Large study finds no evidence that ginkgo slows cognitive decline in elders.

Americans spend more than $250 million each year on the herbal supplement Ginkgo biloba with the hope it will improve their long-term cognitive function. The Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study, the largest-ever clinical trial has reported that those taking 120 mg of ginkgo extract twice daily did no better than a placebo in slowing down cognitive decline in older participants. These results come after following 3000+ people ranging in age from 72 to 96 years old over a period of 6 years.. These results are consistent with previous smaller studies.

Taking ginkgo biloba supplements to fend off heart disease? Maybe it is time to reconsider.

In a major test of the purported benefits of the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have reported no benefit of taking 120 mg of G. biloba twice daily. This double-blind, randomly assigned study of more than 3000 participants over 75 years of age found no differences in outcomes between the control or experimental groups for heart attacks, strokes or angina. Although a very popular supplement, claims for Ginkgo biloba are turning out to be hollow.