Ginkgo Biloba for Tinnitus

Research suggests that Ginkgo biloba is unlikely to be an effective treatment for tinnitus based on the current body of evidence, which includes multiple Cochrane systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and broader clinical guidelines spanning from 2004 through 2022 — the majority of which found little to no meaningful benefit for tinnitus severity, loudness, or quality of life. A 2014 clinical practice guideline and a 2018 meta-analysis both concluded against its routine use, and a 2022 Cochrane review pooling data from nearly 1,900 participants across 12 randomized controlled trials similarly found no convincing effect, though it rated the overall certainty of evidence as low to very low due to poor study design and inconsistent outcome measures. A small number of more recent studies, including a 2023 placebo-controlled trial and a 2024 comparative medication study, reported some symptom improvements when Ginkgo biloba was combined with other compounds, though these findings come with important caveats including small sample sizes, short durations, and the difficulty of isolating Ginkgo biloba's specific contribution. Safety considerations are also worth noting, as the supplement has been associated with an increased bleeding risk when combined with certain medications, and some researchers have flagged concerns about naturally occurring toxic compounds present in ginkgo products.