Ginkgo Biloba: Healing Benefits for Eye, Brain and Circulatory Health

Ginkgo biloba benefits have been celebrated for centuries, from improving memory to enhancing circulation. But modern research is now uncovering exciting potential in ginkgo biloba extract for eyes — particularly its ability to support optic nerve health, promote blood flow to the retina, and help maintain visual function as we age.

Once revered in ancient temples, scientists are continuing to study ginkgo biloba in top laboratories — and for good reason. With roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine and leaves used to support everything from memory to macular health, ginkgo biloba offers benefits for eyes, cognition, memory, and stronger circulation — especially for those over 50.

Ginkgo Biloba Benefits for Eyes & General Health

To truly appreciate ginkgo biloba's healing benefits, it's worth understanding its origins.

Ginkgo biloba trees are living fossils — dating back over 200 million years. These resilient giants can survive for over a thousand years, resisting fire, pollution, and disease. But it's not their bark or branches that offer health benefits — it’s their leaves.

Native to China but now found in cities around the world, ginkgo trees may blend into the background. Yet hidden in their fan-shaped leaves are bioactive compounds that have fascinated researchers and healers alike. The fruit and seeds can be toxic if improperly prepared, but the leaves are where the real power lies.

1. Ginkgo Biloba Benefits for Eyes

So, what makes ginkgo biloba extract for eyes so beneficial? The answer lies in its ability to enhance blood circulation and reduce oxidative damage at the mitochondrial level.

Among the most promising ginkgo biloba benefits for eyes is its potential to support people with glaucoma — particularly those with normal tension glaucoma. Several clinical studies have shown that ginkgo biloba may help stabilise or even improve visual field loss by enhancing blood flow to the optic nerve, reducing platelet aggregation, and increasing antioxidant activity within retinal ganglion cells.

A landmark study published in Ophthalmology demonstrated that individuals with normal tension glaucoma experienced statistically significant improvements in visual field indices after supplementing with 120 mg/day of ginkgo biloba for four weeks. Another study published in the Journal of Glaucoma suggested that long term supplementation (over 4 years) with ginkgo biloba helped to slow visual field damage in normal tension glaucoma.

While ginkgo biloba is not a replacement for pressure-lowering therapies, its adjunctive use offers an exciting, non-invasive avenue to support optic nerve health in those with well-controlled eye pressure.

2. Other Ginkgo Biloba General Health Benefits

• Cardiovascular Health: Ginkgo biloba leaf extract contains over 60 bioactive compounds, including a high concentration of flavonoids and terpenoids, which reduce blood viscosity, inhibit platelet aggregation and improve blood flow.
• Cognitive Function: Research has shown that ginkgo biloba can improve memory and cognitive abilities, making it a popular adjunctive treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Even younger adults use ginkgo biloba to stay sharp as cognitive decline can begin as early as your 30s.
• Anti-Ageing Antioxidant: As an antioxidant, ginkgo biloba plays a key role in neutralising free radicals - unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to ageing - at the mitochondrial level. This is why ginkgo biloba is a key ingredient in anti-ageing supplements. This means radiant skin, better energy levels, and a sharper mind.

You can find ginkgo biloba as capsules, tablets, or liquid extracts. The liquid form is great for those who prefer to mix it into meals or drinks, while capsules are convenient for consistent dosing.

For those looking to support not just one area, but the full eye-nerve-brain ecosystem, Nutravision combines ginkgo biloba with other important clinically validated nutrients like: saffron, European bilberry, nicotinamide (vitamin B3), lutein and methylcobalamin (activated vitamin B12).

This award-winning formulation is built on our pioneering NP-10 System™ — a science-backed framework that targets 10 key pathways involved in long-term eye, nerve, and brain health — that removes the guesswork and ensures high bioavailability and synergy between nutrients.

Ginkgo biloba is generally safe when taken as a standardised extract. Some people may experience mild effects such as headaches or gastrointestinal discomfort. Concerns about bleeding risk have not been supported by large randomised clinical trials and meta-analyses.

Please note that ginkgo biloba fruit and seeds contain a toxin called ginkgotoxin, making them potentially poisonous if consumed in large amounts. Although ginkgo biloba seeds (known as "白果" or bái guǒ) are prized as a delicacy in Chinese culture, especially during special occasions, they must be carefully prepared to ensure they are safe to eat.

Pro Tip: For safety and efficacy, always check that your ginkgo supplement is standardised and made from the leaves only.