Ginkgo Biloba: The Chinese Circulation Herb
Ginkgo Biloba is one of the oldest living tree species on earth, with a fossil record stretching back more than two hundred million years. Its leaves have been used in Chinese herbal medicine for over a thousand years and are now one of the most clinically studied botanical extracts in the world.
Ginkgo is the circulation herb in Stamina for Men®. Where the other three herbs in our formula support energy, focus, or nerve calming, Ginkgo's role is to support blood flow.
Where Ginkgo Grows
Ginkgo Biloba is native to China and has been cultivated in Chinese temple gardens, Buddhist monasteries, and traditional herb gardens for more than a thousand years. The oldest surviving cultivated ginkgo trees in China are well over a thousand years old, some dating to the Tang Dynasty.
The tree is extraordinarily resilient. Ginkgos survived the asteroid impact that ended the dinosaurs, and individual trees in Hiroshima survived the atomic bomb and continued growing. It is one of the few living plant species classified as a true "living fossil," with no close living relatives.
The leaves are harvested in late summer when the green pigment is at peak concentration, before they begin their autumn yellowing. The variety used in Stamina for Men® is the traditional Chinese Ginkgo Biloba.
Traditional Use
Ginkgo's documented use in Chinese herbal practice goes back to the eleventh century, with the seeds and leaves both appearing in classical materia medica texts. The leaf, which is the part used in modern formulations, was traditionally prepared as a decoction and used for circulatory complaints, breathing difficulties, and what classical texts described as "stagnation" conditions affecting the limbs and the head.
Ginkgo only entered the Western herbal tradition in the twentieth century, when standardised extracts of the leaf were developed in Germany in the 1960s. Since then it has become one of the most widely sold herbal supplements in Europe and North America, where it is used primarily for circulation and cognitive support.
The traditional preparation is straightforward: dried leaves are decocted as a tea, taken as a tincture, or, in the modern era, standardised and encapsulated.
What the Research Shows
Ginkgo Biloba is one of the most heavily studied herbal extracts in the modern clinical literature, with decades of research into circulation, microcirculation, and blood flow.
A randomised, placebo-controlled crossover study published in Arzneimittel-Forschung studied Ginkgo's effect on peripheral microcirculation in healthy volunteers. Blood flow in the nail-fold capillaries increased significantly after a single dose, and erythrocyte aggregation decreased. Jung et al., Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1990.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial published in Planta Medica studied the effect of standardised Ginkgo Biloba extract on skin blood flow in middle-aged volunteers. Three weeks of supplementation produced measurable improvements in peripheral microcirculation. Boelsma et al., Planta Medica, 2004.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Drugs examined the broader herbal evidence base for erectile dysfunction, including Ginkgo Biloba. The review found mixed evidence for Ginkgo's effect on sexual function specifically, while acknowledging the well-established circulation effects that underlie the traditional rationale for its use. Borrelli et al., Drugs, 2018.
The honest summary is this: Ginkgo Biloba's effect on peripheral circulation is well-documented in the clinical literature. Its effect on sexual function as a standalone treatment is less consistent. Its role in Stamina for Men® is the circulation support, working alongside the other three herbs rather than carrying the formula on its own.
Ginkgo Biloba's Role in Stamina for Men
Stamina for Men® is built on four herbs, each chosen for a specific job. Ginkgo's job is the circulation support.
| Herb | Origin | Role in the formula |
|---|---|---|
| Maca | Peru | Baseline energy and vitality support |
| Panax Ginseng | Korea | Focused, more immediate energy lift |
| Damiana | Mexico | Calming, nerve-settling, traditional aphrodisiac |
| Ginkgo Biloba | China | Circulation support |
Circulation is the physiological mechanism that connects sexual function to general vascular health. Erectile function depends on blood flow. Maca provides the baseline energy, Panax Ginseng the focused lift, Damiana the nerve calming, and Ginkgo Biloba supports the circulatory pathway that the other three rely on to do their work.
The traditional pairing of Ginkgo with other tonic herbs is well documented in both Chinese and modern Western herbal practice. It is rarely used in isolation in formulation, and almost always combined with herbs that have complementary actions.
Safety and Interactions
Ginkgo Biloba has a long safety record at typical herbal doses. The amount in a sensible herbal formula, taken only when needed, sits well within the historical and clinical dose range.
A few practical notes:
- Ginkgo has documented blood-thinning effects. If you take anticoagulant medication such as warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel, speak to your doctor before adding Ginkgo.
- Ginkgo should be stopped at least two weeks before any planned surgery, again because of its effect on blood clotting.
- Ginkgo may interact with some seizure medications and SSRI antidepressants. If you take prescription medication for a neurological or psychiatric condition, speak to your doctor before adding it.
- Ginkgo is not recommended during pregnancy.
- Only Ginkgo leaf extract is used in Stamina for Men®. The raw ginkgo seed is not used and is not safe to consume in large amounts. The leaf extract sold in supplements does not carry this concern.
The Other Three Herbs in Our Formula
- Maca: the Peruvian Andean foundation herb
- Panax Ginseng: the Korean focused-energy root
- Damiana: the Mexican calming aphrodisiac
See all four herbs and how they work together on the Ingredients overview page.
For Ginkgo Biloba in the Australian context and how men are actually using it, see our article Ginkgo Biloba for Men in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ginkgo Biloba
How long does Ginkgo Biloba take to work?
The microcirculation studies show measurable effects within an hour of a single dose, with cumulative effects over weeks of regular use. In the Stamina for Men® formula, where Ginkgo sits alongside three other herbs and is taken only when needed, most men feel the combined effect of the formula within 30 to 40 minutes.
What does Ginkgo Biloba do for men?
In our formula, Ginkgo's role is circulation support. Erectile function depends on blood flow, and Ginkgo has a well-documented effect on peripheral microcirculation. It works alongside the energising and calming actions of the other three herbs.
Is Ginkgo Biloba safe with blood thinners?
Not without medical advice. Ginkgo has documented effects on blood clotting and can interact with anticoagulants like warfarin, aspirin, and clopidogrel. If you take any blood-thinning medication, speak to your doctor before adding Ginkgo.
Is the Ginkgo Biloba in Stamina for Men from China?
Yes. The Ginkgo in our formula is sourced from China, the herb's native country and the source of the longest documented tradition of use.
Can Ginkgo Biloba be taken every day?
Most of the clinical research uses daily dosing for weeks or months. Stamina for Men® is formulated to be taken only when needed, not daily.
Does Ginkgo Biloba raise testosterone?
Ginkgo is not a testosterone booster and is not framed as one in either the traditional or the modern literature. Its role is circulation support, not hormonal modulation.
Curious whether Stamina for Men® is right for you? The sample pack is free, you cover $4.50 shipping worldwide.
Last reviewed: 29 May 2026 by Greg Berryman, Founder of Stamina for Men®