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Herbal medicines and memory

Ginkgo biloba for memory and dementia: what the evidence shows

Ginkgo biloba is one of the most widely sold herbal supplements for memory and concentration. A recent Cochrane review of 82 studies found uncertain or little benefit for people who are worried about their memory or have mild cognitive impairment, and possible but inconsistent benefit in dementia. This guide sets out what that means and how to get memory worries checked.

Last checked: 2026-10-10

Key facts

At a glance.

  • Large review, mixed results

    A Cochrane review found 82 studies including 10,613 people who were worried about thinking, had mild cognitive impairment, dementia or thinking problems linked to multiple sclerosis.

  • Worried about memory

    For people who are worried about their thinking or memory, Cochrane says it is uncertain whether ginkgo is better than placebo at six months.

  • Mild cognitive impairment

    For mild cognitive impairment, Cochrane says ginkgo probably makes little or no difference to overall condition, thinking skills or everyday tasks at six months.

  • Dementia

    For dementia, Cochrane says ginkgo may be better than placebo at six months, but individual studies had very different estimates, making firm conclusions difficult.

  • Harms

    Cochrane says that, in studies of mild cognitive impairment or dementia, there is probably no increased risk of harm with ginkgo compared with placebo.

What ginkgo biloba is

Ginkgo biloba is the plant source of a standardised herbal extract that is sold in capsules and tablets, often marketed to support memory and concentration. Cochrane describes it as medicine based on the plant Ginkgo biloba and tested in studies of people with thinking problems.

Like other herbal products, ginkgo is sold as a supplement or a traditional herbal medicine. The NHS says herbal medicines and complementary therapies are not tested in the same way as standard medicines to see how well they work, and that they are not available on the NHS.

What the Cochrane review found

Cochrane reviews are systematic summaries of all the good-quality trials on a question. Its review of ginkgo for cognitive impairment and dementia is current to November 2024 and included 82 studies with 10,613 people, with more than half of the studies conducted in China. Studies lasted at least three months and compared ginkgo with placebo, with other medicines, or added it to other treatments.

The results differ by group. For people who were simply worried about their thinking or memory, it is uncertain whether ginkgo improves their overall condition at six months. For people with cognitive problems linked to multiple sclerosis, ginkgo probably makes little or no difference to thinking skills after three months. For mild cognitive impairment, it probably makes little or no difference at six months to overall condition, thinking skills or everyday tasks.

For people diagnosed with dementia, treatment for six months may lead to some improvements in overall condition, thinking skills and everyday tasks. However, Cochrane stresses that individual studies gave very different estimates and that many studies had methodological problems, so it is harder to be confident. Few studies tested ginkgo for dementia beyond six months, so the effects of longer use are unknown.

Summary of Cochrane findings for ginkgo biloba
Group studiedFinding at 3 to 6 monthsConfidence
Worried about memory or thinkingUncertain whether better than placeboUncertain
Cognitive problems with multiple sclerosisProbably little or no difference to thinkingProbable
Mild cognitive impairmentProbably little or no differenceProbable
DementiaMay lead to some improvement, but studies varied widelyLimited

Safety and interactions

In the trials, Cochrane found there is probably little or no difference between ginkgo and placebo in the risk of any harms up to 12 months in mild cognitive impairment and dementia, and little to no difference in serious harms. One study of people worried about their memory reported more overall harms over three months, so the picture is not completely uniform.

Safety in a trial does not cover every situation. The NHS advises that you should not take herbal medicines if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have kidney or liver problems, or take certain medicines. It names statins, antidepressants, diabetes medicines, blood pressure medicines, blood thinners such as warfarin and hormonal contraception as medicines that do not mix well with herbal medicines. Always ask a pharmacist before starting one.

The NHS also recommends that herbal medicines carry a traditional herbal registration (THR) mark and a product code from the MHRA, and that you should not buy unlicensed herbal medicines online.

If you are worried about your memory

Memory changes can have many causes, including stress, low mood, poor sleep, medicines and physical illness as well as dementia. Cochrane notes that no available treatment has been proven to stop or slow the progression of cognitive impairment or dementia, while cholinesterase inhibitors may improve symptoms and non-medicine therapies may also help.

The NHS advises seeing a GP if you think you have early symptoms of dementia, especially if you are over 65. It says the GP can do simple checks to look for the cause and can refer you to a memory clinic or another specialist for further tests. If you are worried about someone else, it suggests encouraging them to make an appointment and perhaps going with them.

Taking a supplement should not delay that assessment. The NHS says a GP can look for the cause of symptoms, including blood tests to rule out conditions with similar symptoms, so other treatable causes are not missed.

Practical steps while waiting for an assessment

Memory worries can be distressing, and it is natural to want to do something straight away. Keeping a note of examples, such as missed appointments or repeated questions, can help a GP understand the pattern, and bringing a relative or friend who knows you well can help fill in the picture.

If you decide to try a supplement, treat it as an addition to, not a replacement for, medical assessment and support. Tell the GP or memory service that you are taking it, so that it is recorded alongside your other medicines.

Frequently asked

Questions people ask.

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions we hear most.

  • Does ginkgo biloba improve memory?

    A Cochrane review found it is uncertain whether it helps people who are worried about their memory, and that it probably makes little or no difference in mild cognitive impairment at six months.

  • Does ginkgo help dementia?

    Cochrane says it may be better than placebo for overall condition, thinking skills and everyday tasks at six months in dementia, but studies gave very different estimates, so conclusions are not firm.

  • Is ginkgo safe?

    Cochrane found probably no increased risk of harm compared with placebo in trials of mild cognitive impairment and dementia, but the NHS advises checking with a pharmacist if you take other medicines.

  • Can ginkgo prevent dementia?

    The Cochrane review looked at people who already had problems or concerns with thinking and memory, and did not show that ginkgo prevents dementia. No available treatments have been proven to stop or slow dementia progression.

  • Is ginkgo available on the NHS?

    No. The NHS says herbal medicines are not available on the NHS and are not tested in the same way as standard medicines.

  • Can I take ginkgo with warfarin?

    The NHS lists blood thinning medicine such as warfarin among medicines that do not mix well with herbal medicines in general. Ask a pharmacist before combining them.

  • What treatments are proven for dementia symptoms?

    Cochrane says that cholinesterase inhibitors may improve symptoms, and that non-medicine therapies may also help, although no treatment has been proven to stop or slow progression.

  • When should I see a GP about memory problems?

    The NHS says to see a GP if you think you have early symptoms of dementia, especially if you are over 65. The GP can do simple checks and refer you to a memory clinic if needed.

Where this comes from

Sources and checking.

This guide is for information, not medical advice.

Your GP or consultant knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or come with red-flag features, seek urgent medical care. Figures and availability change, so treat them as a guide and confirm with the provider.

Published 2026-10-10, next review 2027-10-10.

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