Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum), is a plant that grows wild in China, as well as many other countries throughout Asia. In China, it has been used for many years as a medicinal and energizing tea in the local regions where it grows. Jiaogulan is sometimes called "Southern Ginseng", since it grows in south central China and because of its similarity to ginseng in chemical composition and function. It is also praised as Xiancao, "Immortality" Herb, because it grows wild and has many health-giving qualities and anti-aging effects.

Scientific research studies in China have shown that jiaogulan decreases cholesterol by improving the liver's ability to send sugar and carbohydrates to the muscles for conversion to energy instead of turning the sugar into triglycerides which the body stores as fat. ³ It lowers LDL's (bad cholesterol) while raising HDL's (good cholesterol). It improves fat metabolism, reduces blood fat levels and depresses lipid peroxide and fat sediment in the blood vessels. ⁴

While it is great for rectifying high cholesterol and obesity problems, it can also improve and strengthen the digestion, allowing an underweight person to increase absorption of nutrients and gain weight in the form of lean muscle mass. This regulatory effect on bodily functions is the hallmark of an adaptogen. ⁵

A study at Guiyang Medical College in China has shown that a jiaogulan recipe increased strength and endurance in the body. Considering the above statements overall, jiaogulan becomes the perfect herb for anyone who wants to improve their competitive edge in any field of athletic performance. ⁶

Adaptogenic functions of jiaogulan are demonstrated in its biphasic effects on brain functions, which energize or calm the system depending upon the body’s need. ⁷  Jiaogulan also aids the regulation of hormonal functions in both men and women. The healthy maintenance of these physiological actions plays a major role in the body's ability to cope with stress. ⁸   Jiaogulan has also shown its effectiveness, in clinical research studies, in helping the body resist depression of the immune system and other stress-related symptoms. It increases the production of Lymphocytes, Phagocytes and serum IgG, but not to an excess. ⁹

Jiaogulan has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities through its many saponins. ¹⁰ Jiaogulan also helps the body to resist depression of the immune system and other stress-related symptoms. ^{11, 12} Furthermore there are other clinical research studies, which indicate jiaogulan's ability to reduce tumor size. ^13,14  It can even lower high blood pressure. ¹⁵

In China jiaogulan is praised as the “Herb of Immortality,” due to its many health giving qualities and anti-aging effects....BACK

Footnotes

1. Song, W.M., et al. “Comparison of the adaptogenic effects of jiaogulan and ginseng.” Zhong Cao Yao. Chinese. 1992; 23(3):136.

2. Wei, Y., et al. “The effect of gypenosides to raise White Blood Count.” Zhong Cao Yao. Chinese. 1993; 24, 7, 382.

3. Kimura, Y., et al. “Effects of crude saponins of Gynostemma pentaphyllum on lipid metabolism.” Shoyakugaku Zasshi. Japanese. 1983 (Rec’d 1984); 37(3):272-275.

4. Yu, C. “Therapeutic effect of tablet gypenosides on 32 patients with hyperlipaemia.” Hu Bei Zhong Yi Za Zhi. Chinese. 1993; 15(3):21.

5. Zhou, S., et al. “Pharmacological study on the adaptogenic function of jiaogulan and jiaogulan compound.” Zhong Cao Yao. Chinese. 1990; 21(7):313.

6. Zhou, Ying-Na, et al. “Effects of a gypenosides-containing tonic on the pulmonary function in exercise workload.” Journal of Guiyang Medical College.1993; 8(4):261.

7. Zhang, Yi-Qun, et al. “Immediate effects of a gypenosides-containing tonic on the echocardiography of healthy persons of various ages.” Journal of Guiyang Medical College. 1993; 18(4):261.

8. Zhou, Ying-Na, et al. Influence of kiwifruit/jiaogulan recipe on the lung function and exercise endurance under exercise workload. Journal of Guiyang Medical College. 1993; 18(4):256.

9. Liu, Jialiu, et al. Overall health-strengthening effects of a gypenosides-containing tonic in middle aged and aged persons. Journal of Guiyang Medical College. 1993; (3):146.

10. Li, Lin, et al. Protective Effect of Gypenosides Against Oxidative Stress in Phagocytes, Vascular Endothelial Cells and Liver Microsomes. Loma Linda University, Calif. Cancer Biotherapy. 1993; 8(3):263-272.

11. Hou, J., et al. Effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino on the immunological function of cancer patients. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. (K9K). 1991; 11(1):47-52

12. Qian, Hao, et al. Protective effect of jiaogulan on cellular immunity of patients with primary long cancer treated with radiotherapy plus chemotherapy. Acta Academiae Medicinae Shanghai. 1995; 22(5):363-366.

13. Han, M.Q., et al. Effects of 24 Chinese medicinal herbs on nucleic acid, protein and cell cycle of human lung adenocarcinoma cell. Chung Kuo Chung His I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (BIF). Chinese. 1995 Mar; 15(3):147-9.

14. Wu, J.L., et al. Influence of gypenosides on thrombosis and synthesis of TXA2 and PGF1a. Zhong Yao Yao Li Yu Lin Chuang. Chinese. 1991; 7(2):39.

15. Lu, G.H., et al. Comparative study on anti-hypertensive effect of Gypenosides, Ginseng and Indapamide in patients with essential hypertension. Guizhou Medical Journal. Chinese. 1996; 20:1.

