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Botanical / Cognitive

Ginkgo biloba · Standardized Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (EGb 761-type)

5+ year trials in 5,900+ older adults: does not prevent dementia.

D
Evidence grade
Mostly animal

Short answer

One of the best-selling cognition supplements with the clearest negative evidence. Do not take it for prevention or healthy focus/memory. Possible small symptomatic benefit in diagnosed dementia at 240 mg/day only.

Product and dose overview

Ginkgo biloba (Standardized Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (EGb 761-type)) is a botanical / cognitive with evidence grade D, meaning it is primarily supported by animal studies. We track 1 products containing Ginkgo biloba. Typical doses range from 120 to 120 mg per serving. The top-ranked product scores 5.3 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $39.00 per month.

Evidence grade: D Products in database: 1 Category: Botanical / Cognitive

Top Ginkgo biloba products

ProductBrandDosePrice/mo3rd-party testedScore
Ginkgo Biloba Certified Extract 120 mgLife Extension120 mg$39.00Yes5.3

Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard. See how we score.

What it is

Standardized ginkgo leaf extract (24% flavone glycosides, 6% terpene lactones, low ginkgolic acid) at 240 mg/day. Leaf powder products are not equivalent.

Why people take it

GEM (N=3,069, median 6.1 years) did not reduce dementia or Alzheimer's incidence. GuidAge (N=2,854, 5 years) did not reduce progression to Alzheimer's. A 2026 Cochrane review finds little or no MCI benefit and at most small symptomatic dementia effects.

Our verdict

One of the best-selling cognition supplements with the clearest negative evidence. Do not take it for prevention or healthy focus/memory. Possible small symptomatic benefit in diagnosed dementia at 240 mg/day only.

Structure & class

EGb 761-type extract; platelet-activating-factor signaling, vascular tone and antioxidant pathways.

Mechanism & clinical data

Two flagship prevention RCTs null (PMID 19017911, 22959217). Cochrane 2026: little/no MCI effect, small symptomatic dementia effects at best (PMID 41641880). Meta-analysis of 21 trials, N=2,561, found no significant cognitive benefit (PMID 25114079).

Pharmacokinetics

Ginkgolide/terpene lactones cleared within hours; chronic extract effects.

Dose & forms

Trial dose
240 mg
/ day
Range in trials
120 to 240 mg
/ day
Common forms
EGb 761 (Tebonin), Nature's Way Ginkgold, Life Extension Certified Extract

What to watch out for

Bleeding risk with warfarin, antiplatelets and NSAIDs. Avoid before surgery. Seeds (not leaf extract) are toxic. Avoid with seizure disorders and efavirenz.

Where this dose comes from

The trial dose above is our editorial pick from the published human trials for this ingredient. We choose the dose that the best-available studies used on the endpoint most relevant to longevity. The range shows the lowest and highest doses tested in published trials. The landmark studies below are the papers we read to set it. You can click through and check our work.

When new trials publish, our automated sweeps flag them. If a new study materially changes the dose, we update it through editorial review and record the old dose, new dose, and the triggering study in every affected product's recommendation history. The dose is never changed automatically.

Regulatory status

EUHerbal medicinal product (DE)
USDietary supplement
UKHerbal supplement
CANHP

Timeline

Regulatory events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Ginkgo biloba, most recent first. Studies link to the paper; regulatory entries name and link the responsible authority.

