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What are the benefits and side effects of Ginkgo biloba? Does it cause high blood pressure?
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The dried leaf of the ginkgo tree has been used in medicine for thousands of years. More than 400 studies over the past 30 years have investigated its ability to improve blood flow in a variety of conditions including memory impairment, dementia, peripheral vascular diseases, and tinnitus. The results have shown modest improvements, not to some remarkable levels. The results much depend on the patient's psychological framework.
In general, it is well tolerated. Allergic skin reactions, gastrointestinal upsets, and headaches occur in fewer than 2% of patients. There are theoretical concerns about a risk of increased bleeding because of inhibition of platelet activating factor. Although no bleeding complications have been reported in any clinical trials, caution should be exercised when taking ginkgo with aspirin, warfarin, or other anticoagulant. No effects on blood pressure have been documented.
Ginkgo biloba is said to have neutral effects on blood pressure. However, there are reports suggesting that it may have antihypertensive actions.
In a study on healthy, young volunteers, ginkgo in a dose of 120 mg given twice daily for seven days was not found to have any immediate or short term effects on systolic or diastolic blood pressure.1 In a randomised, double blind trial a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure was reported in elderly patients with age related cognitive dysfunction who were given an extract of ginkgo (GB-8) for three months.2 In one study on healthy volunteers, a single treatment with an extract of ginkgo (EGb 761, 120 mg) was found to reduce stress induced rise in blood pressure without affecting the heart rate.3
I started taking gingko before exams as it had been suggested that it helped memory, and I have noticed that, since starting it, I have not had a migraine. This is, of course, a purely anecdotal benefit, but it worked for me.
