Ginkgo Biloba for Vitiligo Treatment Research Review

Does Ginkgo Biloba work for Vitiligo? Vitiligo vulgaris is a pigmentation disorder of the skin. People with this disease develop white patches of skin throughout the body.

Although not directly harmful to health, vitiligo can cause considerable distress and psychological impairment. Thus, finding effective treatments for vitiligo is a leading research priority in this field.

Some scientific research indicates that people may have successful symptom relief when they take Ginkgo biloba for vitiligo. In one study, using 120 mg of Ginkgo Plus extract per day reduced the progression and size of the lesions, compared to baseline measurements.

However, according to the Natural Medicines Database, there is insufficient evidence available to rate this efficacy of Ginkgo for the treatment of vitiligo. Consult with a doctor to learn about the best treatment options for you.

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Rated Likely Safe

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Ginkgo Biloba Introduction

The Ginkgo biloba tree is native to Asia and is one of the oldest known living tree species. This tree has distinctive, fan-shaped leaves and bears fruit that is inedible.

Traditional Chinese medicine has used the leaves and seeds of Ginkgo biloba for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments. Today, concentrated Ginkgo biloba extract is made from dried leaves and has been studied for vitiligo, among other diseases.

The active ingredients in Ginkgo Biloba extract have been identified as flavone glycosides (quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin) and terpene lactones (ginkgolides A, B and C, and bilobalide). Ginkgo is also a source of proanthocyanadins, D-glucaric and ginkgolic acids.

In research studied, Ginkgo has been shown to promote vasodilation, which is the widening of blood vessels. This can improve blood flow throughout the body and has been connected to improved cognitive health, mood balance, eye health and more.

There has also been growing research into the effects of Ginkgo for skin health. It has been studied in a topical formulation for radiation-induced skin toxicity. When combined with aloe vera, metal esculetina and other skin cream ingredients, it was shown to improve skin hydration and reduce skin toxicity.

Common Symptoms of Vitiligo

The symptoms of vitiligo may differ slightly between individuals, but white patches on the skin are the hallmark sign of this condition. Common symptoms include:

• Whitening or discoloration of areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, feet, and lips
• Premature graying or whitening of hair (including hair on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or beard). This typically occurs before age 35.
• Changes in the color of the retina, or inner layer of the eyeball
• Loss of color in the mucous membranes lining the mouth and nose
• Discoloration of skin around the navel, armpits, genitalia, and rectum

Although vitiligo may develop at any age, most people first begin to notice symptoms in their 20’s. The disease progresses in severity for some people, while symptoms do not progress in others.

Vitiligo develops when your melanocytes, the skin cells that produce pigment (or melanin) die or stop their melanin production. Vitiligo is often considered an autoimmune disease. It may be hereditary or triggered by an environmental event such as sunburn or chemical exposure.

Does Ginkgo Biloba Work for Vitiligo?

Several clinical trials have explored the effectiveness of taking a Ginkgo biloba supplement for vitiligo. In one such trial, Ginkgo biloba supplementation significantly reduced the progression of depigmentation in people with vitiligo, and some patients even experienced repigmentation (1).

This suggests that Ginkgo biloba does work for vitiligo treatment, but more research is needed to validate initial findings and to rate efficacy.

Given that it is a safe, all-natural supplement, Ginkgo biloba may be a desirable intervention for patients wary of more aggressive vitiligo treatments. Patient reviews of Ginkgo biloba for vitiligo treatment indicate that it is well tolerated.

How to Use Ginkgo Biloba for Vitiligo

Before using this supplement for vitiligo, consult with a doctor for personalized dosage recommendations. The FDA has not approved Ginkgo extract as a treatment for Vitiligo and there are no standardized dosage guidelines currently available.

Although there is no specific recommended dosage, clinical trials studying Ginkgo biloba for vitiligo have used dosages of 40 mg three times daily or 60 mg twice daily (1,2). Thus, a cumulative dosage of 120 mg daily may be the best Ginkgo biloba dose for vitiligo treatment.

There is no definitive answer on how long to use Ginkgo biloba for vitiligo treatment results. Because vitiligo is a chronic, progressive skin condition with no known cure, treatment may need to be ongoing.

Ginkgo biloba has been safely taken for up to six years in research studies. There are no known long-term effects of taking Ginkgo supplements, but it is best to talk to a medical professional before deciding how long to take this supplement for.

Because absorption of Ginkgo biloba occurs primarily in the small intestine, individuals with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or other gastrointestinal absorption problems should consult their doctor about the effective dosage of Ginkgo biloba for vitiligo.

Is It Safe to Take Ginkgo Biloba for Vitiligo?

Accumulated scientific evidence indicates that it is safe to take Ginkgo biloba for vitiligo (3).

At standardized concentrations, Ginkgo biloba is not known to cause any toxic effects. Animal studies using extremely high doses of Ginkgo biloba have shown some toxic and carcinogenic effects, but the relevance of these findings to human health and disease is unknown at this time.

Patient reviews of Ginkgo biloba for vitiligo typically show that it is well tolerated. Side effects are rare but may include:

• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Skin reactions

In rare cases, taking Ginkgo biloba extract may result in internal bleeding, stroke, or cardiac failure. This may be due to the anti-platelet properties of Ginkgo supplements or through interaction with other drugs.

Because Ginkgo biloba lowers the seizure threshold, people with epilepsy should not take this supplement.

Like many herbal supplements, Ginkgo biloba may interact with other medications. Patients taking alprazolam (Xanax), anticoagulants, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, diabetes medications, omeprazole (Prilosec), talinolol, or warfarin should avoid taking Ginkgo biloba or consult a doctor before using this supplement.

Ginkgo biloba may also negatively interact with some other herbal supplements, such as St. John’s wort, glucosamine, ginger, garlic, and ginseng.

When beginning to take Ginkgo biloba for vitiligo, use caution and carefully monitor your body for negative side effects. In rare cases, individuals may be allergic to a component in Ginkgo biloba supplements. Anaphylactic reactions are rare but possible.

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