Ginkgo biloba is one of the most widely used herbal supplements in the world. For many years, it has been marketed as a natural way to support memory, improve thinking, and protect brain health.
Many people take it hoping it will help prevent memory loss as they age. However, scientific evidence about its effectiveness has often been unclear or inconsistent.
Now a large new analysis of research studies offers a clearer picture of what Ginkgo biloba may—and may not—be able to do. The updated review found that the supplement may provide small, short-term improvements for people who already have dementia, but it appears to offer little or no benefit for other groups with milder cognitive problems.
The study was led by researchers at Georgetown University School of Medicine and carried out by an international team of scientists from the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Singapore, and Taiwan. Their findings were published on February 5, 2026, in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, one of the most respected sources of evidence-based medical research.
The research team conducted a systematic review, which means they carefully collected and analyzed results from many different studies to draw overall conclusions. They searched major medical databases and clinical trial registries through November 2024.
In total, the researchers identified 82 studies involving 10,613 participants. More than half of the trials—52 studies—were published in Chinese scientific journals. The team also included some previously unpublished data from clinical studies in order to make the analysis as complete as possible.
According to the lead author, Dr. L. Susan Wieland, director of the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field and an adjunct professor in Georgetown’s Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, it is important to carefully study widely used supplements like Ginkgo biloba.
As populations around the world age, the number of people living with memory problems and dementia continues to grow. Many people turn to herbal supplements in the hope of protecting their brain health, but reliable evidence is needed to guide those choices.
The researchers examined the effects of Ginkgo biloba in several different groups of people. These included individuals who had memory complaints but no medical diagnosis, people with mild cognitive impairment, people with cognitive problems related to multiple sclerosis, and people diagnosed with dementia.
Cognitive impairment refers to difficulties with thinking, memory, learning, or decision-making. These problems can also affect mood and behavior. Dementia is a more severe form of cognitive impairment that interferes with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.
Although certain medications can help reduce symptoms of dementia, there are currently no treatments that can stop or reverse the disease itself.
The review mainly compared Ginkgo biloba with placebo treatments, which are inactive pills used for comparison in clinical trials. The researchers also looked at studies where the supplement was used alongside standard medical treatments.
For people diagnosed with dementia, the results suggested that taking Ginkgo biloba for about six months may lead to modest improvements. Participants who took the supplement showed some improvements in overall condition, cognitive function, and their ability to perform everyday activities compared with those taking a placebo.
However, the researchers noted that the results varied widely between studies. Some trials showed stronger benefits than others, and many studies had weaknesses in their design or methods. Because of these limitations, the researchers say their confidence in the results is only moderate.
For people with milder memory problems, the findings were less encouraging.
Among individuals with mild cognitive impairment, Ginkgo biloba probably made little or no difference after six months of use. Mild cognitive impairment is often considered an early stage of memory decline, but not everyone with this condition goes on to develop dementia.
The supplement also did not appear to help people who experienced cognitive problems related to multiple sclerosis. In these cases, the studies showed that Ginkgo biloba likely did not improve thinking ability over a three-month period.
For people who simply felt concerned about their memory but had no diagnosis of cognitive impairment, the evidence remained unclear. Some studies suggested possible benefits, while others showed no meaningful effects.
The review also looked closely at safety. Across studies involving dementia and mild cognitive impairment, the researchers found little or no difference in serious side effects between people taking Ginkgo biloba and those taking placebo treatments.
This suggests that the supplement is generally safe when used in the short term. However, most of the studies lasted only about six months, so the long-term safety of regular Ginkgo biloba use remains uncertain.
Dr. Hakima Amri, the senior author of the study and director of Georgetown’s Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences program, emphasized that complementary therapies such as herbal supplements should be evaluated with the same scientific standards used for conventional medicines.
She said that careful research helps both doctors and patients make better decisions about whether these products are truly helpful.
The authors of the review also noted that the previous major Cochrane review of Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment was published in 2009. Since then, many additional studies have been conducted, making an updated analysis necessary.
Overall, the review suggests that Ginkgo biloba may provide small benefits for some people already living with dementia, at least in the short term. However, the supplement does not appear to significantly help people with milder cognitive problems or those simply worried about their memory.
The researchers say more well-designed clinical trials are needed, particularly studies that last longer than six months. These future trials could help determine whether Ginkgo biloba might have a meaningful role in managing dementia or other cognitive disorders.
For now, the findings provide clearer guidance for clinicians and patients who are considering the use of this popular herbal supplement.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about dietary strategies to ward off dementia, and how omega-3 fatty acids fuel your mind.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Choline deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and what to eat (and avoid) for dementia prevention.
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