The Oxygen Connection: Ginkgo Biloba and Hypoxia Protection

Written by: Lian Hooi San, B.Sc in Food Science and Nutrition, M.Sc. Clinical Nutrition

When Oxygen Runs Low

During the COVID-19 pandemic, one medical condition that frightened everyone was low oxygen saturation. The pulse oximeter—a device once seen mainly in medical dramas—suddenly became a household essential. But what actually causes low oxygen, and how does your body cope when oxygen levels drop?

Two Conditions of Low Oxygen: Hypoxemia and Hypoxia

• Hypoxemia refers to a low concentration of oxygen in the arterial blood.
• Hypoxia refers to a reduction in oxygen supply at the tissue and organ level.

What Is Hypoxia?

Hypoxia is a condition in which body tissues do not receive enough oxygen to function properly. Since oxygen is vital for cellular metabolism, any drop in its levels causes organs and systems to suffer.

This may occur due to ageing, poor lung function, reduced blood flow, anaemia, hypoxemia, cellular dysfunction (where oxygen isn’t efficiently utilized), or even factors such as stress, anxiety, and air quality.

When you are stressed, your breathing becomes fast but shallow—less efficient at sending oxygen to your blood. As oxygen levels fall, your body instinctively breathes faster to compensate.

Mild symptoms of hypoxia include headache, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath, especially during exertion. Other signs include restlessness, a rapid heartbeat, or confusion.

The impact of hypoxia depends on its severity and duration.

• Acute hypoxia (e.g., during a heart attack or stroke) can cause rapid tissue damage.
• Chronic hypoxia (e.g., in COPD or kidney disease) leads to long-term cellular adaptation and dysfunction.

Common Symptoms of Hypoxia

• Shortness of breath – especially during physical activity or even at rest in severe cases
• Rapid breathing (tachypnoea) – as the body tries to compensate for low oxygen
• Increased heart rate (tachycardia) – to circulate oxygen more quickly
• Fatigue or weakness – due to reduced oxygen supply to muscles and organs
• Dizziness or lightheadedness – often a sign of cerebral hypoxia
• Confusion, restlessness, or difficulty concentrating – as the brain is highly sensitive to oxygen deprivation
• Bluish skin, lips, or fingertips (cyanosis) – a visible sign of low blood oxygen
• Headache – common in altitude-related or chronic hypoxia
• Chest discomfort or tightness – from cardiac strain
• Tingling or numbness in extremities – linked to poor oxygenation and circulation
• Sleep disturbances – often seen in chronic respiratory conditions
• Loss of consciousness or seizures – in severe or prolonged hypoxia

Oxygen Boost for the Brain: The Power of Ginkgo Biloba

The brain is especially sensitive to oxygen deprivation. Even a brief shortage can cause confusion, memory loss, and poor concentration. Prolonged hypoxia can damage the heart, kidneys, and other vital organs.

Nature, however, offers support. Ginkgo biloba, an herbal extract from the ancient Ginkgo tree, has long been prized for its medicinal value. Emerging research highlights its potential to combat hypoxia by improving circulation, supporting brain function, and enhancing cellular resilience.

Why is blood circulation important?

Blood, a key part of the body's transport system, also known as the circulatory or cardiovascular system, is essential for most bodily functions. It delivers oxygen, hormones, and nutrients to various organs and removes waste substances from the body. Good blood circulation supports life in humans and animals, helps prevent diseases, and maintains overall health. 

How Ginkgo Biloba Supports the Brain in Low Oxygen

Ginkgo biloba promotes vasodilation and improves microcirculation, thereby enhancing oxygen delivery throughout the body. This is especially beneficial in stagnant hypoxia, where tissues receive inadequate oxygen due to poor blood flow—despite normal oxygen levels in the blood.

By expanding blood vessels, increasing nitric oxide availability, and reducing platelet aggregation, Ginkgo helps maintain vascular flexibility and efficient oxygen distribution even under suboptimal conditions.

A pilot study by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that daily supplementation with 120 mg of Ginkgo biloba increased cerebral blood flow in elderly participants.

Several Animal studies have shown Ginkgo’s ability to protect against hypoxia-induced memory loss, oxidative stress, and neuronal DNA damage through its antioxidant mechanisms.

A 2021 study in Frontiers in Pharmacology reported that Ginkgo biloba improves oxygen utilization, reduces oxidative damage in brain cells, and decreases neuronal death. It activates protective pathways that preserve memory and cognitive performance under oxygen deprivation.

In a randomized controlled trial by Demarin et al. (2017) involving 90 patients with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI)—a condition linked to chronic cerebral hypoperfusion—Ginkgo biloba (60 mg and 120 mg) significantly improved cognitive and clinical scores over six months, indicating enhanced brain function despite limited oxygen delivery.

Other research suggests that Ginkgo enhances the body’s tolerance and resilience under low-oxygen conditions, even protecting against bowel injury. Regular supplementation may help the brain “precondition” itself, creating a buffer against future oxygen-related stress.

For seniors at risk of age-related hypoxia, Ginkgo biloba offers a natural way to support sharper memory and mental clarity.

Ginkgo Biloba and Altitude Sickness

Interestingly, Ginkgo biloba has also been studied for its role in preventing altitude sickness, a condition triggered by reduced oxygen pressure at high elevations that causes headache, fatigue, and mental fog.

What Is Altitude Sickness?

Altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness (AMS), occurs when the body fails to adapt quickly enough to low oxygen levels at high elevations. As altitude increases, air pressure drops and less oxygen becomes available. In response, breathing and heart rate rise to maintain oxygen supply.

