Ginkgo Biloba Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
Key takeaways:
Ginkgo biloba is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) supplement. People often take it to improve memory, lessen anxiety, and protect the heart. But it’s not an FDA-approved medication, so there aren’t regulated dosing guidelines for taking it.
Most clinical studies use a standardized ginkgo biloba extract known as EGb71. The most common ginkgo biloba dosages (in the form of EGb71) for adults are 40 mg three times daily or 80 mg twice daily. Doses over 240 mg daily aren’t recommended.
Ginkgo biloba is generally safe and well tolerated. But doses over 240 mg daily are more likely to cause serious side effects and drug interactions. Be sure to review your medication list with your pharmacist or healthcare provider to make sure ginkgo is a safe supplement option for you.
Table of contents
With deep roots in traditional Chinese medicine, ginkgo biloba is an herbal supplement that comes from the leaves of the ginkgo tree. It’s a popular over-the-counter (OTC) supplement that’s thought to improve memory and prevent dementia. But people also take it to help manage anxiety and protect the heart, among other uses.
Below, we’ll review the most common ginkgo biloba dosages for adults and children. Keep in mind that ginkgo biloba isn’t an FDA-approved medication. And even though it’s a natural supplement, there are still side effects and risks to be aware of when taking it. So be sure to talk with your healthcare provider before starting a ginkgo biloba supplement.
How are ginkgo biloba doses measured?
Ginkgo biloba leaves contain several different active ingredients. These include:
Terpenoids: Terpenes and terpenoids are the essential oils found in plants. They contribute to the taste and smell of the plant. And they can have medicinal effects, too.
Flavonoid glycosides: Flavonoids are chemicals found in plants (phytochemicals). They have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. And they may help protect against heart disease and cancer.
Organic acids: These chemicals also have a strong antioxidant effect and may help protect against cancer.
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The amount of these compounds varies in nature. So most products on the market use a standard ginkgo biloba extract called EGb 761. It’s produced from the leaves of young ginkgo trees, which have more active ingredients than older trees.
EGb 761 contains:
6% terpenoids
5% to 24% flavonoid glycosides
10% organic acids
Most clinical studies on ginkgo biloba use the EGb 761 extract.
What’s the typical ginkgo biloba dosage for adults?
The most common ginkgo biloba dosages recommended for adults are 40 mg three times a day or 80 mg twice daily.
Your provider may recommend a different dosage for your specific needs. Clinical studies have looked at oral ginkgo biloba dosages ranging from 80 mg to 720 mg daily. But doses over 240 mg per day aren’t recommended due to an increased risk of side effects and drug interactions at higher doses.
What’s the typical ginkgo biloba dosage for children?
Ginkgo biloba isn’t recommended for children. There are very few studies on the safety and efficacy of ginkgo biloba in children. Most studies focus on ginkgo biloba for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder. Ginkgo doses ranged from 80 mg to 120 mg daily in most studies. And no serious adverse events were reported. But there isn’t enough data to show that it’s effective for either health condition.
If you’re considering an herbal supplement for your child, it’s best to talk to their healthcare provider first. Medications or supplements that have been proven safe and effective for children are likely a better option.
Do you need to take ginkgo biloba every day?
Probably. Most studies look at ginkgo’s effects over weeks or months. This is because many of the actions of ginkgo in the body take place over time. What’s more, it may take 4 to 6 weeks for ginkgo’s effects to be noticeable. So taking it every now and then isn’t likely to give the same results.
What should you look for when buying ginkgo biloba?
When choosing a ginkgo biloba supplement, there are four ideal steps to follow:
Look for a third-party certification listed on the bottle. These include a United States Pharmacopeia (USP) or National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) symbol. These symbols indicate the manufacturer has taken extra steps to make sure the product meets purity and potency standards.
Check the active ingredients listed on the bottle. You’ll want to ensure you get a product that uses the EGb 761 extract. It may be listed by name, or as “standardized ginkgo extract.” Look at the amount of EGb 761 per serving to see if it matches the dosage recommended by your pharmacist or provider.
See if any other active ingredients are listed. In most cases, a supplement that only includes ginkgo is best. If there’s more than one active ingredient, check with your pharmacist or provider to make sure all of the ingredients are safe for you.
Don’t forget to look at the inactive ingredients list. This will include things like gluten or lactose, which some people are sensitive to. It can also include gelatin, which you may choose to avoid if you’re a vegetarian or vegan.
Ginkgo biloba supplements come in many different dosage forms. These include:
Capsules
Tablets
Liquid tinctures or extracts
Powders
Teas
Most studies on ginkgo biloba use oral capsules or tablets. But as long as the product contains EGb 761 and you know how much to take to get the recommended dosage, it’s likely fine to try. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask for help — especially if you’re taking other medications or have chronic health conditions. Your pharmacist can be a great resource to help you find a trustworthy brand of ginkgo biloba.
How much ginkgo biloba is too much?
Doses over 240 mg daily of ginkgo biloba aren’t recommended. It’s generally safe and well-tolerated at lower doses. Side effects are usually mild and include headache, nausea, and dizziness. However, taking more than 240 mg per day of ginkgo extract can lead to more serious side effects, such as bleeding, seizures, or serotonin syndrome.
Taking higher doses of ginkgo biloba also makes drug interactions more likely. So be sure to review your medication list with your provider before you start taking ginkgo to make sure you choose a dosage that’s safe for you.
Keep in mind that since supplements aren’t well-regulated, you may take too much ginkgo without knowing it. So pay attention to how you’re feeling while you’re taking ginkgo and report any side effects to your provider.
If you or your child takes too much ginkgo, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or call your provider. If any serious or life-threatening side effects appear, seek emergency care right away.
Good to know: Ginkgo biloba seeds are toxic and shouldn’t be consumed. Only extract from ginkgo leaves is safe to take as a supplement.
The bottom line
Ginkgo biloba is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) herbal supplement. But it’s not an FDA-approved medication, so there aren’t standard dosing recommendations for taking it. The most common ginkgo biloba dosages are 40 mg three times a day or 80 mg twice a day. Doses over 240 mg daily aren’t recommended. And ginkgo biloba isn’t recommended for children.
Most clinical studies used a standardized ginkgo biloba extract called EGb 761. So it’s best to look for an OTC product that contains this extract for more reliable results. You should also look for products with a third-party certification to help ensure the quality of the supplement you’re taking. And be sure to get your pharmacist or healthcare provider’s OK before starting a ginkgo biloba supplement. They can make sure it’s safe for you and recommend a dosage and product that’s specific for your needs.
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References
Biernacka, P., et al. (2023). The potential of Ginkgo biloba as a source of biologically active compounds—a review of the recent literature and patents. Molecules.
DeFilippis, M. (2018). The use of complementary alternative medicine in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Psychopharmacology Bulletin.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. (n.d.). Ginkgo biloba.
Masyita, A., et al. (2022). Terpenes and terpenoids as main bioactive compounds of essential oils, their roles in human health and potential application as natural food preservatives. Food Chemistry X.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2020). Ginkgo. National Institutes of Health.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2024). 9 things to know about complementary health approaches for ADHD for children and teens. National Institutes of Health.
Nguyen, T., et al. (2023). Ginkgo biloba. StatPearls.
Noor-E-Tabassum et al. (2022). Ginkgo biloba: A treasure of functional phytochemicals with multimedicinal applications. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Unger, M. (2013). Pharmacokinetic drug interactions involving Ginkgo biloba. Drug Metabolism Reviews.
