May 09, 2022 4 min read

Ginkgo is an ancient remedy said to help improve circulation and benefit brain health. Although research regarding Ginkgo’s true therapeutic potential is still ongoing, many people have incorporated it into their daily wellness routine with positive outcomes.

Before you can dive into your new dosing routine, though, you need to know some important details, like when’s the best time to take Ginkgo Biloba, and should you take it every day?

It really depends on your unique needs, but in general, yes, you should take Ginkgo at or around the same time everyday. If you’re wondering where to work it into your wellness regimen, here's what you should know:

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Table of Contents
Ginkgo Benefits
When to Take Ginkgo
How Long Will It Take for Ginkgo to Work?
How Much Ginkgo Can You Take?
Tips for the Best Time to Take Ginkgo
Resources

Key Takeaways

  • The best time to take Ginkgo depends on your unique wellness routine and health needs.
  • Taking Ginkgo daily is the best way to reap maximum benefits.
  • You should discuss your wellness routine with your doctor to determine the best time to take Ginkgo surrounding other supplements or medications.

Ginkgo Benefits

Ginkgo’s potential benefits have been acknowledged by some cultures for quite some time, but modern allopathic medicine has only just begun to dig into Ginkgo research. So far, evidence suggests that it may have various cognitive and mood enhancing effects and possible neuroprotective benefits.

A 1996 study found a Ginkgo extract to be effective in treating Alzheimer’s Disease. Another trial the following year offered a similar conclusion.

study from 2007 evaluated the benefits of Ginkgo Biloba for people with anxiety and found that the participants who took Ginkgo reported higher levels of anxiety relief compared to the placebo group. Another small study found that participants with glaucoma experienced improved vision after taking ginkgo daily for several weeks.

Although researchers disagree on the extent of Ginkgo’s benefits or why it may have these effects, many do agree that Ginkgo’s positive effects on circulation may be at play.

To learn more, read “Ginkgo Benefits.”

A person holding a single Ginkgo Biloba capsule, part of a multi-dose daily wellness routine

When to Take Ginkgo Biloba

There are many reasons you may choose to take Ginkgo, and this, as well as different lifestyle factors, may impact when you should take Ginkgo Biloba each day. Some factors that may impact your dosing routine decisions include:

  • The reason you intend to take it
  • Your total Ginkgo dosage
  • Your sleep-wake routine
  • What time of day is most convenient for regular doses
  • Other supplements or medications you may take daily

Most significantly, though, when you should take Ginkgo depends on why you intend to use it:

When to Take Ginkgo for Focus

If you're using Ginkgo to improve your focus or energy levels, we recommend taking it first thing in the morning, ideally about 30 minutes before breakfast.

When to Take Ginkgo for Sleep

Some sources suggest that Ginkgo can help relax you and improve sleep. In this case, you may want to take your Ginkgo dose about 30-60 minutes before bed.

When to Take Ginkgo for Anxiety

In addition to Ginkgo's potential relaxing effects when taken for sleep, some people suggest that it can have a similar calming effect that makes it beneficial for managing anxiety. In this case, you may want to take a small to moderate dose of Ginkgo twice a day, possibly with meals (like breakfast and dinner).

How Long Will It Take for Ginkgo to Work?

Ginkgo Biloba takes about half an hour to be absorbed by the body, although the effects of Ginkgo are not entirely apparent for the first few weeks. You may need to take Ginkgo daily for 2-3 weeks to reap optimal benefits. This is because Ginkgo creates a systemic, balancing effect that increases over time, meaning consistent doses will be much more beneficial than a one-off dose.

How Much Ginkgo Can You Take?

People often take between 100-600 mg of Ginkgo Biloba daily. Some people may divide their total dosage into multiple daily doses. On average, many people take 150-200 mg doses twice daily.

We recommend you start with small doses and increase slowly as needed, allowing several days to evaluate the effects before changing your dosing routine. Ginkgo powder makes it easy to adjust your dosage. Talk to your doctor for help adjusting your wellness routine. Using the correct dosage is the best way to avoid Ginkgo side effects

Read “Ginkgo Biloba Dosage” to learn more about how much to take for different health benefits.

Tips for the Best Time to Take Ginkgo

  • You can take Ginkgo in multiple evenly spaced doses throughout the day. You should do this by splitting your total daily dosage into two or three doses.
  • Some people prefer to take a one-off dose in order to reap specific benefits, like improving cognition during the day or enhancing sleep at night.
  • Use a Ginkgo powder if you’d like to be able to easily alter the dosage size.
  • Take supplements with plenty of water to help avoid heartburn and improve absorption. Alternatively, you can use a Ginkgo powder mixed with your favorite beverage.
  • Ginkgo works best when taken everyday and the benefits may be more apparent over time.
  • Talk to your doctor about your Ginkgo dosing regimen if you take other supplements or medications. Ginkgo may be associated with some drug interactions, so it is important to include your doctor when making changes to your wellness routine.

Resources

  1. “Proof of efficacy of the ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in outpatients suffering from mild to moderate primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type or multi-infarct dementia” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8741021/
  2. “A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of an extract of Ginkgo biloba for dementia. North American EGb Study Group” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9343463/
  3. “Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in generalized anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder with anxious mood: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16808927/
  4. “Effect of Ginkgo Biloba on Visual Field and Contrast Sensitivity in Chinese Patients With Normal Tension Glaucoma: A Randomized, Crossover Clinical Trial” https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2127938

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