Name of treatment |
Ginkgo biloba |
|
Type of treatment |
Dietary supplement |
|
Claims for treatment |
Reduces/eliminates the tinnitus percept |
|
How treatment is delivered |
Orally as tablets |
|
Potential negative consequences |
Side effects[1] Cost |
Evidence offered: |
|
|
Papers available |
>50 via PubMed |
|
Conclusions drawn |
The limited evidence does not demonstrate that Ginkgo biloba is effective for tinnitus when this is the primary complaint.[2] It does not reduce the intensity of tinnitus or improve quality of life.[3] |
|
Quality of evidence[4] |
A |
|
Does the BTA recommend this treatment? |
No. Dietary supplements should not be recommended to treat tinnitus.[5] [6] [7] |
|
BTA opinion on this treatment: |
Although independent evidence is limited, what there is does not show that Ginkgo biloba is effective for tinnitus. The potential side effects may cause serious harm. We would suggest you talk to your GP before taking any new medication or supplement. |
|
Would the BTA support further studies into this treatment? |
No |
|
Verdict: Safety – is this treatment harmful? |
Evidence of harm |
|
Verdict: Efficacy – does this treatment work? |
Evidence that it has no effect |
|
Comments |
Numerous studies over a long period of time have not shown any positive effect from taking Ginkgo biloba |
For further information
The BTA Tinnitus Support Team can answer your questions on any tinnitus related topics:
Telephone: 0800 018 0527
Web chat: – click on the icon
Email: [email protected]
Text/SMS: 07537 416841
We also offer a free tinnitus e-learning programme, Take on Tinnitus.
Download this information
This information is in PDF format.
Feedback
We welcome feedback on all our information. You can pass your comments to our Communications Team:
Telephone: 0114 250 9933
Email: [email protected]
or by writing to us at the address below.
References
[1] Drugsite Trust. Ginkgo biloba. Available from https://www.drugs.com/cdi/ginkgo-biloba.html [accessed 18 July 2022]
[2] Hilton MP, Zimmermann EF, Hunt WT. Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD003852. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003852.pub3.
[3] Kramer F, Ortigoza Á. Ginkgo biloba for the treatment of tinnitus. Medwave. 2018 Oct 17;18(6):e7295. English, Spanish. doi: 10.5867/medwave.2018.06.7294. Erratum in: Medwave. 2018 Nov 13;18(7):e7337. PMID: 30339143.
[4] A = Systematic review/meta analysis. B = Randomised control studies. C = Cohort studies. D = Case control studies. E = case studies/reports. +/- to be used to indicate quality within bands
[5] Coelho C, Tyler R, Ji H, Rojas-Roncancio E, Witt S, Tao P, Jun HJ, Wang TC, Hansen MR, Gantz BJ. (2016) Survey on the Effectiveness of Dietary Supplements to Treat Tinnitus. American Journal of Audiology. 25(3): 184-205
[6] British Society of Audiology. Practice Guidance – Tinnitus in Adults. (2021) Available from: https://www.thebsa.org.uk/resources/practice-guidance-tinnitus-in-adults/
[7] Tunkel DE, Bauer CA, Sun GH, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Tinnitus. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2014;151(2_suppl): S1-S40. doi:10.1177/0194599814545325
Author: Nic Wray
Version 2.0
Updated: 18 July 2022
To be reviewed: July 2025
Photo by Junjie Tam on Unsplash
