Ginkgo biloba

• TinctureLeafInternalEMA well-established

  Standardised dry extract (EGb 761) for improving cognitive function and quality of life in mild dementia — the only ginkgo preparation with EMA well-established use status.

  Preparation & dosage

  STANDARDISED DRY EXTRACT (EMA well-established use): Standardised dry leaf extracts, e.g. EGb 761 (Tebonin) or LI 1370, DER 35–67:1, acetone 60 % V/V, standardised to 22–27 % flavonol glycosides and 5–7 % terpene lactones. Daily dose 120–240 mg, in 2–3 single doses with meals. EMA indication: improvement of cognitive function and quality of life in elderly patients with mild dementia. Onset after 4–6 weeks of continuous use. Do not self-medicate confirmed dementia without diagnosis — ginkgo does not replace treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Inform physician before surgery and when taking anticoagulants (bleeding risk).

  Doses per day

  2×

  Max duration

  24 weeks

  ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — Per EMA, adults only — insufficient safety data for children/adolescents under 18.

  Sources: [1] [2] [3]

• TinctureLeafInternalTraditional use

  Standardised ginkgo dry extract for symptomatic treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD Fontaine II) — traditional use per the EMA monograph.

  Preparation & dosage

  STANDARDISED DRY EXTRACT — peripheral circulation (EMA traditional use): As above (EGb 761 / LI 1370), 120–160 mg daily in 2 single doses. Indication: symptomatic treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) Fontaine stage II (increasing pain-free walking distance). Adjunctive to exercise training. Medical diagnosis mandatory before self-treatment. Onset 6–8 weeks; EMA treatment duration up to 6 months observed.

  Doses per day

  2×

  Max duration

  12 weeks

  ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — Per EMA, adults only.

  Sources: [1] [2]

• TinctureLeafInternalTraditional use

  Standardised ginkgo extract for age-associated tinnitus and vertigo of vascular origin — traditional use per the EMA monograph.

  Preparation & dosage

  STANDARDISED DRY EXTRACT — tinnitus / vertigo (EMA traditional use): 120–160 mg daily in 2 single doses (EGb 761). Indication: symptomatic treatment of age-associated tinnitus and vertigo of vascular origin. Best evidence for vascular-origin complaints; less clear for purely idiopathic tinnitus. Medical assessment of cause required before starting. Not a substitute for specific ENT therapy. Sudden hearing loss or stroke: immediate emergency call.

  Doses per day

  2×

  Max duration

  16 weeks

  ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — Adults only (EMA).

  Sources: [1] [2] [4]

• TeaLeafInternalTraditional use

  Traditional leaf infusion to support circulation and mental freshness — lower active constituent concentration than standardised extracts, EMA: traditional use.

  Preparation & dosage

  INFUSION (traditional use): 2–3 g dried, coarsely cut ginkgo leaves in 200 ml boiling water, covered, steep 10 min, strain. 2× daily with meals. IMPORTANT: A simple leaf infusion contains flavonol glycosides and ginkgolides, but at much lower and more variable concentrations than standardised extracts — clinical efficacy comparable to EGb 761 is not established for leaf tea. Tea form is traditional use (EMA traditional) for supporting circulation and mental freshness during temporary exhaustion. Beyond 8 weeks without improvement, consult a doctor.

  Dry amount

  2–3 g

  Doses per day

  2×

  Max duration

  8 weeks

  ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — Adults only — no safety data for children.

  Sources: [1] [5] [6]

• RawSeedInternalFolk medicine

  Edible seeds (ginkgo nuts) — cooked only, max. 5–10 nuts/day for adults; raw seeds and seed coat toxic/allergenic (ginkgotoxin, ginkgolic acids).

  Preparation & dosage

  GINKGO NUTS (seeds, cooked): Remove the fleshy outer seed coat (sarcotesta) — CAUTION: contains ginkgolic acids, causes severe contact dermatitis (similar to poison ivy), wear gloves. Crack or boil the hard inner stone (the actual 'nut') until soft (10–15 min). Traditionally used in Japanese and Chinese cuisine in dishes such as chawanmushi, congee, as garnish with sushi/sashimi, briefly pan-roasted, or grilled in the shell. Raw seeds contain 4'-O-methylpyridoxine (MPN, 'ginkgotoxin') — neurotoxic in larger amounts (seizures possible). MAXIMUM for adults: no more than 5–10 cooked nuts per day. Children, pregnant women, and people with epilepsy or vitamin B6 deficiency: NO ginkgo nuts.

  Sources: [4] [5] [8]

• TinctureLeafInternalFolk medicine

  Folk ginkgo tincture for mental exhaustion and poor concentration — non-standardised, lower evidence level than EGb 761.

  Preparation & dosage

  FOLK GINKGO TINCTURE (1:5 in 50–60 % ethanol): 1–2 ml (~20–40 drops) 3× daily in water or juice. Folk use for mental exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, and general circulatory weakness. Not equivalent to standardised extracts — no defined flavonol glycoside content. Do not combine with anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents without medical advice. Never use in children. Due to ethanol content, avoid in alcohol dependence, liver disease, or epilepsy.

  Liquid amount

  1–2 ml

  Doses per day

  3×

  Max duration

  8 weeks

  Sources: [5] [7]

• TeaLeafInternalFolk medicine

  TCM-inspired leaf infusion for respiratory complaints and cough — limited Western evidence; do not discontinue prescribed asthma medications without medical advice.

  Preparation & dosage

  FOLK RESPIRATORY INFUSION: 1–2 g dried ginkgo leaves in 200 ml hot water, steep 8 min, strain. 2× daily. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ginkgo leaves and seeds are used for asthma, chronic cough and whooping cough — terpene lactones (especially bilobalide) are said to have bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical evidence for this indication in Western phytotherapy is limited. Do not use as substitute for prescribed asthma medications.

  Dry amount

  1–2 g

  Doses per day

  2×

  Max duration

  4 weeks

  Sources: [4] [5]

IMPORTANT: Ginkgo leaf extracts (especially EGb 761) can inhibit platelet aggregation and increase bleeding risk — always inform physician before surgery, dental procedures, and when taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents (warfarin, phenprocoumon, aspirin, clopidogrel, heparin). Fresh ginkgo seed coat (sarcotesta) contains ginkgolic acids — potent allergen causing contact dermatitis (similar to poison ivy/Anacardiaceae). Wear gloves when handling fresh fruits/seeds. Ginkgo seeds (nuts) contain ginkgotoxin (4'-O-methylpyridoxine) — neurotoxic in large amounts, seizures possible in children and adults. Consume only cooked and in small amounts (max. 5–10 nuts/day for adults). Epilepsy, vitamin B6 deficiency, pregnancy, and children: strictly avoid seeds.

⏱ Max continuous use: 24 weeks