Research synthesisModerate evidenceSmall effect7 studies · 5 beneficial · 2 neutral · 0 harmful
Across 7 studies, 5 reported beneficial effects of Ginkgo on cognitive function, with effect sizes predominantly small, though some moderate effects were observed in clinical populations. The strongest evidence comes from a 2025 systematic review of 599 patients with vascular cognitive impairment, showing a small but significant improvement in MoCA scores (MD=1.29, 95% CI: 1.24, 1.35). Median study duration was 70 days, suggesting effects typically require several weeks of use.
- Effective dose range: 240 mg daily (based on one systematic review reporting this dose)
- Studied populations: elderly adults (aged 50-90), patients with vascular cognitive impairment or post-stroke cognitive impairment, patients with mild to moderate dementia and history of cerebral infarction, patients with Parkinson's disease
Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Many studies did not specify a form (e.g., standardized extract EGb 761), making it unclear whether effects generalize to all Ginkgo products. Most high-quality evidence comes from clinical populations, so benefit in healthy adults is less certain.
Generated Jun 11, 2026