The leaves of the ginkgo tree contain chemicals that can be used to treat memory and cognitive problems. In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers confirmed that people who take ginkgo extract for mild to severe dementia may see improvement in their abilities to remember and to inter- act socially. You can buy ginkgo biloba in both extract and capsule form. Buy a quality product and read the label. Look for products marked “24/6,” an indication that the product contains 24 percent flavone glycosides and 6 percent terpenes, the chemicals that do the good work. Plan to take it for at least eight weeks before expecting improvement to show.
Ginkgo may interfere with antidepressant MAO-inhibitor drugs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) such as phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). If you’re on heart medication and want to take ginkgo, consult your doctor first. And be sure to stick to the recommended dose.