Can You Take Ginkgo Biloba and St. John's Wort Together?

Use extra care with this pair

The short answer

St. John's Wort increases serotonin availability, while Ginkgo Biloba has mild MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitory properties. This combination may lead to excessive serotonin accumulation and increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

How to arrange timing

Use caution when combining St. John's Wort with Ginkgo Biloba. Consider using only one at a time, or consult a healthcare provider before combining.

Reference

Reference noted for this combination: Isbister GK, Buckley NA, Whyte IM. Serotonin toxicity: a practical approach to diagnosis and treatment. Med J Aust. 2007;187(6):361-365.

Important context

Whether supplements suit you together also depends on dose, product formulation, health conditions, and medication use. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a chronic condition.