Synopsis

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

Ginkgo biloba has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in East Asia, where it has been employed for a variety of neurological and circulatory conditions. Its application for migraine, however, is not as prominent or specifically documented in traditional texts as it is for other conditions like memory enhancement or peripheral vascular disease. Some traditional herbal systems have used Ginkgo to address headaches in general, based on its reputed effects of improving blood flow and reducing “wind” or vascular congestion, which are sometimes implicated in the etiology of headaches according to traditional Chinese medicine concepts.

Scientifically, there is limited but emerging evidence regarding Ginkgo’s potential role in migraine management. A few small clinical studies and observational reports have explored Ginkgo, often in combination with other ingredients (such as in the supplement "Migraten"), for the prevention of migraine attacks. These studies suggest possible benefits in reducing migraine frequency and severity, potentially due to Ginkgo’s vasoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, the overall quality of evidence is low, with studies often being underpowered, open-label, or lacking appropriate controls.

In summary, while Ginkgo is used for migraine primarily based on traditional practices and plausible mechanisms, robust scientific validation is currently lacking, and the strength of supporting evidence is weak (rated 2/5).

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