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Ginkgo Biloba vs Ashwagandha (Can You Take Them Together?)

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I’m a big, big fan of herbal supplements.

Most of them have a lot to offer, but since they’re often similar, it can be hard for some people to choose between them.

If that’s you, you’ve found the right blog 😉

I started this Supplement Comparison Series for that exact reason. In each article, I take two types of supplements and put them up against each other on their pros, cons, price, my recommendations, and more to help you figure out which one to use.

In this article, we’ll take a look at Ginkgo Biloba vs Ashwagandha.

Let’s get going.

What is Ginkgo Biloba?

Ginkgo Biloba is a herb that’s mainly used to treat a variety of conditions and boost brain health.

Many of the health benefits of Ginkgo Biloba are credited to compounds called Flavonoids.

Although Ginkgo Biloba supplements mainly use extracts from the plant’s leaf, the seeds are often used for healing purposes in traditional chinese medicine.

What is Ashwagandha?

ashwagandha plant

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) is a herb that’s used to promote feelings of strength, vitality and calmness.

Originating from India, Ashwagandha has grown and been used for many thousand years.

It belongs to the Nightshade family of plants which includes everyday fruit and vegetables like tomatoes and potatoes.

Ashwagandha’s name refers to the phrase “the scent of a horse” in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit.

(The root of Ashwagandha supposedly smells like horse sweat.)

Benefits

Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba may help reduce anxiety

Did you know that anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States?

In fact, a whopping 40 million American adults suffer from anxiety related disorders.

Thankfully, Ginkgo Biloba has shown some promise at treating anxiety in clinical trials.

For example, a study of 107 subjects with anxiety had them take either 240mg of Ginkgo Biloba, 480mg of Ginkgo Biloba or a placebo.

Compared to those in the placebo group, the subjects who took 480mg of Ginkgo Biloba reported a 45% bigger reduction in anxiety symptoms.

Ginkgo Biloba may reduce Dementia symptoms

Although there isn’t that much research, the little evidence that does exist suggests that Ginkgo Biloba may slow down the rate of mental decline in Dementia patients.

For example, a review of 21 studies concluded that Ginkgo Biloba may boost mental function in people with Alzheimer’s.

Just to be clear though, Ginkgo Biloba was used alongside standard treatment, rather than as a replacement.

Another review of 4 studies found a significant improvement in Dementia symptoms when Ginkgo Biloba was supplemented for 22 – 24 weeks.

Ginkgo Biloba may help reduce PMS symptoms

PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is the name given to the symptoms some women may notice a few weeks before their period.

These symptoms can range from mood swings, to acne breakouts, to anxiety and are problematic for many.

Well, if you do suffer from PMS, then you’ll be pleased to know that Ginkgo Biloba may be able to help.

A study of 85 students investigated how Ginkgo Biloba affects PMS symptoms.

The results showed that supplementing with Ginkgo Biloba reduced PMS symptoms by 23%.

Ginkgo Biloba is loaded with antioxidants

Oxidative stress is the result of free radical build-up, and it’s believed to have an important role in many diseases and aging.

So, to reduce this oxidative stress, you really ought to stop free radicals from accumulating.

And how can I stop this from happening? I hear you ask.

Antioxidants.

These are powerful molecules that work by neutralising free radicals.

So by increasing your antioxidant intake, you should have less oxidative stress.

Ginkgo Biloba is rich in powerful antioxidant compounds, including flavonoids and terpenoids.

Benefits of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha may increase testosterone levels

Nowadays, many people have lower than ideal T levels.

There are many reasons for this, including lower meat intake, high sugar consumption and terrible sleep hygiene.

But despite popular belief, testosterone isn’t just important for muscle growth and sexual function.

In fact, it could play an important role in mental health, as research suggests that low T levels may be the cause of depression in ageing men.

A study investigated the effects of Ashwagandha on the seminal fluid quality of infertile men.

The results showed that Ashwagandha increased the nutritional value of their seminal fluid, as well as boosting seminal testosterone.

Ashwagandha may increase muscle size and strength

I don’t know about you, but herbs which promise to increase muscle remind me of the The Secret To Getting Ripped In 24 Hours adverts you used to see everywhere.

In other words, most of them are rubbish.

But research suggests that Ashwagandha may be an exception.

A study of 57 people looked at Ashwagandha’s effects on muscle size and strength.

Some of the participants took 600mg of daily Ashwagandha, and the others took a placebo.

By the end of the study, those who took Ashwagandha had greater increases in muscle size, strength, fat loss and testosterone levels than the placebo takers.

Ashwagandha may lower blood sugar levels

Like other adaptogenic herbs, Ashwagandha has been shown to lower blood sugar levels.

For example, a study of 12 people looked at how Ashwagandha affected their blood sugar levels.

After supplementing with Ashwagandha for a month, the subjects had a decrease in blood sugar like that of blood sugar lowering medication.

Ashwagandha may improve anxiety

Research suggests that Ashwagandha may be a helpful supplement for anxiety sufferers.

