How does a standardised 4:1 ginkgo biloba extract differ from ordinary leaf powder?

Ginkgo Total contains a standardised 4:1 ginkgo biloba extract. This means that four parts of plant material are used to obtain one part of extract — in other words, the extract is more concentrated than the original leaf. But what matters most is not the ratio itself but the standardisation: the manufacturer controls the content of two groups of active compounds.

• Ginkgo flavone glycosides — flavonoid compounds credited with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help cells withstand the oxidative stress that arises with a heavy mental workload, lack of sleep and chronic stress.
• Terpene lactones (including ginkgolides and bilobalide) — compounds associated with supporting normal microcirculation, that is, the flow of blood through the small vessels.

In non-standardised leaf powder, the concentration of these substances depends on the harvest season, the region and the storage conditions, and can differ considerably from batch to batch. A standardised extract gives a more predictable and reproducible composition in every tablet.

This is why, in European practice, ginkgo supplements are most often made in standardised form — it makes it possible to maintain the declared composition throughout the entire course.