Ginkgo trial - Spring 2024 update

[Ray200]

For those following (if there are any!) two things to report. Both have been 'strong suspicion' but its time to note them as observations...

Between once a week and three times a fortnight, I take 3 x 30mg leaf extract tablets just on the one day for relief from tinnitus the following day (although curiously during the shorter of the winter daylight days it took two days)

Observation 1: During the Ginkgo day, the intensity of my usually mild T does increase. I had always taken the last one just before bedtime. Probably from unconsciously having realized this is the case

Observation 2: More than likely, I get more relief on day plus two or three after the targeted relief day, gratis if you will. I can't explain that. I don't believe my T is getting any better so perhaps the brain is replicating the earlier effect without being prompted. If that is the case, then that is an even stronger pointer that a cure (at least for some) lies in the compounds found in the Ginkgo leaf. But of course, at the moment effects are temporary and T sings loud today

Earlier trial observations available by clicking on my username.

[Happyrosie]

thanks Ray and I remember your post and am glad you are reporting back.

Even if it’s a placebo effect, if it has a positive effect that’s all to,the good! Keep posting!

[Ray200 in reply to Happyrosie]

Hello again, Rosie. Nothing placebo about the relief. It is very real. Sometimes the T is no longer there (but it will come back).

The business about T getting louder during tablet day is sombre. I was loathe to accept it as so over the few months but if that is the way Ginkgo works ( at least for me) I have to reluctantly accept it.

[Beesmac]

Hi Ray200 - Thanks for the follow up on Ginko. Oddly enough Diazepam works the same way for me. I only use them in emergencies but if I’m having a really bad day I take half a 2mg tablet and although I don’t usually feel any relief the same day, the next couple of days are certainly good days. Placebo effect?? Possibly but it works for me and that, I believe is the key. Please keep us posted how you get on. x

[Ray200 in reply to Beesmac]

I have the same effect with Clomipramine Hydrochloride which is an anti depressant prescribed to be taken as an occasional one off during winter months when SAD has washed me out. Going on them permanently is out of the question as with others who don't actually have an underlying depression, the effects are not pleasant on the brain and I'd rather have the T. Every time.

[Philip6]

I’ve taken high strength Gingko pills for years and they do absolutely nothing for me. We’re all different. Gingko can work for vascular tinnitus.

[Ray200 in reply to Philip6]

It's all to do with approach. Taking 3 tablets a day, every day, for evermore is very much the realm of sophisticated manipulated Western medicine. We only have Ginkgo in its raw unrefined state. Hence the occasional dosing I've taken. That way works for me. You might want to consider ceasing Ginkgo forthwith, leaving it a few weeks then going onto one day a week. It might work for you that way too.

[Sagehendy]

There’s a lot to be said experimenting with different natural approaches to tackling T and learning from others. As the root cause is still unknown, while some experiments may bring a hoped for relief, many may not at all. However, I’m sure it’s been underlined before but it’s well worth repeating: beware taking herbal medicine without good nutritional advise from a health practitioner. As well as as a good doctor (who can check safety but who’s rarely interested in the complementary side), that can include a nutritionist or possibly a customer adviser in a health food shop (who’ll refer you to a doctor as a precaution). Herbal and natural medicine can come with serious contraindications and side effects. No one should jump in and try another person’s experiment, especially in the case of Ginkgo Biloba, without running through safety precautions. It can contraindicate with a raft of medicine (antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, blood thinning medication, such as warfarin or aspirin – ginkgo can enhance their effects, anticonvulsants – there is a risk gingko may trigger further seizures, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-virals, diabetes drugs, blood pressure medications) and other side effects. So check it out carefully.

Having said that, as a fellow sufferer of T, for many years I ran a health food shop. The anecdotal advise and existing research at the time cited 120mg of ginkgo supplemented with a good sublingual B12 (which oxidised the blood and helped with the absorption and circulation of ginkgo) taken over three months as a test period. About 5% of T customers tried it (myself included), which is only a fraction of customers. Maybe one or two at the most claimed relief; but for how long, is anyone’s guess. You didn’t always see the same people all the time and there’s a continuous cost which can put some off. There’s plenty of research out there. Sadly, in my experience, it doesn’t stack up - it amounted to a forlorn hope.

It should also be said a deficiency in the B vitamins, particularly B12, can affect hearing. So that’s another avenue to explore. Drinkers and smokers, for instance, and those with patchy diets can run down stores of B Vits.

[Ray200 in reply to Sagehendy]

Yes. Wise words from you. Last time I looked around half of all Western medicine is derived directly from plants, including compounds mimicking the effects of plants. Expecting an effect from something like Ginkgo means that anyone with other health conditions need to consult their GP for possible interaction. I didn't, as I don't have a condition that warrants that.

The bottom line is to get your Ginkgo from a reputable source and to read the label. I'm not anyone else's keeper and if they don't and act accordingly if need be, then they are on their own. Nothing to do with me.

[Kellythecat-74]

Hi Ray ,interesting trial. I took one G tablet a day for years .It was the only recommended supplement 20 years ago . It didnt seem to have any effect to the T noise up or down . However Mr T did eventually ( after years) fade away. Have you tried a lesser dose?

[Ray200]

The way I take Ginkgo means I can't take a lesser dose, Kelly! A lesser dose is effectively none...

[Sagehendy]

Quite right. It’s got to be at a level that actually impacts the body otherwise it’s a waste of money and of the trial. To be fair as well, if anyone steps outside the recommended dose on the bottle it should be under advise of a trained practitioner as the manufacturer won’t take responsibility if anything goes wrong. I take your point about personal responsibility too, although I’ve known ‘healthy’ people taking the upper maximum strength for a while and experiencing blood thinning effects. So, free of ailments is one thing but playing it safe and reading up on potential side effects is a sensible precaution.