The US Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is urging consumers to avoid supplements made with ginkgo biloba, which are often adulterated and have largely been shown to be ineffective in preventing dementia and improving circulation. The CSPI sent 10 samples for analysis, and 6 of these had far less ginkgo than advertised or showed evidence of having been adulterated with cheaper plant material. CSPI have written to the FDA to take action on gingo supplements. There is also other evidence, that up to 70% of gingo supplements on the US market are adulterated because the leaves of the ginkgo tree are expensive, and a large quantity of leaves is needed to produce ginkgo extracts.. The adulteration is quite sophisticated consisting of using flavonol rich plant materials such as the Japanese pagoda tree and buckwheat extracts to arrive at the pharmacopeial standard of 24% flavonol glycosides and 6% diterpene lactones. 

    Read CSPI's Press Release and associated article

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