Ginkgo
Ginkgo—supports cognitive function, focus and clear thinking.
What is ginkgo?
Ginkgo comes from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba, sometimes called the maidenhair tree. It is one of the oldest surviving tree lineages on Earth, often described as a “living fossil”. Its leaves have a long history of use in China, while standardised extracts have become widely studied in modern botanical medicine.
How does ginkgo work?
Ginkgo is not primarily a GABA botanical. Its chemistry includes flavonoids alongside distinctive terpene lactones— plant compounds associated with aroma and smell, but with an unusual chemical structure.
These include ginkgolides and bilobalide, compounds that have been studied in relation to neuronal signalling, circulation and antioxidant activity. Research into cognition is nuanced. Some studies in people with cognitive impairment have produced positive findings, while research in healthy people has not shown a consistent nootropic or “smart drug” effect.
Why does SENTIA use ginkgo?
Social ease is not simply about slowing things down. A good conversation also asks us to listen, follow, respond and stay with the moment. Ginkgo brings a different dimension to the blend: its established territory is cognitive function, focus and mental clarity, rather than direct GABA modulation.
Which SENTIA products contain ginkgo?
Ginkgo FAQs
- Which part of ginkgo is used?
Botanical ginkgo preparations are made from the leaf.
- What are terpene lactones?
They are a group of plant compounds derived from terpene chemistry. Ginkgo contains distinctive examples including ginkgolides and bilobalide.
- Is ginkgo a GABA-enhancing botanical?
Not in the way magnolia bark, hops or lemon balm are studied. Ginkgo’s research story is much more strongly associated with cognition and other areas of neurobiology.
Sources
[1] Birks et al. Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia, Cochrane Review, 2002.
[2] Hort et al. Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761 in Mild Neurocognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review, 2023.
[3] Laws et al. Is Ginkgo biloba a cognitive enhancer in healthy individuals?, 2012.