This is one of the key questions when choosing supplements with plant ingredients. A standardised dry extract differs from simple ground raw material in that it ensures a predictable content of active substances in every capsule.
Ginkgo biloba leaves contain two main classes of compounds for which this ingredient is valued:
- Flavonoids — natural polyphenolic compounds studied in the context of cellular processes and microcirculation.
- Terpene compounds (in particular ginkgolides and bilobalide) — components specific to ginkgo that are of primary research interest.
In ordinary plant powder, the concentration of these substances varies from batch to batch depending on how the raw material was grown, harvested and stored. Standardisation allows the manufacturer to control exactly how much of the key compounds goes into each capsule, which makes taking it more predictable.
That is why most clinical studies of ginkgo have used a standardised extract rather than raw material in an arbitrary form. When choosing a ginkgo supplement, check whether standardisation is stated on the pack.