AMS typically develops within a few hours of ascending above 8,000 feet (≈2,440 metres)—for example, during climbs at Mount Kinabalu (Malaysia), Ghorepani Poon Hill (Nepal), or while travelling in Tibet.

From Lowlands to Highlands: Ginkgo Biloba Keeps You Oxygen-Ready

Studies show that 25%–43% of people ascending to altitudes between 2,500–4,300 metres experience AMS symptoms, and the risk increases sharply above 6,000 metres, affecting over 60% of climbers who ascend rapidly without acclimatization.

By improving oxygen utilization and blood flow, Ginkgo biloba may help the body adapt more efficiently to low-oxygen environments—whether in the mountains or in urban settings with poor air quality.

For those living at high altitudes, recovering from illness, or simply seeking to maintain cognitive clarity with age, Ginkgo biloba provides a gentle, natural complement to medical or oxygen-based therapies by strengthening circulatory and neurological defenses.

Hypoxia in Our Neighbouring Country, Malaysia: A Growing Concern

A study published in the Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences (2020) reported that over 25% of Malaysians aged 60 and above experience cognitive decline associated with reduced oxygen supply to the brain.

Additionally, research by the Department of Environment Malaysia indicates that urban air pollution contributes to lower oxygen availability—affecting not only seniors but also professionals in high-stress work environments. These findings highlight the growing importance of accessible strategies to combat hypoxia.

What Can We Do When Experiencing Hypoxia Symptoms?

To naturally enhance oxygen use and comfort:

• Optimize body position: Sit upright or lean forward (tripod position) to expand the lungs.
• Practice deep breathing: Slow nasal inhalations with pursed-lip exhalations help improve oxygen exchange.
• Clear the airways: Use controlled coughing to expel mucus.
• Improve your environment: Keep spaces well-ventilated and minimize pollutants.
• Stay hydrated: Adequate fluids help thin mucus and ease breathing.
• Manage stress: Calm reassurance and relaxation help regulate breathing and improve oxygen efficiency.

Ginkgo Biloba: Natural Protection Against Low Oxygen Stress

Oxygen is vital for every cell in the body, and when its supply drops—a condition known as hypoxia—it can lead to fatigue, confusion, and long-term organ damage. Factors such as ageing, poor circulation, stress, or high altitude can reduce oxygen availability. Ginkgo biloba, a natural herbal extract, has been shown to enhance blood flow, improve oxygen utilization, and protect brain cells from oxidative stress.

Studies suggest that Ginkgo supports cognitive function under low-oxygen conditions and may help prevent altitude sickness by promoting better adaptation to reduced oxygen pressure. With increasing risks of hypoxia from ageing, pollution, and stress—especially among urban and elderly populations—Ginkgo biloba offers a gentle, natural way to strengthen the body’s resilience, mental clarity, and overall oxygen health.

References

Abdel-Wahab BA., & Abd El-Aziz SM. (2012). Ginkgo biloba protects against intermittent hypoxia-induced memory deficits and hippocampal DNA damage in rats. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 19(5), 444–450.

Chen PS., Chiu WT., Hsu PL, Lin SC, Peng IC, Wang CY, & Tsai SJ. (2020). Pathophysiological implications of hypoxia in human diseases. J Biomed Sci. 27, 63.

Chen GF, Xu J, Yang Q, Jian BY, Yu XL, Li J, Zhang HL, Zhang T, Pu JY, Luo LM, Ye YX, Liao L, He LH, Wei X, Yang QH, Jiang J & Li HT. (2025). Effects of extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves on pellet quality, hypoxia tolerance and infection of Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) with Aeromonas hydrophila. Aquaculture and Fisheries.

Cui M, You T, Zhao Y, Liu R, Guan Y, Liu J, Liu X, Wang X & Dong Q. (2023). Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761^® improves cognition and overall condition after ischemic stroke: Results from a pilot randomized trial. Front Pharmacol. 14:1147860.

Della Rocca, Y., Fonticoli, L., Rajan, T.S., Trubiani O, Caputi S, Diomede F, Pizzicannella J & Diletta Marconi G. (2022). Hypoxia: molecular pathophysiological mechanisms in human diseases. J Physiol Biochem. 78, 739–752.

Demarin V, Bašić Kes V, Trkanjec Z, Budišić M, Bošnjak Pašić M, Črnac P & Budinčević H. (2017). Efficacy and safety of Ginkgo biloba standardized extract in the treatment of vascular cognitive impairment: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 13:483-490.

Kushwah N, Jain V, Kadam M, Kumar R, Dheer A, Prasad D, Kumar B, Khan N. (2021). Ginkgo biloba L. Prevents Hypobaric Hypoxia–Induced Spatial Memory Deficit Through Small Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel Inhibition: The Role of ERK/CaMKII/CREB Signaling. Frontiers in Pharmacology. Vol.12.

Mashayekh A., Pham DL., Yousem DM., Dizon M., Barker PB., & Lin DD. (2011). Effects of Ginkgo biloba on cerebral blood flow assessed by quantitative MR perfusion imaging: a pilot study. Neuroradiology, 53(3), 185–191.

McGowan J, Thurman J & Huecker MR. Acute Mountain Sickness. [Updated 2025 Sep 15]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-.

Özdemir, Özmert M.A., Ergin H, Yenisey C & Turk NS. (2011). Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract in rats with hypoxia/reoxygenation–induced intestinal injury. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 46 (4): 685 – 690.

Sun X, Peng L, Xiao W, Li K & Chen S (2025). Efficacy of ginkgo biloba extract in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front. Pharmacol. 16:1524505.

Wever N. (2024). Understanding hypoxia and its effects on the body. Int J Respir Med. 9(3):210.