The liver is the largest organ weighing at 1.5kg. In the liver, various intermediary metabolisms occur and it provides the other organs with direct usable energy sources transformed from nutritional substances absorbed from the intestinal tract. Excess energy is stored in the form hepatic glycogen which is available as an energy source when energy requirement is great. The liver is the site of active lipid metabolism and plays an essential role in the digesting and absorption of fat from food substances in the small intestine in which colic acids, synthesized in the liver are secreted.

Studies have indicated that ginseng is believed to exert defensive action against many hepatotoxic drugs and agents by the way of increased metabolic enzymes. In addition, ginseng produces a considerable effect on hepatic regeneration and functional recovery of injured livers.

Dr. Koo observed that a commonly used hepatitis remedy supplemented with ginseng promoted the treatment of acute viral hepatitis.

Prof. Brekhman administered Korean ginseng to 44 patients who had showed refractory impotence to all medication for two to five years and observed complete recoveries of 21 patients and considerable improvements of 11 patients. Dr. Popov and his co-workers administered ginseng to 27 impotent patients, of whom 15 completely recovered and 9 showed considerable improvement.

Impotence and decreased libido are extremely frequent in diabetic patients. Dr. Kakiwoochi reported that ginseng was shown to be effective in the management of the above complications in diabetic patients, and made considerable improvement in 80% of impotent patients and 60% of decreased-libido patients.

Ginseng anti-aging effects were studied by Dr. Zhuo and he demonstrated that ginseng retards cell degeneration, promoted cellular proliferation, improves general health problems related to aging, and thus delays the aging process. His conclusions are that ginseng exerts beneficial effects on the immune system by increasing resistance to the degenerative system and by stimulating metabolic process and cell proliferation.

A simple understanding of the classification of herbs in the Chinese traditional medicine would explain the position of ginseng in terms of toxicity. Ginseng belongs to the 1st class of herbs that exhibit mild reactions and this Kingly category means that it can be taken by healthy as well as those who are sick to aid recovery and smooth the side-effects of specific drugs. The long history of ginseng and the prescription of ginseng together with other herbs to help normalize the harsh effects of these herbs, should assure all those concerned of over-dosage and toxicity.

Dr. Soldati made the following report on the toxicity of ginseng:

- Neither teratogenic action, nor adverse effects on fertility, nor carcinogenic effects were observed.

- No harmful effects on sex hormones or on the cardiovascular system were observed. These results indicate that Panax ginseng may be used with no harmful effect even in long term administration.

Clinical studies made by Dr. Chang and his associates indicated that ginseng help in the post-operational recovery in 120 gynecological ly-laparotomized patients. The extent of the elevation of the serum cholesterol level was significantly lower in patients receiving ginseng, and the total serum protein level was higher in the ginseng treated group than in control.

Dr. C. K. Rim and his co-workers showed that ginseng saponin was absorbed into hair 3 times more efficiently than collagen hydrolysate and thus increased its tensile strength and elongation.