Ginkgo biloba, popularly advocated to stimulate cognitive functioning, may initiate epileptiform convulsions when taken in large amounts by children, and can upset the balance of the coagulation mechanism, possibly interacting with
anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. McIntyre61 cites a 2000 study in which it was claimed that the use of gingko biloba during pregnancy may cause fetal harm due to the accumulation of colchicine in the placenta, although the American
Botanical Council later found the research methodology to be flawed, but a further report71 also raised concern about the placental presence of this substance.