Ginkgo is one of the most comprehensively studied plants, and it has a long list of medicinal uses. It is well known for its use in memory disorders and other conditions that are possibly caused by reduced blood flow in the brain, such as inner ear disorders. Because inner ear problems are present in Meniere's disease, it is possible that ginkgo may be beneficial for managing this condition. Consult with your doctor before taking ginkgo to treat Meniere's disease.
About Meniere's Disease
Meniere's disease is a disorder of your inner ear whose cause is usually unknown. If you have Meniere's disease, you may experience symptoms such as varying amounts of hearing loss, a feeling of fullness in the ear, and vertigo or dizziness. You may also have tinnitus, which is ringing, buzzing, roaring, or hissing sounds in the ear. Self-care actions to relieve symptoms include avoiding alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, and taking supplements such as ginkgo.
How It Works
Ginkgo contains substances called flavonoids and terpenoids that are potent antioxidants and may be responsible for its health benefits. According to the National Institutes of Health or NIH, ginkgo appears to improve blood circulation, which may help your brain, eyes, ears, and legs work better. Ginkgo may inhibit platelet stickiness in your blood vessels, which may offer additional benefit for managing conditions cause by insufficient blood circulation.
Preparations and Dosing
You can buy ginkgo as dried leaf for teas and in capsule, tablet, and liquid extract forms. Ginkgo extracts are standardized to contain 24 percent to 32 percent of flavonoids and 6 percent to 12 percent terpenoids. Standardized ginkgo is usually taken in doses of 120 mg to 240 mg per day, divided in two or three portions over the day. It may initially take four to six weeks for you to start seeing results.
Effectiveness
Although ginkgo has not specifically been studied for treating Meniere's disease, according to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, ginkgo may alleviate symptoms of unspecified inner ear disorders, including tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss. However, one study published in the British Medical Journal in 2001 showed that ginkgo was not better than placebo, or sugar pills, for treating tinnitus.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginkgo Biloba
- National Institutes of Health: Ginkgo
- PaloAltoMedicalFoundation.org: Meniere's Disease
- PaloAltoMedicalFoundation.org: Ginkgo
- "British Medical Journal"; Effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba in treating tinnitus: double blind, placebo controlled trial; S Drew, et al.; Jan 2001
