Evidence supporting the use of: Ginkgo biloba
For the health condition: Depression

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Synopsis

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

Ginkgo biloba has a long history of use in traditional medicine, especially in Chinese herbal practices, where it has been used for a variety of cognitive and circulatory ailments. Its application for depression, however, is less robustly documented in either traditional texts or modern clinical literature. The rationale for its use in supporting mood or alleviating depressive symptoms is typically based on its reputed ability to enhance cerebral blood flow and its antioxidant properties, which are thought to have a general neuroprotective effect. In traditional contexts, ginkgo was not specifically used for depression as understood in modern psychiatry, but rather for symptoms like fatigue, poor memory, or overall “mental fog,” which sometimes overlap with depressive presentations. Modern clinical studies focusing on ginkgo biloba for depression are limited and generally of low quality. Some small trials and animal studies suggest that ginkgo may have potential antidepressant effects, possibly due to its influence on neurotransmitter systems and its neuroprotective properties. However, systematic reviews and meta-analyses consistently conclude that evidence is insufficient to recommend ginkgo as a primary or adjunctive treatment for depression. The best-supported uses for ginkgo biloba remain related to cognitive enhancement and peripheral vascular disease. Therefore, its use for depression is primarily based on tradition and indirect reasoning rather than strong clinical evidence.

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amino acids
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basil
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DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
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fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
gardenia
ginger
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gotu kola
greek mountain tea
green tea
hemp oil
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inositol
jujube
krill oil
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l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
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lavender
lion's mane
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liquid liver fractions
luteolin
maca
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magnesium
magnolia
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melatonin
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muira puama
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phenolic acids
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butyric acid
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