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Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) are the two most recognized ginseng botanicals.Although American ginseng is not as extensively studied as Asian ginseng, it is one of the best-selling herbs in the U.S., and has garnered increasing attention from scientists in recent years.It is believed that the ginseng saponins called ginsenosides are the major active constituents in both Asian and American ginseng.In addition to ginsenosides, ginseng contains complex constituents.Thus,multidisciplinarymethods are required to validate the analytical methodsthat support ginsengs use worldwide.In the past decade, advanced technologies for isolation and analysis of plants haverevolutionized ginseng research.The literature describes investigationof ginseng with pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, biosynthesis, and pharmacology.Recent advances in the isolation and analysis of ginseng will be discussed to highlight their new applications, especially in species authentication, quality assessment, and interaction with biological systems.Subsequently, the pharmacological effects of the ginseng will be reviewed, including the effects on the cardiovascular system, immune system, and central nervous system as well as the anti-diabetes and anti-cancer effects.Emphasis will be placed on the discussion of our ginseng research data on colorectal cancer chemoprevention, supported by an ongoing ginseng center grant from NIH/NCCAM.In addition, chemical modifications are a suitable way to establish a library of new compounds from ginseng saponins, and this approach could provide an opportunity to develop novel compounds in drug discovery.