The effect of ginseng butanol fraction (total sponin) on the absorption rate of ethanol in rat intestine was examined. Ginseng butanol fraction showed inhibitory effect on the intestinal absorption of ethanol in situ as well as in vitro test. Ginseng butanol fraction markedly decreased the ethanol blood level, delayed onset time of ethanol effect and shortened sleeping time when it was adminstered orally together with ethanol. These results suggest that ginseng may alter the ethanol blood level by decreasing the intestinal absorption of ethanol.