Panax Ginseng has been commonly used in indigenous medicine in the Far East for over 5,000 years. Its man-like appearance ensured that it was quickly accepted as a tonic maintaining the body in good health, inducing rejuvenation and retarding ageing. The vast output of modern research suggests uses for this ancient drug in today's medicine. This

This book represents the first comprehensive compilation of information on all aspects of the medicinal plant Panax ginseng, ranging from its botany to applied aspects in medicine and molecular breeding. In contributions by respected experts, it also discusses the genetic background and biochemical profile of this important medicinal plant. Ginsenoside biosynthesis and metabolic dynamics are also described in detail. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable guide for students, educators and scientists in academia and industry interested in medicinal plants and pharmacy.

Bioactive Polysaccharides offers a comprehensive review of the structures and bioactivities of bioactive polysaccharides isolated from traditional herbs, fungi, and seaweeds. It describes and discusses specific topics based on the authors' rich experience, including extraction technologies, practical techniques required for purification and fractionation, strategies and skills for elucidating the fine structures, in-vitro and in-vivo protocols, and methodologies for evaluating the specific bioactivities, including immune-modulating activities, anti-cancer activities, anti-oxidant activities, and others. This unique book also discusses partial structure-functionality (bioactivities) relationships based on conformational studies. This comprehensive work can be used as a handbook to explore potential applications in foods, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceutical areas for commercial interests. - Serves as a comprehensive review on extraction technologies, and as a practical guide for the purification and fractionation of bioactive polysaccharides - Brings step-by-step strategies for elucidating the fine structures and molecular characterizations of bioactive polysaccharides - Includes detailed experimental design and methodologies for investigation bioactivities using both in-vitro and in-vivo protocols - Clarifies how to extract, purify, and fractionate bioactive polysaccharides, also exploring health benefits - Useful as a guide to explore the commercial potentials of bioactive polysaccharides as pharmaceuticals, medicine, and functional foods

Choosing the herbs or herbal products that are suitable and safe for use is essential for any consumer. This is especially true when it comes to Ginseng, one of the most commonly used and highly regarded herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This book consolidates knowledge from official pharmacopoeias, latest scientific research and on-the-ground survey of Singapore's local market conducted by the authors. From exploring the medicinal benefits and safety concerns of the herbs, to inspecting the labels of the various products available on our local market, this book is an invaluable resource for any discerning consumer interested in finding out more, buying or using ginseng and ginseng products. This is an easy-to-read guide to the various herbs and products related to "Ginseng." It introduces the reader to the traditional uses and latest scientific research regarding Chinese/Korean ginseng, Notoginseng, American ginseng, Siberian ginseng and five-leaf ginseng (Jiao Gu Lan), including their names, pharmacological activities, phytoconstituents, indications, dosage, safety considerations (e.g. side effects and herb-drug interactions). Our team has delved into the local market and surveyed over three hundred ginseng and ginseng products. Glossary of terms, explanations of Traditional Chinese Medicine terminologies, pharmacological activities, drug-herb interactions and a list of major chemical components from five herbs and their respective pharmacological activities, and products information are presented clearly in the Appendices.

Health and medical uses of ginseng is broad due to its adaptogenic properties, it is an effective tonic. Ginseng can be used to improve mental and physical performance, reduce stress, and increase longevity. This book covers the properties and uses of four varieties of ginseng in the world with focus on American and Asian types of ginseng. This books discusses healing properties of ginseng, growing ginseng plants, chemical, nutritional, medical and pharmacological properties, detoxification, longevity and proper usage of the root.

Traditional Chinese medicine has been used for thousands of years by a large population. It is currently still serving many of the health needs of the Chinese people; and still enjoying their confi dence it is practised in China in parallel with modern Western medical treatment. In addition to scientific organisations dedi cated to modern Western medicine, e. g. the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and various medical schools, a series of parallel institutions have been established in China to promote traditional Chinese medicine, such as the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine and training institutions. Almost all hospitals in China have a department of traditional medicine. Furthermore, a large number of scientific journals are dedicated to traditional Chinese medicine, covering both experimental and clinical investigations. Medicinal materials constitute a key topic in the treatment of disease according to traditional Chinese medicine. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia (1985 edition) is therefore divided into two sepa rate volumes, Volume I containing traditional Chinese medicinal materials and preparations and Volume II containing pharmaceu tics of Western medicine. The oldest Chinese review of medicinal materials, Shennong Bencao Jing (100-200 A. D. ), covered 365 herbal drugs. The clas sic compilation in this field, Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), was published in 1578 by Li Shi-zhen and recorded as many as 1898 crude drugs of plant, animal and min eral origin.

This volume provides reviews and details of the quality, safety and efficacy for some of the top-selling botanicals worldwide, including black cohosh, chamomile, comfrey, echinacea, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, kava, milk thistle, St John's wort and valerian. The work was written based on a systematic review of the scientific literature from 1975-2000.;Each review includes a brief introduction, a section on quality including a definition of the crude drug, geographical distribution, and a listing of the major chemical constituents. The safety and efficacy sections summarize the medical uses, pharmacology, contraindications, warnings, precautions, adverse reactions, dose and dosage forms. The safety and efficacy sections were written for a busy health-care professional, and should enable one to ascertain which clinical uses are supported by clinical data, without having to read through all the pharmacology. Each chapter is fully referenced, enabling the reader to access further information when necessary.