In 24 men and 12 women recovery of heart rate after strenuous exercise was observed before and after administration of total ginseng glycosides. In men 100 mg of ginseng glycosides were given twice with a 3 hour interval on the day of treadmill test and in women two more administrations of ginseng glycosides were added on the day before the exercise test. The action of ginseng glycosides was interpreted as an adaptogen, i.e., to enhance the recovery to the physiological equilibrium from the displace4 state. Recovery of heart rate to the pre-exercise state was observed for 20 minutes after strenuous exercise of 2 minutes duration on a treadmill (8 km/hr, 15% grade). In men the recovery of heart rate was enhanced(P<.2 ~ .4) after ginseng glycosides administration. In women the acceleration of recovery heart rate was highly significant (P<.01 ~ .05) after ginseng glycosides administration. In men and women recovery heart rate at 3 minute of recovery period after ginseng glycosides equaled to the value at 6 minute of recovery period before ginseng administration.