TNF and cancer: The two essential oils showed significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor activities in a dose-dependent manner, and their biological activities probably resulted from the synergistic action of the different constituents, especially the main components, including phytol, spathulenol, neophytadiene, phytone, panaxynol and β-bisabolene etc. The essential oil of the root was more effective inhibitor for the release of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 than that of the aerial part, presented more potent cytotoxic activity against HCT-8 cancer cell line.