Panax ginseng - A universal panacea in the herbal medicine with diverse pharmacological spectrum -A review

The use of medicinal plant either as a single drug or in combinatin is increasing in the health care of human being. Medicinal plants can be important source of previously unknown chemical substances with potential therapeutic effect. The herbal remedies referred to as "ginseng" are derived from the roots of several plants.One of the most commonly used and researched of the ginseng is Panax ginseng, also called Asian or Korean ginseng. The main active components of Panax ginseng are ginsenosides,which have been shown to have a variety of beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory,antioxidant, and anticancer effects.Panax ginseng also improve psychologic function, immune function, and conditions associated with diabetes. This review gives a bird's eye view mainly on the pharmacognostic characteristics, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological actions of the plant.