Ginkgo Biloba and Tinnitus: Separating Fact from Fiction
Tinnitus affects approximately 10 to 15% of the Swiss population. Faced with this often distressing symptom, many people turn to natural solutions, including Ginkgo biloba. But what does science actually say about the effectiveness of this plant for treating tinnitus?
What is Ginkgo biloba?
Ginkgo biloba is a medicinal plant derived from the leaves of the tree of the same name. Used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, it contains several bioactive compounds:
Flavonoids: antioxidant compounds naturally present in fruits and vegetables
Terpenoids: organic molecules synthesized by plants
Ginkgolides: compounds specific to Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo extract is produced by extracting these active ingredients using solvents such as ethanol or water.
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The purported properties of Ginkgo
Several effects are traditionally attributed to Ginkgo biloba:
Antioxidant action
Ginkgo does indeed possess measurable antioxidant properties in laboratory settings. It has a high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) score, meaning it can neutralize free radicals in a test tube. However, the US FDA recently removed ORAC scores from its website due to a lack of evidence that these measurements correspond to real clinical effects in the body.
Anti-platelet action
In laboratory settings, Ginkgo biloba inhibits platelet-activating factor (PAF). However, randomized clinical trials have shown only minimal effect on stroke prevention, without any real clinical significance.
Anti-inflammatory action
Studies have shown that Ginkgo extracts can reduce certain inflammatory markers in blood samples. Nevertheless, this does not include CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide), the most important marker in neurogenic inflammatory conditions such as migraine and tinnitus.
Protection against dementia
Although Ginkgo has been studied in the context of dementia, the statistical improvements observed do not translate into clinically significant improvements. A meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials concluded that Ginkgo provides no benefit in preventing dementia [1].
Can Ginkgo help with chronic tinnitus?
Several claims circulate regarding the effects of Ginkgo on tinnitus. Let's examine them in light of the scientific evidence:
| Claim | Scientific validity | |
| Improved cochlear blood circulation | False: Experimental evidence shows that Ginkgo has no effect on inner ear blood circulation [2]. | |
| Anti-anxiety effects | False: The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) task force found no evidence supporting the use of Ginkgo biloba for anxiety [3]. | |
| Cell protection | Mixed: Ginkgo may have an otoprotective effect due to its antioxidant properties. However, no human clinical trials have proven this; these effects have only been observed in gerbils. | |
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What do clinical studies say?
When examining well-designed studies (double-blind clinical trials comparing Ginkgo biloba to a placebo), the finding is clear: Ginkgo is ineffective for treating tinnitus. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses consistently reject Ginkgo as a treatment for tinnitus. Here are some conclusions drawn from five peer-reviewed academic papers:
➀ "We concluded that the use of Ginkgo biloba probably does not decrease tinnitus severity. Furthermore, it does not reduce tinnitus intensity or improve patients' quality of life" [4].
➁ "The limited evidence does not demonstrate that Ginkgo biloba is effective for tinnitus when it is the primary complaint" [5].
➂ "In conclusion, Ginkgo biloba provides no benefit to patients suffering from tinnitus" [6].
➃ "There is uncertainty about the benefits and risks of Ginkgo biloba for treating tinnitus compared to placebo" [7].
➄ "There is overwhelming evidence that Ginkgo biloba plays no role in tinnitus" [8].
The special case of EGb 761 extract
EGb 761 is a proprietary formulation of Ginkgo biloba, one of the few where the concentration is standardized. However, even this extract presents problems:
The majority of positive results concern patients with dementia, not isolated tinnitus
The measurements used are visual analog scales (sad to happy faces from 0 to 10) rather than validated questionnaires for assessing tinnitus severity
Results are presented in a way that suggests efficacy that is not clinically significant
In one randomized controlled trial, a "statistically significant improvement" corresponded to a reduction of only 0.41 on the visual scale – less than half a point. This difference is essentially negligible in terms of actual reduction in tinnitus severity.
