ABSTRACT
Performance .......................................................................................................... 529 17.8.2 Improving Blood Circulation and Lowering Blood Pressure ............................... 530 17.8.3 Anticarcinogenic and Cancer-Preventive Effects ................................................. 530 17.8.4 Preventing and Treating Diabetes ......................................................................... 530 17.8.5 Alcohol Detoxi’cation (Hangover Reduction) Effects ......................................... 530 17.8.6 Improving Sexual Performance ............................................................................ 531 17.8.7 Antifatigue and Antistress .................................................................................... 531 17.8.8 Antiaging Ef’cacy ................................................................................................ 531 17.8.9 Ef’cacy of Enhancing Immune Function ............................................................. 531 17.8.10 Anti-AIDS (Acquired Immune De’ciency Syndrome) or Antiviral Action ......... 532 17.8.11 Obesity and Hyperlipidemia ................................................................................. 532 17.8.12 Detoxifying Drug Addiction ................................................................................. 532
17.9 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................... 532 References ...................................................................................................................................... 533
17.1 INTRODUCTION
Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer; Figure 17.1) has traditionally been considered a medicinal plant of mysterious powers and has several thousand years of history among Asian people. Especially in Korea, China, and Japan, ginseng has been recognized as the most prized medicine plant among all the herbal medicines. Therefore, Asian people have traditionally used ginseng roots and extracts to revitalize the body and mind, increase physical strength, slow the aging process, and increase vigor. From the pharmacological studies of animals and human beings for more than 40 years, the ef’cacy of ginseng, especially tonic effects, has been gaining popularity even in the Western countries. The term “tonic” refers to a drug that is meant to maintain normal physical tone or to restore a diseased state to normal.
