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Ginseng: a miracle sources of herbal and pharmacological uses

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Abstract

This review paper was considered to find out the relationship, how to bring together traditional uses and modern pharmacological uses and provide a foundation for a more rigorous systemic investigation of ginseng. Ginseng is well-known worldwide as a medicinal plant. Its traditional and modern medicinal applications have been well documented. This medicinal plant is of great value to the people of Korea, China, and Japan and has been used for many purposes. Though all the parts of these plants have medicinal value, the roots are used most extensively in traditional medicine, especially for its curative and restorative properties. Ginseng is used to treat a variety of illnesses in traditional medicine. It is most effective for impotence, insomnia, anorexia, hypodynamia, diabetes, palpitation, shortness of breath, and hemorrhage. From a modern medical point of view, ginseng possesses a variety of constituents, including ginsenosides, polysaccharides, peptides, and polyacetylenic alcohols that have been used effectively for the central nervous system,neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects. In particular, ginsenosides as an active ingredient have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and immunostimulant properties. The understanding of ginseng efficacy from Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can provide insights for modern chemical and pharmacological research. Such research will help clarify the pharmacodynamics and mechanisms of action of ginseng.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Life Sciences and Bio-Resource and Environmental Center, Incheon National University, Incheon, 406-772, South Korea

    Jae Kwang Kim

  2. Department of Agribusiness and Marketing, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, -2202, Bangladesh

    Nazia Tabassum

  3. Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, -2202, Bangladesh

    Md. Romij Uddin

  4. Department of Crop Science, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-764, South Korea

    Sang Un Park

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  1. Jae Kwang Kim
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  2. Nazia Tabassum
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Kim, J.K., Tabassum, N., Uddin, M.R. et al. Ginseng: a miracle sources of herbal and pharmacological uses. Orient Pharm Exp Med 16, 243–250 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596-016-0246-6

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