• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.158-164
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• 2006

The American ginseng is getting popular in the world market with cooling effects. This paper study history of the cooling effect of American ginseng. Most references include one's assertion on the cooling effect of American ginseng based on the old chinese believe. However, American ginseng was discovered in 1716 and export to China from mid 18 century. Concerning on the time period for clinical demonstration to get people's believe, it is not sufficient to conform the cooling effects of American ginseng. That is why the American ginseng was sold as an inferior goods compare oriental ginseng until mid 1970s. United State FDA also does not certify any effectiveness of Ginseng yet. However, it is important to study on the American ginseng because of rapid growth in the world ginseng market.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.160-167
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• 2010

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) are the two most recognized ginseng botanicals. It is believed that the ginseng saponins called ginsenosides are the major active constituents in both ginsengs. Although American ginseng is not as extensively studied as Asian ginseng, it is one of the best selling herbs in the US, and has garnered increasing attention from scientists in recent years. In this article, after a brief introduction of the distribution and cultivation of American ginseng, we discuss chemical analysis of saponins from these two ginsengs, i.e., their similarities and differences. Subsequently, we review pharmacological effects of the saponins, including the effects on the cardiovascular system, immune system, and central nervous system as well as the anti-diabetes and anti-cancer effects. These investigations were mainly derived from American ginseng studies. We also discuss evidence suggesting that chemical modifications of ginseng saponins would be a valuable approach to develop novel compounds in drug discovery.