Evidence supporting the use of: Ginkgo biloba
For the health condition: Migraine

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Ginkgo biloba has been investigated for its potential role in migraine management, with a modest but growing body of scientific literature. Its use is not rooted in traditional medicine specifically for migraines; rather, interest comes from its known vasoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Several small clinical studies and pilot trials have explored the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba extracts, often in combination with other ingredients (such as coenzyme Q10 and magnesium), for migraine prophylaxis and reduction of attack frequency.

A notable study published in Neurological Sciences (2011) evaluated a combination product containing Ginkgo biloba, showing a reduction in migraine frequency and duration in pediatric patients. Another randomized, placebo-controlled trial (2019, Acta Neurologica Belgica) found that a supplement combining Ginkgo biloba, coenzyme Q10, and magnesium reduced migraine days and intensity in adults. However, these studies typically use combination formulations, making it difficult to attribute effects solely to Ginkgo biloba. The proposed mechanism involves Ginkgo's ability to inhibit platelet-activating factor, improve cerebral blood flow, and modulate neuroinflammation.

Despite some promising findings, the overall quality of evidence is limited: sample sizes are small, studies are short in duration, and the results are not entirely consistent. There is a need for larger, high-quality randomized controlled trials examining Ginkgo biloba as a monotherapy before it can be confidently recommended for migraine prevention. Thus, the rating reflects weak but present scientific validation, rather than strong or consensus-based support.

More about ginkgo biloba
More about Migraine

Other ingredients used for Migraine

1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Albizia
Almond fruit
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
apple cider vinegar
ashwagandha
atractylodes
atractylone
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
banyan
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
betony
Bifidobacteria
Black Hellebore
black seed
black tea
blackboard tree
Blepharis
brahmi
bupleurum falcatum
butterbur
cannabidiol
Carthamus
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cola nut
Corydalis
creatine
crocin
curcumin
danshen
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
docosahexaenoic Acid
eicosapentaenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
feverfew
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
fish
fish oil
flavanones
flavin mononucleotide
folic acid
frankincense
Gelsemium
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
goldthread
gooseberry
gotu kola
Hellebore
Indian frankincense
iridoids
ketone salts
kuding tea
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lavender
lemon balm
Lesser speargrass
linalool
little ironweed
luteolin
magnesium
Meadowsweet
Melatonin
Mesua
Methylxanthine
Moringa
Nardostachys
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Night jessamine
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Peppermint
Petasines
Phthalides
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
Polygonum
Puerarin
purple butterbur root
Pycnogenol
Rauvolfia
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Rubiaceae
Rubus
rue
Salmon Oil
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Sensitive Plant
soursop
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Spikenard
Swertia
Szechuan lovage
turmeric
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Withanolides
Xanthine
Xanthone
Xanthophyll
Yuzu
Zinc
Zingerone