Preface

Plants have always been the major source of medicinal bioactive substances. Traditional medicine encompasses the use of plants to cure, diagnose, and prevent disease, as well as to preserve health. As seen by the success of antimalaria artemisinin, traditional medicines are a key source of inspiration for so-called modern medicine, which can contribute to the (re)discovery of new treatments. Artemisinin is not an isolated incidence; several lead bioactive compounds have been discovered in plants used in traditional Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Thai, Korean, African, American, and European medicines. Among these plants, ginseng is the most well-known Chinese medicine and one of the most used herbal medicines, with a wide variety of medicinal and pharmacological applications. *Panax ginseng* C. A. Meyer has been used as a top-grade herb in traditional Chinese medicine or the king of tonic herbs for more than 2,000 years in eastern cultures; the genus name *Panax* means "all-curing" in Greek. Enhancing immunological function, boosting circulation and vascular function, preventing neurological illnesses, modulating metabolism, and promoting vitality and health are only some of the advantages of ginseng preparations. Ginsenosides, commonly known as ginseng saponins or triterpene saponins, are the most important bioactive elements of ginseng. Ginsenosides are exclusively found in ginseng species, and while there are more than 1,000 identified ginsenosides, only a limited number have been tested for biological activity. This book provides an up-to-date critical view of the botanical description and complexity of ginseng, including its phytochemistry, traditional and biotechnological production systems, traditional usage, current applications, and future directions for the development of ginseng compounds as effective medicinal agents. It is a useful resource for academicians, scientists, students, and industry professionals interested in traditional medicine and ginseng.

### **Dr. Christophe Hano**

Department of Biochemistry, University of Orleans, Orleans, France

#### **Dr. Jen-Tsung Chen**

Department of Life Sciences, National University of Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Section 1 Introduction
