Can Ginkgo Biloba Extract Be Consumed Directly?
There are risks associated with using Ginkgo Biloba Extract directly, and we need to be cautious.
Release time：
2025-11-06
Source：
Ginkgo leaves hold many mysteries, but their extracts are not ordinary teas. Direct use of Ginkgo Biloba Extract carries risks, and we need to be cautious.
1 The essence of Ginkgo Biloba Extract
Ginkgo Biloba Extract is a concentrated product of active substances made from ginkgo leaves through a series of complex processes.Its main value lies in the active ingredients such as flavonoids and terpene lactones it contains, which have various physiological activities such as dilating blood vessels, improving circulation, and anti-oxidation.
However, ginkgo leaves also contain potentially toxic substances such as ginkgolic acid. If untreated ginkgo leaves are steeped in water and consumed directly, the ginkgolic acid will dissolve, potentially leading to poisoning.Therefore, a crucial step in professional extraction is controlling the ginkgolic acid content. Depending on the standards, the limit for ginkgolic acid is typically below 5-10 ppm (parts per million).
2 Why can't we use raw ginkgo leaves directly?？
2.1 The necessity of standardized extraction
Professional Ginkgo Biloba Extract production adheres to stringent standards, such as CAS 160.1-2008, which specifies the requirements for ginkgo leaf extract used in health foods. These standards ensure consistent product quality and safety.
Comparison of main standard specifications of Ginkgo Biloba Extract
| Standard Source | Total flavonoid content requirements | Terpene lactone content requirements | Ginkgolic acid limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| CP2010 | ≥24% | ≥6% | <5ppm |
| EP6.0 | 22-27% | 5.4-6.6% | <5ppm |
| USP31 | 22-27% | 5.4-12% | <5ppm |
| EGB761 | ≥24% | ≥6% | <5ppm |
2.2 Complex processes ensure safety and effectiveness
The production process of Ginkgo Biloba Extract includes multiple steps such as ethanol or water extraction, concentration, macroporous resin adsorption and desorption, and drying.These processes are not only for enriching active ingredients, but also for removing harmful substances such as ginkgolic acid.
3 Suitable population for Ginkgo Biloba Extract
Ginkgo Biloba Extract is mainly used for disorders of blood circulation in the brain and surrounding tissues, including...：
- Acute and chronic cerebral insufficiency and its sequelae：Stroke, poor concentration, memory loss, dementia
- Blood flow and nerve disorders in the ear：Tinnitus, dizziness, hearing loss
- Ocular blood flow and nerve disorders：Diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration
- Peripheral circulatory obstruction：Various arterial occlusive diseases, intermittent claudication
4 Industry prospects and innovation directions of Ginkgo Biloba Extract
China is the world's largest producer of Ginkgo Biloba Extract, with a market size projected to reach approximately 435 million yuan by 2025. While my country possesses 85% of the world's ginkgo resources, its ginkgo leaf processing technology still lags significantly behind international advanced levels.
The main development directions of the Ginkgo Biloba Extract industry in the future include:：
- Develop high value-added products and expand into the fields of high-end cosmetics and bio-feed.
- Applying new technologies such as supercritical fluid extraction and microwave-assisted extraction to improve extraction efficiency and quality
- Developing rural health and wellness industries and ginkgo cultural industries with ginkgo characteristics
Ginkgo Biloba Extract is a valuable plant resource that has been proven over thousands of years, but its use must be based on science, safety, and regulations.We should actively disseminate accurate knowledge about Ginkgo Biloba Extract, promote the industry towards standardization, high-end products, and internationalization, and enable this ancient plant to bring more benefits to human health.
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