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Side effects of Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is not without risks. Here are the known side effects:
Increased risk of bleeding
Allergic reactions
Gastrointestinal disorders
Headaches
Vertigo and dizziness
Increased risk of seizures
Drug interactions
Medications that interact with Ginkgo include:
Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel)
Antidepressants (SSRIs, MAOIs)
Anticonvulsants (carbamazepine)
Antipsychotics (haloperidol)
Certain chemotherapy medications
Supplements available in Switzerland
In Switzerland, several dietary supplements for tinnitus contain Ginkgo biloba as their main ingredient, including Symfona. Given the lack of scientific evidence, these products should not be recommended for tinnitus treatment despite their availability in pharmacies.
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Are there any useful supplements?
No dietary supplement "cures" tinnitus. However, some may contribute to improvement as part of a comprehensive treatment program. For example, at Centre Activate we offer the following for our integrative program:
Vitamin D: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased tinnitus intensity. Clinical trials have shown that supplementation in deficient patients can improve symptoms.
Magnesium: May also be beneficial for similar reasons, particularly as part of a comprehensive approach.
Effective treatments do exist
Yes, treating tinnitus is possible, but we must abandon the "miracle cure" mentality. There is no magic pill that will make chronic subjective tinnitus disappear. Dietary supplements can help, but they must be complementary to a comprehensive rehabilitation program.
Effective tinnitus treatment must target three goals:
1. Reduce cerebral sensory hypersensitivity
This can be achieved through a combination of prescription medications (when appropriate), targeted dietary supplements, and sound therapy such as the Rest & Restore Protocol.
2. Rewire the brain circuits that perpetuate tinnitus
This includes modified tinnitus retraining therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and lifestyle changes.
3. Identify and manage tinnitus triggers
Research shows that tinnitus is linked to a migraine-like process in the brain, triggered by certain environmental factors. Identifying and managing these triggers is essential.
Conclusion
Despite its popularity and reassuring "natural" image, Ginkgo biloba has no place in the treatment of tinnitus. The scientific evidence is clear and consistent: this plant offers no significant clinical benefit for people suffering from tinnitus.
If you suffer from tinnitus, don't waste time and money on unproven solutions. Scientifically validated therapeutic approaches exist and can provide you with real relief. A comprehensive and personalized approach remains the best path to improvement.
To learn more, please visit our website dedicated to tinnitus and other sensory hearing disorders: https://stop-acouphenes.ch/
Note: This article draws on the excellent work of the NeuroMed Tinnitus Clinic, which we have adapted and expanded for the Swiss context. We thank their teams for their scientific rigor and commitment to informing the public about evidence-based tinnitus treatments.
References
[1] Charemboon T, Jaisin K. Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Med Assoc Thai. 2015 May;98(5):508-13.
[2] Lamm K, Arnold W. The effect of blood flow promoting drugs on cochlear blood flow, perilymphatic pO(2) and auditory function in the normal and noise-damaged hypoxic and ischemic guinea pig inner ear. Hear Res. 2000 Mar;141(1-2):199-219.
[3] Sarris J, et al. Clinician guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders with nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals: The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Taskforce. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2022 Jul;23(6):424-455.
[4] Kramer F, Ortigoza Á. Ginkgo biloba for the treatment of tinnitus. Medwave. 2018 Oct 17;18(6):e7295.
[5] Hilton MP, Zimmermann EF, Hunt WT. Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Mar 28;(3):CD003852.
[6] Rejali D, Sivakumar A, Balaji N. Ginkgo biloba does not benefit patients with tinnitus: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004 Jun;29(3):226-31.
[7] Sereda M, Xia J, Scutt P, Hilton MP, El Refaie A, Hoare DJ. Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Nov 16;11(11):CD013514.
[8] Karkos PD, Leong SC, Arya AK, Papouliakos SM, Apostolidou MT, Issing WJ. 'Complementary ENT': a systematic review of commonly used supplements. J Laryngol Otol. 2007 Aug;121(8):779-82.
