vitamin?
   A. Ginkgo biloba is a leaf from the ginkgo biloba tree, not a vitamin.

Q. I would be grateful for your thoughts on taking Ginkgo biloba and aspirin. The combination is stated to be inadvisable because of enhanced bleeding risk. Should a person starting ginkgo stop aspirin entirely ? How great is this stated risk ? Would taking ginkgo say 120mgm a day, substitute entirely for taking 100 mg enteric coated aspirin daily?
   A. We are not aware of any studies that have compared the blood thinning properties of ginkgo biloba versus aspirin. Whether to use ginkgo along with aspirin may depend on the dosage used and a person's inherent clotting baseline which is different from person to person.

Q. I have read that some brands of ginkgo biloba are totally worthless while others work extremely well. Terrific. How are we supposed to find the good ones, and what are we looking for?
   A. The only way for a consumer to tell for certain is to actually have the product tested in a lab, but this costs 300 dollars to do. Otherwise, the consumer has to make their best decision on how they perceive of the integrity of the company they are dealing with.

Q. I first heard of Ginkgo biloba herb about 15 - 20 yrs ago. Every time I tried it, I got a headache. Still, 10 - 12 yrs ago, I tried it again - probably about 100 mg - and took a nap. Afterwards, I drove to a friend's birthday party on Alameda Island. After I crossed the bridge, nothing looked familiar. I went to a phone booth to call my friend and could not remember her name. I drove home, going thru two red lights. Obviously I had a TIA. I later realized that I now have trouble associating faces of acquaintances with the person. I have associated my TIA with the Ginkgo, but is that possible? Perhaps I am mistaken. Is it possible that I am overly sensitive to ginkgo and cannot use ginkgo biloba products?
   A. It's difficult for us to say without knowing your full medical history and not knowing whether the ginkgo products you took had other ingredients. One way to tell, if your doctor approves, is to take small amounts of ginkgo, such as a quarter of a 40 mg capsule, and progressively take more over the next few days to see if any amount of ginkgo biloba does this to you or whether the experiences you had in the past with ginkgo biloba were just coincidence.

Q. Is ginkgo biloba a treatment for vitiligo?
   A. There has been some research with ginkgo biloba and vitiligo that you can read here, vitiligo.