Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) is a popular herbal supplement. These supplements are made from extracts of the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree, one of the longest living trees in the world. Ginkgo biloba is said to be useful for many different medicinal uses, although most people take it to improve memory or mental functioning.
(Click Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba for more information on what ginkgo biloba is used for, including additional ginkgo biloba uses.)
How Does Ginkgo Biloba Work?
It is not exactly clear how ginkgo biloba works. It seems that there is a wide variety of different active compounds in ginkgo biloba, and it is thought that it is probably a combination of several of these active compounds that is responsible for the actions of ginkgo biloba. Some of these compounds have "blood-thinning" properties, helping to keep blood platelets from sticking together. Other compounds work as antioxidants, protecting cells from free radical damage. Ginkgo biloba may also help to prevent cell damage caused by beta-amyloid proteins (which may contribute to
Alzheimer's disease). There are several other theoretical effects of ginkgo biloba (that have been demonstrated in laboratory studies, but not yet in humans) that may also contribute to the actions of ginkgo biloba.
Is Ginkgo Biloba Effective?
Ginkgo biloba may be effective for several uses (although larger studies are needed to confirm the early positive findings of some studies). However, some ginkgo biloba uses have no scientific basis whatsoever.
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