What do I need to know about ginkgo biloba and ginseng?

Two herbs that patients ask us about more than any others are ginkgo biloba and ginseng. I lump them together here because I almost always hit them in combination when I have this talk with patients. Ginkgo biloba comes from the leaves and seeds of the Chinese ginkgo tree, and many people think it can boost memory, lower blood pressure, and even reverse aging.

Ginseng is a root that's taken as an energy booster, and some people also believe it can strengthen the immune system. Do they work? Patients want a definitive answer.

So we give them one: Try the supplements, and if they work for you, then yes, they work. There are plenty of studies on these herbs, but their results are contradictory. Most of the evidence for them comes from personal testimonials and anecdotes.

It's often impossible to know what's really in a bottle of ginkgo biloba or ginseng based on the label—because labels lie (and the law allows them to lie!). What one supplement manufacturer calls "ginseng" is what another may call "garbage." And even if the pills genuinely contain these herbs, their potency can vary greatly.

It can even depend on the time of year the herbs were harvested. Hunting for the little US Pharmocopiea "P" on the label will help ensure at least some consistency.

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