Ginkgo and Improved Cognitive Function

Research synthesisModerate evidenceMixed effect size9 studies · 7 beneficial · 2 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 9 studies, 7 reported beneficial effects of ginkgo on cognitive function, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate (mixed). The most studied dose was 240 mg daily (standardized extract EGb 761), and effects were observed primarily in elderly clinical populations with mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or post-stroke cognitive impairment. Median study duration was 70 days, but only 2 of 9 studies reported duration.

Effective dose range: 240 mg daily
Studied populations: elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or post-stroke cognitive impairment

Caveats: The highest-quality study (systematic review, n=3582) found neutral effects, suggesting possible publication bias toward positive results. Many studies were reviews or combined ginkgo with other interventions, making it difficult to isolate ginkgo's independent effect. Effect sizes varied substantially (small to large) across studies, and only 2 of 9 studies reported treatment duration, limiting conclusions about optimal length of use.

Generated Jul 18, 2026

Doses used in studies

mg/day: 120–450 (median 262.5, IQR 150–397.5) — 2 studies

Time to effect

Median: 10 weeks · IQR 9 weeks–11 weeks · Range 8 weeks–2.8 months — Reported in 2 of 9 studies

Safety in these studies

Overall tolerabilityNo significant difference
No differences between EGb 761 treatment and placebo were seen with regard to the rates of adverse events.
from: Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761 in the Treatment of Patients with Mild Neurocognitive Impair
Overall tolerabilityReported
The drug was safe and well tolerated.
from: Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761 in the Treatment of Patients with Mild Neurocognitive Impair

9 of 9 papersPopulation:

Natural Products in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms.
- 2025-10-31
- Systematic Review · n = 3,582
- International journal of molecular sciences 26(21)
- - Maria T Bayo Jimenez
  - Lorenzo Rivas-García
  - Cristina Sánchez-González
  - Giuseppe Grosso
  - Vivian Lipari
  - Laura Vera-Ramírez
  - Maurizio Battino
  - Francesca Giampieri
  - José L Quiles
  - Tamara Y Forbes-Hernández
- PubMed: 41226670
- DOI: 10.3390/ijms262110631
1 Insight on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Elderly
resveratrol showed mixed outcomes with some side effects
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Network meta-analysis of the efficacy of pharmacological treatments for post-stroke cognitive impairment and vascular cognitive impairment.
- 2025-12-01
- Systematic Review · n = 599
- Frontiers in neurology 16
- - Wenting Li
  - Xinyu Liu
  - Cong Gao
  - Wenbo Li
  - Xiaoling Liao
- PubMed: 41404461
- DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1683496
1 Insight on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- High evidence
- Clinical
For the secondary outcome, the MoCA assessment showed that Ginkgo biloba extract significantly improved Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores compared to placebo (MD = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.24, 1.35)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in patients with dementia and a history of cerebral infarction-meta-analysis of pooled data from randomised clinical trials.
- 2026-03-13
- Systematic Review · n = 488
- Frontiers in neurology 16
- - Jing-Xuan Feng
  - Man-Qi Zheng
  - Xue Tian
  - Andrea Zimmermann
  - An-Xin Wang
  - Xia Meng
- PubMed: 41908799
- DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1658064
3 Insights on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- High evidence
- Clinical
Significant treatment effects of 240 mg EGb 761 daily versus placebo were found for cognition (p = 0.0467)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Dose
240 mg daily
Effects of natural extracts in cognitive function of healthy adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
- 2025-03-27
- Systematic Review
- Frontiers in pharmacology 16
- - Zhi-Yuan Wang
  - Ya-Lu Deng
  - Ting-Yuan Zhou
  - Yi Liu
  - Yu Cao
- PubMed: 40213691
- DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1573034
3 Insights on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- High evidence
- Adults
CG (Cistanche + Ginkgo biloba) was most effective for executive function (SUCRA: 96.9%).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
The impact of nimodipine combined with Ginkgo biloba extract on cognitive function and ADL scores in patients with Parkinson's disease: A retrospective study.
- 2024-07-01
- Observational · n = 551
- Medicine 103(29)
- - Lianlian Zhang
  - Hua Sun
  - Zaigang Han
- PubMed: 39029001
- DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038720
3 Insights on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- High evidence
- Clinical
after treatment, the observation group showed higher Mini-Mental State Examination ... scores compared to the control group (P < .05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761 in the Treatment of Patients with Mild Neurocognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review.
- 2023-03-23
- Review · n = 946
- Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment 19
- - Jakub Hort
  - Thomas Duning
  - Robert Hoerr
- PubMed: 36994422
- DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s401231
10 Insights on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- High evidence
- Clinical
Beneficial effects of EGb 761 were seen in neuropsychological tests (8 of 9 studies)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Evaluating dosing guidelines for Ginkgo biloba: An evidence-based approach to standardisation.
- 2026-11
- Review
- Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP 171
- - Reenen Eugen Herbst
  - Niël de Beer
- PubMed: 42269907
- DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2026.106164
1 Insight on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- Low evidence
higher doses (≥240 mg/day) consistently linked to improved cognitive outcomes in symptomatic populations
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Significant
Yes
Dose
120 to 450 mg/day
Medicinal Plants for Child Mental Health: Clinical Insights, Active Compounds, and Perspectives for Rational Use.
- 2025-08-28
- Review
- Children (Basel, Switzerland) 12(9)
- - Giovanna Rigillo
  - Joan M C Blom
  - Arianna Cocchi
  - Valentina Martinucci
  - Francesca Favaro
  - Giulia Baini
  - Giorgio Cappellucci
  - Fabio Tascedda
  - Marco Biagi
- PubMed: 41007011
- DOI: 10.3390/children12091142
6 Insights on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- Low evidence
- Children
Herbal products showing clinical promise include Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., Crocus sativus L., Ginkgo biloba L., Hypericum perforatum L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Melissa officinalis L., Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Passiflora incarnata L., Pinus pinaster Aiton, Valeriana officinalis L., and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Can supplementation with antioxidants improve cognitive functions in patients with multiple sclerosis? A literature review.
- 2025-04-16
- Review
- Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) 87(5)
- - Ali Rezaei
  - Majid Hamidi
  - Homa Seyedmirzaei
  - Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi
- PubMed: 40337414
- DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000003124
1 Insight on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- Low evidence
This review discusses trials evaluating the effects of supplementation with various antioxidants, including Ginkgo biloba, melatonin, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, N-acetylcysteine, lipoic acid, xanthophylls, and crocin, on cognitive performance.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No