Home Ingredients Ginkgo 24/6 (Standardized Ginkgo biloba Extract)
Cognitive

Ginkgo 24/6 (Standardized Ginkgo biloba Extract)

Ginkgo biloba
Evidence Level
Moderate
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

Ginkgo 24/6 is a Ginkgo biloba leaf extract standardized to 24% flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones, with low ginkgolic acid. That specification matches EGb761, the extract used in most ginkgo research. The evidence cited here comes from trials in people already diagnosed with cognitive impairment or dementia, not from healthy adults looking to sharpen memory, and no cited study measured circulation. Ginkgo can increase bleeding risk, so it needs care alongside blood thinners and should be stopped well before surgery.

Studied Dose The pooled trial evidence is at 240 mg a day of EGb761, a ginkgo extract standardized to 24% flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones, taken for 22 to 26 weeks. Lower intakes such as 120 mg a day are widely sold but are not what the meta-analysis tested.
Active Compound Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, standardized to about 24% flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones.

Benefits

Cognition and memory

The evidence here is for EGb761, a standardized ginkgo extract, at 240 mg a day for 22 to 26 weeks in people already diagnosed with cognitive impairment or dementia. A 2015 meta-analysis of 9 trials and 2,561 such patients found it helped stabilize or slow decline in cognition and in everyday activities. It has not been shown to sharpen memory or attention in healthy adults, and cognitive impairment and dementia are medical diagnoses that require a doctor's care.

Supported by Trial 1

Circulation

Improving blood flow to the brain and limbs is ginkgo's traditional reputation, but none of the research cited on this page measured circulation or any heart or blood-vessel outcome. Treat this as historical use rather than a demonstrated effect.

Supported by Trial 1

Antioxidant support

Ginkgo flavonoids act as antioxidants in laboratory testing. No study cited here measured antioxidant activity, brain tissue or blood vessels in people, so this is a proposed explanation rather than a proven benefit.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Microcirculation support

Ginkgo's flavone glycosides and terpene lactones are thought to affect blood-vessel function and blood flow. This is a proposed mechanism from laboratory work, not something the human research cited on this page measured.

2

Antioxidant neuroprotection

Ginkgo antioxidants are proposed to protect nerve cells and blood vessels from oxidative stress. This is a theory about how the extract might work and was not tested in the human evidence cited here.

Clinical trials

1
EGb761 and Cognition in Patients: 2015 Meta-Analysis
PubMed

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 randomized trials in 2,561 patients, testing the standardized extract EGb761 at 240 mg a day for 22 to 26 weeks. (Tan et al. 2015, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease)

2,561 patients diagnosed with cognitive impairment or dementia. No healthy adults were studied.

Pooled results favoured EGb761 for cognition (weighted mean difference -2.86), activities of daily living (standardized mean difference -0.36) and clinicians' global impression of change (Peto odds ratio 1.88). The authors concluded the extract is able to stabilize or slow decline in these patients rather than reverse it. The included trials revealed no important safety concerns, though they were not designed to detect rare bleeding events.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Bleeding risk is the main safety concern: ginkgo has antiplatelet activity and has been linked to increased bleeding.
Mild headache or digestive upset can occur.
Rarely, mild dizziness. Ginkgo may also lower the seizure threshold, so anyone with a seizure disorder should avoid it unless a doctor advises otherwise.

Important Drug interactions

Blood thinners and antiplatelet medicines, including warfarin, aspirin and NSAIDs: ginkgo can add to bleeding risk. Do not combine without your doctor's guidance.
Seizure disorders and medicines that lower the seizure threshold: ginkgo may increase seizure risk. Talk to your doctor before using it.
Stop ginkgo well before any surgery or dental procedure and tell the surgeon or dentist you have been taking it, because of the bleeding risk.

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Frequently asked questions about Ginkgo 24/6 (Standardized Ginkgo biloba Extract)

What is Ginkgo 24/6?

Ginkgo 24/6 is a Ginkgo biloba leaf extract standardized to 24% flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones, with low ginkgolic acid. That specification matches EGb761, the extract used in most ginkgo research.

What is Ginkgo 24/6 used for?

Ginkgo 24/6 is researched primarily for Cognitive. The evidence here is for EGb761, a standardized ginkgo extract, at 240 mg a day for 22 to 26 weeks in people already diagnosed with cognitive impairment or dementia.

What is the recommended dosage of Ginkgo 24/6?

The clinically studied dose is The pooled trial evidence is at 240 mg a day of EGb761, a ginkgo extract standardized to 24% flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones, taken for 22 to 26 weeks. Lower intakes such as 120 mg a day are widely sold but are not what the meta-analysis tested. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Ginkgo 24/6 safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Ginkgo 24/6 is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Bleeding risk is the main safety concern: ginkgo has antiplatelet activity and has been linked to increased bleeding. Mild headache or digestive upset can occur. It may also interact with some medications. Ginkgo 24/6 is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Ginkgo 24/6 interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Blood thinners and antiplatelet medicines, including warfarin, aspirin and NSAIDs: ginkgo can add to bleeding risk. Do not combine without your doctor's guidance. Seizure disorders and medicines that lower the seizure threshold: ginkgo may increase seizure risk. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Ginkgo 24/6?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Ginkgo 24/6 as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 1 cited reference summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(1 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Tan MS, Yu JT, Tan CC, et al. Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Alzheimers Dis. 2015;43(2):589-603..PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 9 trials in 2,561 patients with cognitive impairment or dementia: EGb761 at 240 mg a day stabilized or slowed decline in cognition and daily activities. It does not address healthy adults, circulation or any cardiovascular outcome.