Ginkgo biloba for Multiple Sclerosis
One of the best sources for information about herbs and health is Medline Plus. This site is part of the National Institutes of Health, and experts go through the existing evidence and assess it. A grade of "C" was given for Ginkgo biloba's effectiveness in helping multiple sclerosis. That means that there simply isn't enough evidence to make a conclusion either way. There have only been small studies that have shown modest benefit.For example, one study looked at 38 people who had multiple sclerosis. 20 were given Ginkgo biloba and 18 weren't (they got a placebo). Before they took any Ginkgo biloba, they were tested for "cognitive performance." Then they took (or didn't take) Ginkgo biloba, depending on which group they were randomly put into. After 12 weeks, they were tested again. The Ginkgo group showed a bit of improvement, but not enough to be "statistically significant" (meaning, not enough to be sure it wasn't just random luck).
In another similar study, 22 people were put into either a Ginkgo group or a placebo group. This time the results were a bit better, with the Ginkgo biloba group showing improvement and less fatigue after the cognitive testing.
Doesn't Ginkgo Help Cognitive Function?
Again, when all the research is looked at together, there just isn't much evidence that Ginkgo biloba helps much of anything. In 2009, a review of all the literature on Ginkgo biloba and cognitive impairment/dementia was done. That means scientists surveyed the existing research on Ginkgo and found 36 studies that they could "pool" together (meaning that they were of sufficient quality). All in all, this made up 2,016 patients. The results of Ginkgo biloba's effects on cognitive impairment were inconsistent across the 36 studies, and there was very little difference between people taking Ginkgo biloba and people taking a placebo. The only good news (for Ginkgo) from this review was that there are very few (if any) side effects at the doses studied, compared to placebo.The Ginkgo Bottom Line
Right now it looks like there just isn't much to scientifically justify taking Ginkgo biloba to help with multiple sclerosis. Of course, this may change as more and better studies are done -- but the results to date are inconsistent and inconclusive. However, even a slight improvement (like that which was seen in some of the studies) could mean a change in quality of life for people with MS.Meanwhile, there are individuals who will swear by Ginkgo biloba -- that's great if it helped them. There are very few side effects or drawbacks to Ginkgo (except cost). Before giving it a try, however, be sure to review the labeling and talk with your doctor. There are some people who should not take Ginkgo biloba supplements, such as those taking blood-thinning medications or people with bleeding disorders.
NOTE: Ginkgo biloba may increase the risk of seizures. Be careful with Ginkgo if you are prone to seizures. Also, one of the new medications, Ampriva (fampridine, 4-AP), that was recently found by the FDA to help people with MS walk better, also comes with an elevated risk of seizures. While the mechanisms leading to potential seizures are probably different, I wouldn't take the two together until more is known.
Bottom line: The science isn't there to support Ginkgo biloba for MS, but the risks are low.
Sources:
Ginkgo. NCCAM Publication No. D290.
Lovera J, Bagert B, Smoot K, et al. Ginkgo biloba for the improvement of cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Mult Scler 2007 Apr;13(3):376-85.
Medline Plus . Ginkgo.
Johnson SK, Diamond BJ, Rausch S, et al. The effect of Ginkgo biloba on functional measures in multiple sclerosis: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Explore (NY). 2006;2(1):19-24.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Jan 21;(1):CD003120. Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia. Birks J, Grimley Evans J.
Bowling, Allen C. Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Multiple Sclerosis. 2nd ed. Demos Publishing: New York. 2007.
