The herbal “remedy”, Ginkgo biloba, is one of the more popular and well-known products of the alternative medicine industry. Proponents claim that it has benefits in treating memory loss, depression, headache, irritable bladder, alcohol abuse, blood vessel blockages, lack of focus and dizziness.

However, a recent literature review by Eckhard Leistner and Christel Drewke of the Institut fur Pharmazeutische Biologie in Bonn, Germany, found ten reports suggesting that the remedy can increase the frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy. G. biloba may also interfere with anti-seizure medication.

• Ginkgo biloba and Ginkgotoxin
  E. Leistner, C. Drewke,
  J. Nat. Prod. 2010, 73 (1), 86-92.