Ginkgo is one of the top 25 selling herbal supplements in the US. As popular as it is, it’s also very commonly adulterated.
A recent study shows that ginkgo products produced by lower quality manufacturers are commonly adulterated with both rutin and quercetin. These chemicals both occur naturally in ginkgo, so adding them to ginkgo products makes the products much cheaper to produce while still appearing high quality to consumers and in some tests. Of the 35 analyzed gingko supplements, 33 contained low levels of ginkgo and/or high levels of rutin and quercetin. While products adulterated with rutin and quercetin shouldn’t pose major safety concerns, there isn’t evidence supporting their effectiveness for many of the common uses for ginkgo, including brain health and blood circulation.
If your patients are interested in taking a ginkgo supplement, tell them to stick to products verified by a third party like USP. Also, remind patients that herbal combination products, particularly those manufactured overseas, are frequently tainted with drugs and heavy metals.
Check out our ginkgo monograph to view a list of USP verified products.
The information in this brief report is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions. Copyright © 2024 NatMed. Commercial distribution or reproduction prohibited. NatMed is the leading provider of high-quality, evidence-based, clinically-relevant information on natural medicine, dietary supplements, herbs, vitamins, minerals, functional foods, diets, complementary practices, CAM modalities, exercises and medical conditions. Monograph sections include interactions with herbs, drugs, foods and labs, contraindications, depletions, dosing, toxicology, adverse effects, pregnancy and lactation data, synonyms, safety and effectiveness.