An 8-week study had its subjects take either a placebo or 600mg of Ashwagandha every day.

At the end of the 8 weeks, those who took Ashwagandha had a significant reduction in scores on the “stress test” compared to the placebo takers.

Another study over 6 weeks investigated the effects of Ashwagandha on anxiety symptoms in the subjects.

The results showed that 88% of the Ashwagandha users had improved anxiety symptoms.

Cost

Ginkgo Biloba Cost

Ginkgo Biloba is typically sold as a liquid extract or in capsules.

Here are some standard prices for these:

  • Capsules: $11 for 120
  • Liquid extract: $14 for 2 Oz

Ashwagandha Cost

Ashwagandha is generally sold as a liquid extract or in tablets.

Typical prices for these are:

  • Tablets: $18 for 100
  • Liquid extract: $17 for 2 Oz

Side Effects

Ginkgo Biloba Side Effects

Ginkgo Biloba is well-tolerated by most people, but the following side effects have been reported by some people:

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Upset stomach

It’s important to stress that these people SHOULD NOT be taking Ginkgo Biloba as it may cause adverse reactions:

  • Those taking NSAIDS
  • Those taking blood thinners
  • Those taking antidepressants
  • Those allergic to plants which contain Alkylphenols

Ashwagandha Side Effects

Like with Ginkgo Biloba, Ashwagandha supplements are typically safe in healthy adults.

But in some clinical studies, the following side effects have been reported:

  • Sleepiness
  • Headaches
  • Upset stomach

Also, since Ashwagandha can lower your blood sugar levels, then please consult a doctor before taking it if you’re diabetic or are taking medication to lower your blood sugar levels.

The following people should NOT take Ashwagandha:

  • Pregnant women
  • People with stomach ulcers
  • Those with high/low blood pressure
  • People who’re allergic to Nightshade plants, i.e. Potatoes, Tomatoes, etc.
  • People with autoimmune conditions, i.e. Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc.

Recommendations

My Ginkgo Biloba Recommendation: NOW Ginkgo Biloba

Click to see on Amazon

Overview

A high-quality, potent Ginkgo Biloba supplement from a world-renowned brand.

And with a low price too, you’ll do well to find a better option than NOW Ginkgo Biloba.

What I like about it

100s of fantastic reviews show that this is a great Ginkgo Biloba supplement that’s used by many people, who have seen amazing results.

And with a potency of 120mg per capsule, NOW Ginkgo Biloba ranks among the strongest on the market.

Also, NOW are recognised worldwide for providing top quality supplements.

Perhaps one reason is that they’re GMP certified.

This basically means that each step of their manufacturing process is overseen and watched for quality assurance purposes.

(Just to be clear, this is surprisingly rare in the supplement industry, where product quality varies massively…)

Potential Drawbacks

Some users of this product have reported upset stomach after taking it, but that could just be that they’re sensitive to Ginkgo Biloba.

Check price and read more reviews of NOW Ginkgo Biloba on Amazon.

My Ashwagandha Recommendation: NaturaLife Labs Ashwagandha

Click to see on Amazon

Overview

Fair-priced? Yup.

High potency? Tick.

Highly absorbable? Check.

NaturaLife Labs Ashwagandha provides exactly what you need from an Ashwagandha supplement.

What I like about it

A great feature of this product is that it includes black pepper extract.

This makes the Ashwagandha super absorbable, making this supplement more effective than the other Ashwagandha supplements out there.

I also like how NaturaLife Labs include only natural, organic ingredients so you can take it with the peace of mind that it’s free from nasty additives and chemicals.

The reviews are pretty epic too, which shows that this supplement works for many people just like you.

Potential Drawbacks

If I was to be super picky, it would be that the bottle only lasts a month when following the recommended serving size.

(Reading that back, that really is super picky…)

Check price and read more reviews of NaturaLife Labs Ashwagandha on Amazon.

Can You Take Ginkgo Biloba And Ashwagandha Together?

There are some supplements out there which contain both Ginkgo Biloba and Ashwagandha, which suggests that they can be taken together.

That being said, you should always consult a medical doctor before starting a new supplement regimen.

Ginkgo Biloba vs Ashwagandha: The Verdict

Congrats – you’ve made it to the very end of this Ginkgo Biloba vs Ashwagandha face off!

And if I’ve done my job correctly, you should know exactly which of the 2 you’re going to use and see massive results with.

If not? Then here’s what I’d recommend as a rough guide:

You might prefer Ginkgo Biloba if:

  • You want to reduce symptoms of PMS
  • You want to boost your antioxidant intake
  • You want to reduce Dementia/Alzheimer’s symptoms

You might prefer Ashwagandha if:

  • You want to build muscle
  • You want to increase your testosterone
  • You want to lower your blood sugar levels

That’s all for this article, but what about Valerian Root vs Ashwagandha? Or perhaps you’re interested in Kava vs Ashwagandha?

Hope this helped!