Cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba
Cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba has been studied in 2 papers since 2024: 2 trials in people; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Mar 2, 2026: “Cistanche tubulosa-Ginkgo biloba combination enhances memory via cortico-cerebellar reorganization: a randomized controlled trial”.
2 papers study it9 findingsUpdated
“CG tablets significantly improved scores in across multiple dimensions, including directional memory, associative learning, graphic free recall, portrait memory, total memory, and Memory Quotient”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 2 independent labs in 1 country
- Human trial2
Studies in people
2 studies gave cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba to people and measured what changed.
up: Increases cerebellar culmen activity
Randomized trial117 people28.2% male representation48.2 ± 6.8 years30 days
Healthy subjects aged between 30 and 65 years
Frontiers in pharmacology, Mar 2, 2026
up: Improves cognitive function26.5 at baseline vs. 27.1 at Day 90, p < 0.001
up: Improves quality of life81.6 at baseline vs. 84.2 at Day 90, p < 0.001
up: Improves memory
Randomized trial100 peoplemiddle-aged and elderly90 days
Midlife adults; Older adults
Phytotherapy research : PTR, Jul 7, 2024
What did studies of Cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba find?
6Studies of Cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba measured 6 outcomes; the most studied are memory (2 studies), cerebellar culmen activity (1) and gray matter volume (1).
Memory
upin humans2
2 studies
Memory
upin humans2
Cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba improves memory in humans (p < 0.001).
“In the full cohort, global cognitive metrics including the total composite score and MQ showed significant between-group improvement favoring the CG group (p < 0.001).”
Human trial30 daysn = 117
Frontiers in pharmacology
Cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba improves memory in humans (healthy participants) (p < 0.01).
“CG tablets significantly improved scores in across multiple dimensions, including directional memory, associative learning, graphic free recall, portrait memory, total memory, and Memory Quotient”
Human trialhealthy participantstablets30 daysn = 117
Frontiers in pharmacology
Cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba improves memory in humans.
“Notably, both the Cognitrax matrix test and the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised demonstrated enhanced memory functions, including long-term and delayed memory, after CG intervention.”
Human trialtwo tablets daily, with each pair of CG tablets containing 72 mg echinacoside and 27 mg flavonol glycosides90 daysn = 100
Phytotherapy research : PTR
Cerebellar culmen activity
upin humans1
1 study
Cerebellar culmen activity
upin humans1
Cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba increases cerebellar culmen activity in neuroimaging subsample.
“Resting-state fMRI analysis of fALFF demonstrated significant CG-specific increases in fALFF within the left cerebellar lobule VI (peak MNI coordinates: 3, −72, −6; 12, −78, −12) - a key node in cognitive-motor networks.”
Human trialin neuroimaging subsample30 daysn = 15
Frontiers in pharmacology
Cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba increases cerebellar culmen activity in humans (healthy participants) (p = 0.031, p = 0.007).
“fMRI revealed increased activity in the cerebellar culmen, which positively correlated with improvements in directional memory (p = 0.031) and total memory score (p = 0.007).”
Human trialhealthy participantstabletscerebellar culmen30 daysn = 117
Frontiers in pharmacology
Gray matter volume
downin humans1
1 study
Gray matter volume
downin humans1
Cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba decreases gray matter volume in humans (healthy participants).
“After intervention, slight reductions in GMV were observed in precentral gyrus and supplementary motor area.”
Human trialhealthy participantstabletsbrain30 daysn = 117
Frontiers in pharmacology
Total tau
downin humans1
1 study
Total tau
downin humans1
Cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba decreases total tau in humans.
“cognitive-related blood biomarkers, including total tau, pT181, pS199, pT231, pS396, and thyroid-stimulating hormone, significantly decreased”
Human trialtwo tablets daily, with each pair of CG tablets containing 72 mg echinacoside and 27 mg flavonol glycosidesblood90 daysn = 100
Phytotherapy research : PTR
Quality of life
upin humans1
1 study
Quality of life
upin humans1
Cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba improves quality of life in humans (81.6 at baseline vs. 84.2 at Day 90, p < 0.001).
“World Health Organization Quality of Life (81.6 at baseline vs. 84.2 at Day 90, p < 0.001), all surpassing scores in placebo group.”
Human trialtwo tablets daily, with each pair of CG tablets containing 72 mg echinacoside and 27 mg flavonol glycosides90 daysn = 100
Phytotherapy research : PTR
Cognitive function
upin humans1
1 study
Cognitive function
upin humans1
Cistanche tubulosa + ginkgo biloba improves cognitive function in humans (26.5 at baseline vs. 27.1 at Day 90, p < 0.001).
“The CG group exhibited significant improvements in the scores of Mini-Mental State Examination (26.5 at baseline vs. 27.1 at Day 90, p < 0.001), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (23.4 at baseline vs. 25.3 at Day 90”
Human trialtwo tablets daily, with each pair of CG tablets containing 72 mg echinacoside and 27 mg flavonol glycosides90 daysn = 100
Phytotherapy research : PTR