The present study was undertaken to investigate an effect of ginseng butanol fraction(total saponin) on the hepatic ethanol metabolism, we used experimental animals for the subject of study. When, in case of ADH and MEOS, ginseng butanol fraction was added, enzyme activity was increased in a small dose, and on the contrary, in a large dose, showed inhibitory effect. in catalase, the activity showed no significant effect by adding ginseng butanol fraction. In the light of kinetic aspect, when, in reaction mixture, ethanol and ginseng butanol fraction were concurrently added and reacted, Km value of ADH and MEOS was decreased. After pretreated with ginseng butanol fraction and inducement of acute toxic state by ethanol, the activities of ADH and MEOS were increased to an extent of about 25% compared to controls. But catalase activity was not significantly affected. In case that ginseng butanol fraction was given to mice fed with 5% ethanol instead of water for 60 days, the activities of ADH and MEOS were increased about 20% to 50% compared to ethanol-treated group. On the contrary, catalase activity was not affected. But blood concentrations of ethanol were decreased due to ginseng butanol fraction treatment. All these observations suggested that reduction of ethanol blood concentration should be dependent upon increased activities of ADH and MEOS. Thereby it suggests the recovery from alcohol intoxication can be prompted by treatment with ginseng.