Ginkgo biloba: Health Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects

Dr. Mohammad Azam

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Mohammad Azam

Ayurveda

5 min read

Synopsis

Ginkgo biloba extract has gained popularity in western medicine in the last few decades. Ginkgo biloba benefits your heart, lung, and more. To know more benefits of ginkgo biloba, read on.

Key Takeaways

  • Ginkgo biloba extract is collected from the leaves of an ancient tree
  • Ginkgo biloba benefits your eyes, brain, heart, as well as lung health
  • Ginkgo biloba supplements are available in capsule and liquid form

Ginkgo biloba is an ancient tree whose extract has been used for centuries because of its health benefits. The extract is collected from the leaves of this tree, which is native to China. This extract is mainly available as a Ginkgo Biloba supplement that you can add to your diet. The seeds of ginkgo Biloba are generally used in Chinese medicine. Although it has been around for thousands of years, the popularity of ginkgo Biloba rose in the West only a few years ago. This is because of the increasing awareness about how ginkgo Biloba benefits your health.

Ginkgo Biloba's benefits for your health are a result of its nutritional properties. It contains antioxidants, terpenoids, flavonoids, and more. These nutritional properties of ginkgo Biloba protect your body from oxidative stress, inflammation, heart conditions, and more. Read on to know more about the benefits of ginkgo Biloba for your health, as well as other important facts.

Top Ginkgo Biloba Benefits For Health

1. Boosts Your Brain Function 

Ginkgo biloba has the ability to improve blood circulation throughout your body. It can also protect your brain from damage. Research shows that Ginkgo Biloba is an effective treatment option for people with Alzheimer's and dementia [1] [2]. It can help improve and stabilize social functioning as well as cognitive performance. Apart from that, Ginkgo Biloba also benefits your brain, helping fight anxiety and depression. You should also remember that ginkgo Biloba also helps improve memory and the ability to perform daily tasks.

Additional Read: Alzheimer's DiseaseGinkgo Biloba

2. Protects Your Heart Health 

Ginkgo biloba is known for its ability to dilate your blood vessels and thus improve blood circulation in your body. This improved blood circulation further has a protective effect on your heart health. Research shows that people who were given ginkgo Biloba had a 12% increase in nitric oxide, which resulted in an increased and improved blood flow throughout their body [3]. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginkgo Biloba are one of the major reasons behind its being able to protect your heart.

3. Supports Your Eye Health 

The research on how ginkgo Biloba affects your eye health is mainly restricted to patients who have vision impairments. One of the reasons behind its potential to treat this lies in its ability to improve blood circulation. However, more research is needed on the ways in which ginkgo Biloba affects eye health. Ginkgo biloba also has positive effects on people who have glaucoma. While experts believe ginkgo Biloba protects eye health from degenerative conditions and visual impairment, more clinical trials are needed to support this.

4. Improves Your Lung Health 

Ginkgo biloba has anti-inflammatory properties and, as a result, can have a positive impact on inflammatory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginkgo Biloba can help increase your lung capacity and reduce inflammation in the airways. However, to understand the full cause and effect, more research is needed.

Ginkgo Biloba benefits

Side Effects of Ginkgo Biloba 

Ginkgo biloba is something that you should include in your diet only after you completely understand its composition and impact on your health. Doing this will help you avoid any side effects and ensure that your body gets all the benefits of consuming Ginkgo Biloba.

Side effects of ginkgo Biloba include the following [4]: 

  • Digestive problems 
  • Muscle weakness 
  • Dizziness or nausea 
  • Headaches 
  • Diarrhea 
  • Heart palpitations

Keep in mind that you should avoid ginkgo Biloba if you have blood disorders, diabetes, epilepsy, or are pregnant. You should also stay away from the seeds as they are known to be poisonous. If you notice any signs or feel concerning symptoms after adding ginkgo Biloba to your diet, talk to a doctor immediately.

The Ideal Dosage of Ginkgo Biloba 

You can easily add Ginkgo biloba supplements to your diet. These supplements are available in the form of liquid extracts, tablets, or capsules. But given that there are potential side effects, it is important to get your ginkgo Biloba dose correct. Generally, the recommended dose of Ginkgo Biloba is around 240mg. Remember that this is the total dosage for a day and not for one time. This means that you will have spread out this ginkgo Biloba dose throughout your day.

To know how to evaluate your correct dose, contact a doctor. Only a medical professional can guide you on how to gradually add ginkgo Biloba into your diet. This will help ensure that your body can adjust to the supplements and so you don't have to suffer from the side effects.

Additional Read: What is Manjistha

Now that you know about the benefits, dosage, and side effects of ginkgo Biloba, consume or use this herb wisely. You should also remember that while there are many benefits of ginkgo Biloba for men and women, you may still be susceptible to certain illnesses. If you notice the signs of a health condition, do not hesitate to contact a doctor. Doing this will enable you to take prompt and right measures.

Book an in-clinic or online appointment with top ayurvedic practitioners on the Bajaj Finserv Health app or website. This way, you can learn about passionflower or isabgol benefits, get the right ayurvedic medicine for high BP, digestive issues, and more. You can consult top doctors from other fields to get specialized advice for your health concerns. This way, you can protect your health and take timely actions with ease! 

Published on 4 Jul 2022Last updated on 12 Apr 2023
  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8741021/
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9343463/
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18446847/
  4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-ginkgo/art-20362032

Please note that this article is solely meant for informational purposes and Bajaj Finserv Health Limited (“BFHL”) does not shoulder any responsibility of the views/advice/information expressed/given by the writer/reviewer/originator. This article should not be considered as a substitute for any medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with your trusted physician/qualified healthcare professional to evaluate your medical condition. The above article has been reviewed by a qualified doctor and BFHL is not responsible for any damages for any information or services provided by any third party.

Dr. Mohammad Azam

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Mohammad Azam

, BAMS 1 , MD - Ayurveda Medicine 3

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