Evidence supporting the use of: Ginkgo
For the body system: Ears

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Ginkgo biloba has been used traditionally in Chinese medicine for centuries, including for various circulation-related conditions, but its use specifically for ear health—such as supporting hearing and reducing tinnitus—has also been investigated in modern scientific studies. Ginkgo is thought to improve blood flow, including to the microvasculature of the inner ear, which is implicated in some forms of hearing loss and tinnitus.

Several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have evaluated Ginkgo biloba extract (often standardized as EGb 761) for tinnitus and sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Some studies have reported modest improvements in tinnitus symptoms when compared to placebo, but results are inconsistent, and systematic reviews (such as those by the Cochrane Collaboration) generally conclude that evidence for a clinically significant benefit is weak or insufficient. For sudden hearing loss, a few studies suggest a possible adjunctive benefit when Ginkgo is combined with standard therapies, but the quality of evidence is low and further research is needed.

In summary, while Ginkgo is widely marketed and sometimes used for supporting ear health, especially for tinnitus, the current scientific evidence does not robustly support its effectiveness for this purpose. The plausibility is based on its effects on circulation, but clinical results remain inconclusive. Nonetheless, its use for this purpose is more supported by scientific investigation than by tradition alone.

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