Efficacy of Ginkgo as an Alternative Medicine According to GRADE* Ranking:
Alopecia:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to show that ginkgo biloba is able to treat alopecia)
Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence
Dementia [1, 3, 4, 5]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: No recommendation (Research on claims that Ginkgo helps to treat symptoms of dementia have yielded mixed results)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
Erectile Dysfunction [2, 7]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Studies show that ginkgo may be able to help treat erectile dysfunction. More studies are needed)
Grade of Evidence: Low level of evidence
Altitude Sickness [1, 3, 4, 5]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that ginkgo helps to treat altitude sickness)
Grade of Evidence: Low level of evidence
Alzheimer's Disease [1, 3, 4, 5]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: No recommendation (A few major studies show that ginkgo does not help improve cognitive function in
Grade of Evidence: Low level of evidence
Frontotemporal Dementia [1, 3, 4, 5]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: No recommendation (Research on claims that ginkgo helps to treat symptoms of dementia have yielded mixed results
Grade of Evidence: Low level of evidence
Claudication [1, 3, 4, 5]:
Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.
Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that ginkgo helps to treat claudication)
Grade of Evidence: Low level of evidence
*www.gradeworkinggroup.org
References:
1. Ades T, Alteri R, Gansler T, Yeargin P, "Complete Guide to Complimentary & Alternative Cancer Therapies", American Cancer Society, Atlanta USA, 2009
