An exchange of correspondence in the British medical journal Lancet explored potentially harmful effects of the popular herb, ginkgo biloba. On July 4, l998's issue, Dr. Salvadore Vale reported on a case of brain hemorrhage caused by the ginkgo biloba. Then on October 3rd, Dr. Marcus Skogh replied in a letter to Lancet that he didn't think that ginkgo biloba was the perpetrator, since the common preparations sold contained at most 6% active ingredient of the purportedly offending substance.

Dr. Vale answered that Skogh that numerous published reports in medical journals have indicated that hemorrhages of other types were also allegedly caused by ginkgo biloba, including "spontaneous bleeding from the iris (into the eye.)"

What to make of all this? One could say that some danger exists, although serious effects are rare--or that there is nothing to worry about since there isn't enough of the active ingredient (ginkgolide) to cause harm. If this is the case, why take it at all?

Oh, yes, it has been helpful in various ways to some people. A placebo effect?