6 Possible Benefits & Side Effects of Ginkgo Biloba

Health Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba

We don’t want to mince words so we are going to dive right into the meat and potatoes of the article. Here are the most important and proven Ginkgo biloba benefits:

Supports Cognitive Function

Neurotransmitters are essentially signal-senders in the brain. They are crucial for normal communication between brain cells and overall cognitive function.

One of the common causes of brain fog is the disruption of neurotransmitter activity, which can lead to issues with memory, focus, and learning.

Ginkgo biloba has been shown to improve neurotransmitter function, helping to combat brain fog and positively impact cognitive factors like memory and learning.

Promotes Circulation and Heart Health

Proper blood circulation is crucial for normal heart function. Ginkgo biloba has been proven to boost circulation which makes it very important for cardiovascular health. The Mount Sinai staff has even stated that ginkgo can help reduce the pain caused by poor blood flow to the legs.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

One of the most prevalent characteristics of ginkgo biloba as an herb is its high antioxidant content. Antioxidants are crucial for organ function because they scavenge free radical cells and help offset the natural effects of oxidative stress.

Ginkgo biloba also contains natural anti-inflammatory agents that can help reduce damage in the joints, digestive tract, and the brain.

May Reduce Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

Ginkgo biloba has been studied at length for its apparent ability to stymie depression and anxiety.

The National Institutes of Health concluded one of their studies on ginkgo biloba (GKB) by saying, “Overall, this study suggested that GKB could lower the risk of depression or depressed symptoms based on a sizable sample and several indications. GKB was safe for patients with depression at the same time.”

Supports Eye and Ear Health

Ginkgo biloba has also been found to help boost blood flow to the eyes and ears, supporting their natural function. It may also reduce symptoms of tinnitus and help retinal ganglion cells survive after optic nerve stress or damage.

May Improve Sexual Dysfunction

Since one of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction has to do with depressive and anxious thoughts, using a ginkgo biloba can be an effective erectile dysfunction supplement by helping address the psychological factors of the condition.

Side Effects of Ginkgo Biloba

For the most part, ginkgo biloba supplementation has been observed to be safe for most health applications. However, you may be allergic to it or unusually susceptible to the effects. In which case, you may experience mild:

• Nausea
• Heart palpitations
• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Bleeding Disorders
• Constipation

Side Effects of Ginkgo Biloba

Your risk of interactions may increase if you are on medications that are broken down by the liver, antidepressants, or seizure medications.

What is the Recommended Dosage for Ginkgo Biloba?

There is no universally recommended dosage for ginkgo biloba simply because it is not a standardized nutrient. Some products may have purer concentrations of the herb than others which makes it difficult to form a general guideline for dosage.

However, leading medical and nutritional authorities have acknowledged that the dose that appears to work best for delivering the health benefits of ginkgo biloba is about 240 milligrams per day for adults.

Of course, the different forms of ginkgo biloba and the processing and preparation methods used can alter this figure. Ginkgo comes in many forms including dried leaves, teas, capsules, health bars, and supplements. All of which can have different dosages.

How to Choose a Ginkgo Supplement

There are some general rules of thumb that you will want to adhere to if you are shopping for a good ginkgo biloba supplement - mainly things to look for and things to avoid:

• What to Look for - In general, you will want a ginkgo supplement that uses the standardized version of the herb which is known as EGb 761. You should also look for supplements that have undergone 3rd party lab testing and ones that come from reputable brands.
• What to Avoid - You will want to avoid taking ginkgo biloba with certain antidepressants such as Prozac. You should also avoid supplements that use the seeds of ginkgo as a source for the ingredient.