Jiaogulan, in the form of tea, is known as the "herb of immortality" in China.
Jiaogulan (pronounced jow-goo-lawn) is a Chinese herb that is similar in many ways to the more popularly known herb Ginseng. In fact, due to this similarity and the fact that it grows wild in Southern China, it is sometimes referred to as Southern Ginseng. Its biological name is Gynostemma Pentaphyllum. It grows in remote mountainous areas in Southern China. In this region, where a great many people live to be one hundred years old, villagers drink it as a tea, and call it the "Herb of Immortality," believing it helps promote endurance and decrease fatigue.
Chemical Components
In Japan, Jiaogulan goes by the name Amachazuru. The herb's medicinal uses are described in the Japanese Colour Encyclopedia of Medicinal Herbs. Japanese studies have examined similarities between the active ingredients in Amachazaru (or Jiaogulan) and Ginseng. Both herbs contain the chemical substances saponins, called gypenosides in Jiaogulan. By any name, saponins are believed to have a number of positive effects on health.
Adaptogen and Antioxident
The chemical components of Jiaogulan, gypenosides, are believed to have both adaptogen and antioxidant benefits. Adaptogens help the body regulate its systems and adapt to various stresses that throw systems out of balance. As an adaptogen, Jiaogulan helps regulate a number of the body's functions, particularly helping the body resist the effects of stress.
Jiaogulan is also an antioxidant, which means it helps fight free radicals that damage cells and are linked to many illnesses. A study noted on the Jiaogulan organization website indicates that the gypenosides found in Jiaogulan have a positive antioxidant effect and may even help the body naturally produce more antioxidants on its own. (Dai, D.Y. et al. The effect of antioxidant Chinese herbs on SOD activity, MDA content and ultra-structural damage to brain tissue in mice with chronic fluorosis. Chinese Journal of Endemic Diseases. China. 1998.)
Diabetes and Insulin
Studies indicate a positive link between Jiaogulan and the insulin levels so critical for diabetics. Jiaogulan.org states that an article published in 2004 in the Journal of Biological Chemistry reported identification of a new gypenoside "that appears related to insulin production." Researchers from Stockholm, Sweden and Hanoi, Vietnam, working together, found that "when pancreatic cells of rats were stimulated with this gypenoside they produced insulin." Other rats that were hypoglycemic were given this gypenoside to eat, and then "showed improved glucose tolerance and the insulin levels in their blood increased." (...ke Norberg, et al. A Novel Insulin-releasing Substance, Phanoside, from the Plant Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2004.)
In another study, published in the Journal of Applied Combined Chinese and Western Medicine in 1997, Jiaogulan extract was given to patients with diabetes. "After just 8 weeks 89.1% of patients showed improved glucose, insulin, and triglyceride levels." (Cheng, H.W. et al. Clinical study on the effect of gypenosides on hyperlipaemia in 46 patients with diabetes mellitus. Journal of Applied Combined Chinese and Western Medicine. 1997)
Obesity and Cholesterol
Jiaogulan helps fight cardiovascular disease and supports heart health in a number of ways. As an adaptogen, it helps the body absorb nutrients and also aids in digestion. More directly, it appears to help control cholesterol. According to Herb.com, "Clinical studies of the therapeutic effectiveness of Jiaogulan on patients with high cholesterol have been reported showing an effectiveness rate ranging from 67-93% success. These studies showed that Jiaogulan lowered blood cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL, while increasing HDL." (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.)
Jiaogulan Today
Jiaogulan was slower to catch the attention of researchers than many other Eastern herbs, but a number of scientific studies have been conducted in China and other countries in recent decades. Most of the modern research on Jiaogulan, as of the late 1990s, was published in a book called "Jiaogulan, China's 'Immortality' Herb," by Dr. Jialiu Liu and Michael Blumert. Today, there is an online Jiaogulan organization, and Jiaogulan tea and capsules are available through a number of websites. The only reported side effects from taking Jiaogulan seem to be possible nausea and increased bowel movements. As the website Biogro.us indicates, "individuals who experience unexplained side effects while taking Gynostemma should stop taking it and tell a doctor or pharmacist about the side effects."
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