New Evidence About Ginkgo and ADHD
“Is there evidence supporting the use of the herb ginkgo biloba in treating ADHD?”
Ginkgo biloba has been associated with improved cognitive performance in a number of studies. There have been a few small studies on ginkgo and ADHD in the past, some positive and some not. A recent well-designed, placebo-controlled study, published in April 2015, looked at the effects of ginkgo added to existing methylphenidate treatment on children with ADHD.1 The results showed that ginkgo increased the effectiveness of methylphenidate by 35 percent, but mainly for inattentive, not hyperactive, symptoms. Ginkgo is a reasonable option for those looking for an alternative treatment, with or without medication. Talk with a doctor who routinely uses herbs in her practice.
1 Shakibaei, Fereshteh, et al. “Ginkgo Biloba in the Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents. A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Trial.” Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, vol. 21, no. 2, Apr. 2015, pp. 61–67., doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.04.001.
