Ginkgo does not promote bleeding

New meta-analysis confirms high safety of ginkgo extracts

Ginkgo biloba is one of the most intensively studied medicinal plants. Extracts from its leaves are used as medicines for dementia, memory disorders, dizziness or tinnitus (tinnitus). Ginkgo extracts have been proven to promote blood circulation. Does this not increase the tendency to bleeding? A recently published meta-analysis was able to eliminate this concern.

The fear, after taking Ginkgo extracts it comes to a reduction in blood clotting and thus an increased tendency to bleeding, has been repeatedly expressed. Graduate pharmacologist Andrea J. Kellermann and Dr. med. For this reason, Charlotte Kloft from the University of Halle-Wittenberg first sighted 296 potentially relevant studies of international specialist literature in English, French and German for a meta-analysis. Following the exclusion of non-compliant publications, data from 18 studies involving a total of 1,985 adults (including 53 percent women) were evaluated. For this world's first metabolic analysis of blood flow and coagulation with ginkgo intake, all available parameters of blood flow such as flow behavior (viscosity), platelet aggregation, fibrinogen concentration, etc. were used.

The result: no association could be found between the proven phytopharmacon and abnormal bleeding (Pharmacotherapy 2011; 31 (5): 490-502). Although the standardized Ginkgo extracts examined in the studies significantly and significantly affect the blood circulation, they do not lead to an increased tendency to bleed. None of the analyzed studies found an indication of an increased risk of bleeding.

However, the scientists from Halle emphasize emphatically that the result of their meta-analysis only applies to the intake of standardized Ginkgo extracts that have been tested in clinical trials. It can not by any means be applied to other ginkgo-containing products such as teas, non-standardized preparations or dietary supplements. Their pharmacologically active and potentially toxic ingredients may in fact differ significantly from the scientifically researched standardized drug extracts. (KFN 08/2011)

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