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Ginkgo biloba extract is widely used in Europe for the treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer’s and non-Alzheimer’s variety, as well as for elderly patients who do not satisfy the complete criteria for dementia but who present a few typical symptoms. Gingko extract may also be helpful for ordinary age-related memory loss. Full effects may require 12 weeks of treatment.

Germany’s Commission E also recommends ginkgo extract as an adjunct to physical therapy for Fontaine stage II peripheral arterial disease to improve pain-free walking ability. Improvement requires a minimum of 6 weeks of treatment.

Double-blind placebo-controlled trials suggest that ginkgo might be helpful for tinnitus and also for balance disorders.

One double-blind placebo-controlled study found ginkgo effective for preventing altitude sickness and perhaps frostbite as well. There is a similar level of evidence for ginkgo as a treatment for PMS symptoms and depression in the elderly.

Case reports and highly preliminary studies suggest that the herb ginkgo might help reduce the sexual side effects of SSRIs, including impotence in men and inability to achieve orgasm in women [Cohen, 1996; Cohen, 1997; Cohen and Bartlik, 1998; Cohen et al., 1997; McCann, 1997]. Because sexual dysfunction is a major deterrent to patient compliance with the SSRI antidepressants, this potential effect of ginkgo is being investigated more thoroughly.

Weak and in some cases contradictory evidence suggests that ginkgo extract might be helpful for macular degeneration, diabetic microvascular disease, asthma, cochlear deafness, erectile dysfunction, and allergies [De Feudis, 1991; Sikora et al., 1989].

Highly preliminary Chinese research suggests that ginkgo might improve the effectiveness and tolerability of neuroleptics in the treatment of schizophrenia [Liu et al., 1997].