Ginkgo Biloba & Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has a variety of common treatment approaches. Psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy, has been shown to be particularly effective in treating GAD. Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), have also been shown to be effective.

There are, however, a variety of alternative approaches to treatment that at least have some anecdotal evidence. One is ginkgo biloba extract.

Ginkgo Biloba Extract

In some countries, including Germany, ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 is a registered treatment for certain disorders involving mental decline, such as dementia. It is generally used to slow decline and even enhance cognitive processing; it may also help reduce anxiety. Much of the research on ginkgo extract has been done on animals, and the effects are promising.

One clinical trial, done on humans, showed some support for ginkgo biloba extract as a treatment for anxiety disorder.

The Research

Researchers gathered a group of people with GAD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and randomly divided them into groups that received either a high or low dose of ginkgo extract Egb 761, or a placebo. Neither the researchers nor the study participants knew who got what (the gold-standard for testing a treatment.) Each participant engaged in a task that was subtly stress-provoking, both physically and mentally. Afterward, the researchers examined stress and anxiety levels.

Results showed that the ginkgo extract was effective at reducing anxiety during the task, with the higher dose group showing the best outcome. It led the researchers to conclude that the study “strongly supports the notion that EGb 761 is effective in treatment of anxiety”.

What This Means to You

People with generalized anxiety disorder may want to consult with their treatment providers to determine if including ginkgo in their treatment regimen could be helpful. Side effects for most people are minimal, though there have been reports linking use of ginkgo to some bleeding disorders.

It's important to note that -- as with many herbal remedies -- many different preparations of ginkgo are available. This research was conducted on a specific extract, not one of the more general preparations you might find in a supplement store.

You should always consult with your health provider before starting any alternative treatment.

_Source:

Woelk et al (2007). Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb761 in generalized anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder with anxious mood: A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 41, 472-480.