ABSTRACT
In the course of chemical studies on ginseng, chemists have attempted to isolate and identify ginseng's active principles, and thus verify the usefulness of ginseng. Ginseng roots contain a substantial amount of ginseng saponins; accordingly, the saponins contribute most, if not all, of the important pharmacologic activities of ginseng extract. Saponins have particular chemical properties, and the most notable characteristics are as follows: they form colloidal solutions in water that foam upon shaking; they have a bitter taste; they have sternutatory and irritative properties on mucous membranes; and they have hemolytic action against red blood cells. Chemical reactions during the processing of ginseng, such as oxidation, hydrolysis, and/or dehydration, lead to the formation of artifactual compounds, which often have enhanced biological activities. The chemical composition of the steamed American ginseng is quite different from the untreated ginseng.