  • 2026 Research milestone
    Wieland et al. 2026 (Cochrane)
    Ginkgo probably has little or no effect on global status, cognition or daily living in MCI; at most small symptomatic dementia effects.
    Source →
  • 2025-04 Regulatory single source
    EU Court sharpens the bar for botanical health claims
    A Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in April 2025 further tightened the requirements for how botanical ingredients (herbs, plant extracts) can be marketed with health claims in the EU, effectively removing much of the flexibility of the on-hold list.
  • 2024-06 Regulatory confirmed
    EU report identifies 117 supplement substances as potential health risks
    The HoA Working Group on Food Supplements (26 European countries) published its first report evaluating 117 substances used in food supplements. Of these, 65 were assessed as likely novel foods, 6 were already regulated, 34 had insufficient data, and 12 were prioritized for Article 8 restriction under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006. The 12 priority substances include ashwagandha, curcumin, melatonin, piperine, St. John's wort, coumarin, p-synephrine, maca, holy basil, Melaleuca, black cohosh, and L-tryptophan. The report drew on 1,500 RASFF alerts reviewed between 2017 and mid-2022.
    Source →
  • 2015 Research milestone
    Tan et al. 2015 (meta-analysis)
    21 trials, N=2,561: no significant cognitive benefit overall.
    Source →
  • 2012 Research milestone
    Vellas et al. 2012 (GuidAge)
    N=2,854 adults 70+, 5 years: probable Alzheimer's disease not reduced (HR 0.84, p=0.306).
    Source →
  • 2008 Research milestone
    DeKosky et al. 2008 (GEM)
    N=3,069 adults 75+, 240 mg/day, median 6.1 years: dementia incidence not reduced (HR 1.12).
    Source →
  • 2006-12 Regulatory confirmed
    EU Health Claims Regulation adopted
    Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 laid down harmonised rules for nutrition and health claims made on foods, including supplements. Only claims listed in the EU Register of authorised claims can be used. Rejected botanical claims are held in a separate on-hold list.
    Source →
  • 1997 Regulatory confirmed
    EU introduces the Novel Food Regulation
    Regulation (EC) No 258/97 required any food or food ingredient without a history of consumption in the EU before 15 May 1997 to be authorised before being placed on the market. This is the framework that captures NMN, spermidine as a supplement ingredient, urolithin A, and many other longevity actives.
    Source →

Landmark studies

Found in these products (1)

All products in our catalog that contain Ginkgo biloba, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.

Cognition
Active per serving
Ginkgo biloba 120 mgCapsule · 365 servings
Price per serving
$0.11$39.00 · 365 servings
Testing
3rd-party listed · public lab certificate

Daily use may exceed one serving

Status as recorded in the catalog from brand materials; not independently verified by NO1GEVITY.

Score & research context 5.3/10

Editorial score, not proof that this product works. Research-dose calculations are not dosing advice.

100%
of trial dose
$0.21
per research-dose day, not label serving
0Trial dose2×
Catalog price · Confirm current price with www.lifeextension.com
Editorial guides

Buying guides and comparisons

Neighbouring molecules

Related ingredients

See all in Botanical / Cognitive →

Molecules in the same class, plus the actives most often formulated alongside Ginkgo biloba in our catalogue.

Nothing else in the database sits close enough to this molecule to list.

Product shelves
See all in Cognition (1)

See Ginkgo biloba in context: the mechanism it acts through, the biomarker it moves, the products that dose it, and the trials that tested it.

View Ginkgo biloba on the Longevity Map →

Frequently asked questions

What is Ginkgo biloba?

Standardized ginkgo leaf extract (24% flavone glycosides, 6% terpene lactones, low ginkgolic acid) at 240 mg/day. Leaf powder products are not equivalent.

What dose of Ginkgo biloba should I take?

The trial dose in published human studies is 240 mg per day, with a range of 120 to 240 mg per day. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement.

Is Ginkgo biloba safe?

Bleeding risk with warfarin, antiplatelets and NSAIDs. Avoid before surgery. Seeds (not leaf extract) are toxic. Avoid with seizure disorders and efavirenz.

What is the best Ginkgo biloba supplement?

We track 1 products containing Ginkgo biloba. The top-ranked product scores 5.3 out of 10 on our composite scale, which evaluates dose, evidence, price, third-party testing, and transparency. See the comparison table above. Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard.

What is the evidence grade for Ginkgo biloba?

Ginkgo biloba has evidence grade D, meaning it is primarily supported by animal studies. Grade A means replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints. Grade B means human RCTs with biomarker outcomes. Grade C means mixed or small human trials. See our evidence grading methodology.

Independently checked

Data verification

Evidence grade
D
Mostly animal
Research dose
240 mg
Verified 2026-09-04
Products tracked
1
Updated continuously
Safety signal
Bleeding risk with warfarin, antiplatelets and NSAIDs. Av...
Verified 2026-09-04

Evidence grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new products are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.