Ginkgo Does Not Aid Mountain Sickness

Ginkgo Does Not Aid Mountain Sickness

LOMA LINDA, Calif.Use of Ginkgobiloba did not decrease incidence or severity ofsymptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS), according to a study published in theFeb. 14, 2005, issue of Archives of Internal Medicine (165,3:296-301) (http://archinte.ama-assn.org). Researchers from Loma Linda University randomized unacclimatedadults to receive the pharmaceutical acetazolamide, ginkgo or placebo in adouble blind fashion, and then spent 24 hours at an elevation of 3,800 meters.

AMS symptom intensity and occurrence were significantlydecreased in the acetazolamide group compared to placebo. Ginkgo did notdecrease severity of symptoms nor occurrence of symptoms. The researchersconcluded ginkgo is not an effective treatment for decreasing AMS symptoms ortheir occurrence.