EXERCISE 1
Read the following passage carefully. Based on the information given in the passage, write, in about
100 words, on how we can benefit from taking ginkgo.
Ginkgo in undoubtedly good; so good that its use had been documented as early as 2800 BC in the
Chinese medical text, the Pen T’sau Ching! The tree is reported to be the oldest tree on earth, more
than 200 million years old. Individual trees can live to over one thousand years. Indeed, it has been
rightfully referred to as a living fossil! It is very hardy, and not only can it withstand the test of time,
having survived the last ice age in China, it has also shown remarkable resistance to pollution,
insects, fungi and diseases. After the atomic blast in Hiroshima, a seed of the ginkgo tree survived
and later sprouted. The tree today still stands near the epicenter of the blast
Now that we know how resilient the ginkgo is. Let’s explore how it can be of benefit to us and how it
can help our internal environment.
Ginkgo leaf extracts contain many substances with over 250 different compounds identified. The
more established groups of compounds are the flavonoids and the terpene lactones. Flavonoids are
common in plants and produce a wide range of biochemicals that include free radical scavengers,
antioxidants, enzyme inducers and enzyme inhibitors. They are also known to make vitamin C more
effective, increase the strength of capillary walls and to improve micro blood circulation. The terpene
lactones, namely the ginkgolides and the bilobalides, are unique to the ginkgo tree and some of these
have so far been impossible to synthesise in the laboratory. These possess biochemical actions that
include anti-aggregatory blood platelet activity and reduction in the blood viscosity.
Ginkgo biloba has been shown to be able to improve both the tone and elasticity of our blood
vessels, thereby improving blood flow. Unlike vessel dilating drugs, ginkgo has the unique ability to
simultaneously reduce vessel spasms in one area and restore the tone in another. This is extremely
beneficial and is lacking in vessel dilating drugs, which sometimes worsen a condition by relaxing the
healthy vessels.
In addition, ginkgo has effects on all parts of the circulatory system, that is, it acts on the arteries
and the veins as well as the capillaries. This enables ginkgo to harmonise the total functions of the
whole blood circulation system.
As mentioned before, good blood circulation will mean the efficient delivery of oxygen and
nutrients to our cells and the efficient removal of waste products, thus providing our cells, tissues and
organs a healthy environment to ‘live’ in and to function optimally. And if these are healthy, we, being
the sum total of the various organs systems, will be healthy too. Perhaps this will give a new depth to
the saying that it is the little things in life that count!
Besides having a direct effect on our blood vessels, ginkgo biloba can also ‘thin’ our blood to
improve circulation. They do this by inhibiting a blood-clotting factor so that there will be less sticking of
the blood cells together and with less ‘grouping’ of the cells, the blood will not be so viscous. Thus, our
blood will flow easier, which will result in better circulation in our body. Also with less clotting, there will
be less narrowing or blocking of our fine blood vessels, in particular, the capillaries. Because the
blood-clotting factor is involved in many inflammation and allergic processes including narrowing of the
air passages, the use of ginkgo may have a role in suppressing inflammations, allergies and asthma.
Most of us will, by now, be aware of the benefit ginkgo has on our blood and its circulation but it
does not stop here. Ginkgo goes way, way beyond this in being a health supplement for our internal
environment. Of particular interest to all the vain pots out there is the fact that ginkgo has ‘anti-aging’
properties.
Adapted from: The Sunday Star, 3 February 2002
ANSWER :
Gingko improves both the tone and elasticity of our blood vessels, thus improving blood
flow. It simultaneously tightens and relaxes blood vessels unlike vessel ilating drugs that
only relax the vessels. Gingko also balances all the functions of the blood circulatory
system so that the blood flows smoothly. This ensures the efficient delivery of oxygen and
nutrients to our cells and efficient removal of waste products. Moreover, gingko thins our
blood by inhibiting a blood-clotting factor which in turn leads to less narrowing or blocking
of blood vessels. This may suppress inflammations, allergies and asthma. Lastly, gingko
also has anti-aging properties.