Place Your Advertisement Here
All ad revenues support the mission of the Epilepsy Therapy Project
 
UPDATED: Thu, 11/08/2007 - 1:07am

  • Epilepsy First Aid
  • Seizure Medication
  • Videos
  • Seizure Diary
  • Find a Doctor
  • Epilepsy Centers
  • Clinical Trials
  • Event Calendar

Place Your Advertisement Here
All ad revenues support the mission
of the Epilepsy Therapy Project

Ginkgo

Ginkgo (ginkgo biloba) is a tree which originated in Asia but is now found growing in many American cities. The medicinal use of ginkgo has been the subject of more research than most other herbal agents. A few controlled clinical trials have suggested some improvement in symptoms of dementia (especially Alzheimer's disease), but the reported effect is not large. There may also be some benefit to other people seeking improved memory and thinking ability, but there is less evidence for this effect. Most reports have suggested that the herb must be used for several weeks before a benefit can be noticed. Nevertheless, ginkgo is widely used, usually in the form of ginkgo extract.

Any improvement in cognitive function is often credited to an increase in circulation. Some studies have found ginkgo to be beneficial in treating circulatory disorders but it should not be used by people taking anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin) because of possible bleeding problems. Similar interactions with aspirin and other nonprescription pain relievers are also possible. Studies are underway to see whether taking ginkgo affects the way the body uses other medications, perhaps including some seizure medicines.

Seizures have been reported in a few people taking ginkgo, but the number of these reports has been very small considering the large numbers of people who have used it. Many of the people involved were also taking other substances and there is not enough information to definitely blame any particular form or dosage of ginkgo for the seizures. Bilobalide is a substance found in ginkgo that has antiseizure effects in animals, but we know less about the effects of total ginkgo extract, the form usually taken.

Read more about ginkgo in the "About Herbs" section of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center website. (If you have not visited the site before, the information on ginkgo will be preceded by a Disclaimer.)

Much of the information in this article is based on Spinella M: Herbal medicines and epilepsy: The potential for benefit and adverse effects. Epilepsy Behav 2001; 2(6):524-532. (PMID 12609386)

Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, M.D.
Last Reviewed:12/15/06


Welcome to the Wiki. This space is created for epilepsy.com members to share their own experiences and expertise to help refine and expand the discussion around important topics.

No members have yet contributed to this topic. If you are not yet an epilepsy.com member, register today to get started on this Wiki topic and the many other advantages of being a member. If you are a member and wish to be the first to edit this Wiki topic, please make sure to login, then click on the orange "Start Wiki" button at the top of this page. Or, learn more about Wikis.


Turn the page on your treatment by starting your Epilepsy Diary today.

Keeping a daily record of your seizures can help you and your doctor better understand and treat your epilepsy.

Open my epiCom Diary

Title Posted
Hot flashes, herbs & seizure medication  
sprtgrl99
Microgynon 30 birth control pills and Topamax  
Black.Pearl
View all Forums

Title Posted
Simple Partials Seizures-What Are Yours Like & Duration?  
Maria7
Might Calcium Disorders Cause Seizures?  
Nerak95
A Scary Doctor  
snoodle
Might Calcium disorders Cause Seizures?  
Nerak95
Topamax,Keppra causing liver damage?!  
baubua24
Ecstatic Seizures  
victoria.w
Embarrassed  
kyrissa
8 year old with rolandic epilepsy  
robin510
Vitamin B6  
eanj
I Have Epilepsy and I Hate My Life...  
1nevermore
View all Forums

Title Page Views
my.epilepsy.com Updates  
epi_help
topamax and weight loss  
alexia mom
kepra  
brian mattingly
Possible cure for absence seizures  
pdl1
Epilepsy and marijuana  
cjad234
Sexual Side Effects  
George R
How exactly do aura's feel  
WendyBendy
MEDICAL ALERT I.D.'s  
picnupthepcs
Over 40 Different Types Of Seizures - Revised  
spiz
electrical shock in head?  
Maggie
View all Forums

Title Posted
Heck of a day  
4mygirl2
The Last Voice  
cindy thacher
Ugg boots  
shirts
UGG lays its charm  
shirts
UGG lays its charm  
shirts
29 years old, had seizures since I was 8.  
dkalra
Stroll for Epilepsy Awareness  
bookworm03
Epilepsy Advocacy  
krjohnson
Hello Again, catching up!  
chandagunn
PowerPoint to Youtube  
dwightgenius
View all Blogs

Title Page Views
Inspirational Quote - My Own Personal Inner Thoughts  
Butterflygrl
my partial complex seizures  
Zanna1211
Topomax... The Dreaded.........  
Dr Jason
Brain Zaps, tics & twitches  
JudiS
side effects of phenobarb.  
pksmom
Feeling Sick  
JBJ1984
How can you tell if a sleep seizure happens?  
epl_controller
Tegretol XR and ANXIETY meds  
Butterflygrl
TYLENOL, AEDs & SEIZURES  
cmscribbles
Nonepileptic "Events" vs. "Seizures"  
teft
View all Blogs

Title Posted
Project Uplift  
tamliniscute
SEIZURE FREE  
gracie9933
EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP NORTH CAROLINA  
Roxanne D
Community Feedback on Proposed New epilepsy.com Feature  
kdredske
Parent with Child with Epilepsy,Dystonia, and Autism  
TashaCole
RX outreach Program  
mw
Fun and Games  
phylisfjohnson
Epilepsy and Memory Loss??  
lindseygthatsme
Epileptic Postictal Psychosis  
Bravedefender
Northern California Volunteers  
cannemo73
View all Groups

Title Posted
My Mother suffers from absence seizures  
baubua24
My Meningioma Story  
Maria7
My First time  
SteveDaw
My Epilepsy  
amberbrady5384
The crazy spiritual journey that is a seizure.  
zeus1223
29 years old; epilepsy since I was 8.  
dkalra
my experience with epilepsy  
Sabia
Family with Epilepsy  
thunley
My Story Of How I Was Diagnosed With Epilepsy.  
bass_babyx
Lorrelei71  
Lorrelei71
View all Stories

Place Your Advertisement Here
All ad revenues support the mission
of the Epilepsy Therapy Project