Ginkgo leaves were originally applied as a topical skin treatment. The medicinal properties of the leaf extract when taken orally are what have made ginkgo one of the best selling herbal dietary supplements.[1]

 

Although it grows in your backyard, the leaf extracts are recommended to be pharmacologically standardized to deliver the most benefits.  Tea made from the leaves does not contain enough of the active ingredients (Ginkgo flavone glycocydes and terpene lactone) to be as effective.  Ginkgo is one botanical that is difficult to produce as a home remedy because the active photochemical need to be extracted.  It takes an estimated 50 fresh leaves to yield one standard dose of the extract.[2] Herbalists may have a different opinion on the preparation of Ginkgo biloba.  

 

Recommended doses may vary according to what is stated by your personal health care professional as well as the particularly disease being treated and its severity.   A “standard” daily dose is anywhere from 40-120 mg of Ginkgo Extract (GBE) per day. Standard GBE contains at least 24% flavone glycides (to maximize the herb’s antioxidant

and anti-clotting potential) and 6% terpene lactones (for improved blood flow and nerve protection).

 

Nutritional supplement: 40 mg GBE 3 times per day

           

Alzheimer’s disease: 80 – 240 mg GBE 2-3 times per day

            Asthma: 40 mg GBE 3 times per day when asthma is acute

            Allergies:  40 mg GBE 3 times per day or 60 mg GBE 2 times per day.

            Eyes: 40-60 mg of GBE 2-3 times per day

            Depression:  60 mg GBE 2 times per day

            Impotence:  60 mg 3 times per day

            Stroke:  80 mg GBE 3 times per day

            Tinnitus:  80 mg GBE 3 times per day

 

The dosage amounts of other forms of Ginkgo besides GBE are not as well established.  The doses would vary as did the doses of GBE.  As was stated before, studies show that other forms are not as effective in treatments but can be used.  A daily dose would be similar to GBE as it would be consistent with taking doses 2-3 times daily as a tonic.

 

There are few known reports of the use of Ginkgo in Pediatric use of ginkgo.  Therefore it is not currently recommended for children.  On the contrary, side effects are rare.  Because of the general overall safety of the herb, it may be used for children (with smaller doses) in certain and necessary cases.

 

It commonly takes four to six weeks, and in some cases up till twelve weeks, to notice the herbs effects.