 

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China's 'Imortality Herb' super-charges your health. The effectiveness of ginseng for boosting the immune system and energizing the body is a fact.  There is a lesser - know Asia herb - one that many Chinese use to extend their lives to hundred years or more. Among those in China who take advantage of its healing powers, it's regarded as "like ginseng... But better". The herb is jiaogulan (JOW-goo-lawn). Its catalog of benefits are amazing--as is the amount of scientific research behind it. Treating everything from high blood pressure to bronchitis, this potent antioxidant has also show anti-cancer effects in lab studies. If the body needs rest, jiaogulan promotes rest. If the body needs to be energized, the herb does that as well.

Northern Thailand is known for its fertile soil. Jiaogulan plant is sensitive to chemical fertilizers so growers use compost or humus methods. It is a slow growing plant. Jiaogulan is NOT bothered by insects or plant diseases, so growers do not use pesticides of any kind. Jiaogulan likes fertile soil to grow so every harvest the farmers have to plant legumes and build up the soil again by using natural fertilizer.

After harvesting the Jiaogulan is washed and dehydrated in automated drying machine, the process is slow and at a low temperature to preserve the nutrients and beneficial effects of the tea. The sachets are packed in heavy-gauge lined foil protected from moisture as well as air.


LIVE LONGER AND BETTER WITH JIAOGULAN

An herb that adapts to your body's needs
From the mountains of southern China, jiaogulan was first recognized a medicinal herb in the 16 century. Since then, the evidence has mounted for its ability to heal and regulate the body's functions. Jiaogulan is a powerful adaptogen---an herb that helps the body adapt and deal efficiently with the various stresses put upon it. Jiaogulan harmonizes the functions of the body.

With the onslaught of stress, the adaptogen equips your body to meet the challenge. It strengthens the immune system and helps prevent stress ( pressures of work, toxins, an poor nutrition, etc.) from harming the body.
Studies conducted in 1990 demonstrated that the herb enhanced resistance in mice against the effects of excessive exercise, oxygen deprivation, electric stimulus, and high temperature.

In human studies, jiaogulan is show to be a potent adaptogenic. 300 athletes when tested with jiaogulan prior to a competition (with a control group given a placebo). Every member of the test group reported increased vigor and alertness, quicker reflexes, and less nervousness.

This effect is coupled with the herb's ability to promote and improve sleep---with a tested effectiveness of 89-95 percent. If the body needs rest, jiaogulan promotes rest.If it needs to be energized, the herb does that.                                                                                                                                                                    The active elements of jiaogulan are high-powered antioxidants, scavenging the body for free radicals. The antioxidants protect the body from DNA damage (caused by oxidation) and stave off the inevitable physical decline of again---accounting for the 100-yearlife span of many Chinese jiaogulan users.

A 1992 study at Loma Linda University, a Seventh-day Adventist Christian health sciences institution, demonstrated the antioxidant qualities of jiaogulan. The different elements of the herb prevented a range of oxidation damage. The researchers concluded that "the extensive antioxidant effect of gypenosides (the active molecular component of jiaogulan) may be valuable in the prevention and treatment of various diseases such as atherosclerosis, liver disease, ad inflammation".

A proven cancer inhibitor

As a result of its high-powered antioxidant effect, jiaogulan has been show to obstruct the growth of cancer. In an animal study, a test group of rats was given jiaogulan two weeks prior to the introduction of a carcinogen. After 18 weeks of receiving the carcinogen, the rats were disected. Not only was the number of tumors in the test group lower than those in the control group (who received only the carcinogen), but jiaogulan actually delayed the onset of the cancer for six weeks (even which the rats that received regular injections of carcinogens).
Similarly, in clinical studies, researchers discovered that jiaogulan increased the 'Natural Killer' cell activities in-patients with urogenital cancers, empowering their bodies to fight back against the invading tumors.

Jiaogulan regulates blood pressure and cholesterol
Both high and low blood pressures are dangerous to your health. Causing everything from heart attack in the case of high blood pressure to cerebral collapse in the case of low, they're serious conditions that must be addressed immediately. Jiaogulan does this, by bringing the blood pressure into the normal level (whether it's high or low).

In the area of hypertension (a result of dangerously high blood pressure), jiaogulan was tested in a clinical study against ginseng. The results were surprising:82 percent of those taking jiaogulan noted improvement in their conditions, vs. only 46 percent taking ginseng.
The herb has an equally powerful effect in lowering dangerous cholesterol levels. Numerous clinical studies have been published showing that jiaogulan is effective in lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, and raising the HDL (good cholesterol) levels.
In lowering the dangerous LDL cholesterol, jiaogulan helps prevent atherosclerosis, stoke,and heart attack.

Jiaogulan makes your heart more efficient
Gypenoside have been found to enhance the contractility of the heart. In doing so, they increase the efficiency of the heart's pumping mechanism. Simply put, jiaogulan reduces the burden on your heart, by helping it pump the same amount of blood with less stress and effort.
For this reason, the "immortality herb" would be perfect for an athlete, or active person, concerned with his physical output. Endurance is increased and recovery time shortened. This was born out in a study on 220 athletes and 30 healthy non-athletes. Using a color DOPLER examination, researchers found that active components of jiaogulan, in concert with other medicinal herbs, increased heart output measurably, with raising the heart rate of blood pressure.

Liver Damage and bronchitis
 The heart isn't the only organ aided and protected by jiaogulan. Its healing power also extends to the liver, which the herb shields against toxic chemicals.
The lungs, too, benefit from the herb. Jiaogulan is remarkably effective in treating bronchitis---the disease it was originally used to cure in traditional China. In one study 86 cases of bronchitis, jiaogulan improved 93 percent of those suffering. A study of 96 cases showed an effectiveness of 92 percent.
 

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