Ginkgo leaf (flavonoid glycosides and terpene lactones) イチョウ葉（フラボノイド配糖体・テルペンラクトン）

In Japan: Foods with Function Claims notifications

Functions claimed (counted from notifications with this ingredient alone)

Examples of notified claims (our translation)

Cautions written in the notifications (most common)

• “If you are taking antithrombotic drugs such as warfarin, or are about to have treatment that involves bleeding, such as dental treatment or surgery, avoid taking this product.” (20 notifications)
• “If you are about to have treatment that involves bleeding, such as dental treatment or surgery, or are taking antithrombotic drugs such as warfarin or blood-sugar-lowering drugs, avoid taking this product.” (10 notifications)
• “If you have a history of epileptic seizures or have epilepsy, or are taking medication that increases the tendency to bleed, such as warfarin or anticoagulants, please refrain from taking this product.” (8 notifications)
• “If you are taking anticoagulants such as warfarin, avoid taking this product.” (7 notifications)
• “Taking too much of this product may increase the tendency to bleed, so be careful not to take an excessive amount.” (7 notifications)
• “Please refrain from taking an excessive amount of this product, as it may increase the tendency to bleed.” (6 notifications)
• “Taking too much of this product may increase the tendency to bleed, so be careful not to take an excessive amount.” (3 notifications)

Under Foods with Function Claims, the company notifies the Consumer Affairs Agency of the scientific evidence on its own responsibility; the government does not review or approve it. You can look up each product's notification by the number on the package in the Consumer Affairs Agency's database (Japanese).

In the EU: the register of health claims

No claim in the EU register

• No claim for this ingredient appears in the EU health claims register. In the EU, the evaluation of many botanical claims (about 2,000) remains on hold, and those claims are not listed in the register.

In the EU, only health claims whose evidence has been assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and authorised by the European Commission may be used on food. “Not authorised” means the evidence for that claim was not established under EU standards — not that the ingredient is dangerous.

What the US NIH says

• A clear benefit has not been shown for any of the health conditions studied. In a trial (GEM) that followed more than 3,000 people aged 75 and older for about 6 years, the proportion of people who developed dementia did not differ from placebo.
• It may raise the risk of bleeding in people taking anticoagulants such as warfarin. Raw or cooked ginkgo seeds are toxic.

Sources: NCCIH "Ginkgo"

Other ingredients in the same categories

• Lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria
• GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
• Lutein and zeaxanthin
• Ellagic acid
• DHA and EPA
• Astaxanthin