Jiaogulan
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| Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino 1902 |
Gynostemma pentaphyllum, also called Jiaogulan (Chinese: 绞股蓝; pinyin: jiǎogǔlán) is an herbaceous vine of the family Cucurbitaceae (cucumber or gourd family) indigenous to the southern reaches of China.
The plant is best known for its use as an herbal medicine in traditional Chinese medicine. It is described by the local people as the immortality herb, because people within the Guizhou Province, where jiaogulan tea is drunk regularly, have a history of living to a very old age.[citation needed]
It was used as a natural sweetener in Japan and is known as an adaptogen and antioxidant. Due to its adaptogenic effects it is frequently referred to as "Southern Ginseng," although it is not closely related to true ginseng. Its adaptogenic constituents are gypenosides which are closely structurally related to the ginsenosides from the well known medicinal plant ginseng. It is also purported to lower cholesterol levels.
Jiaogulan is a vine hardy to USDA zone 8 in which it may grow as a short lived perennial plant; in lower zones it can be grown as an annual. The plant is dioecious, meaning each plant exists either as male or female, thus if seeds are desired both a male and female plant must be grown.
Other names for jiaogulan include amachazuru, Miracle Grass, Vitis pentaphyllum, and Xianxao. One U.S.-based company markets jiaogulan under the name "Panta," but this name does not seem to be derived from any Asian language; instead, the name most likely comes from the plant's Latin name.
[edit] References
- Saleeby, J. P. Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens. (The third chapter is dedicated to Jiaogulan.)
[edit] External links
- A summary of scientific studies related to the effectiveness of Jiaogulan and gypenosides
- Jiaogulan, Free Radicals and Anitoxidants
- Drug Digest presents side-effects and interactions for Gynostemma
[edit] Further Reading
- David Winston & Steven Maimes. “ADAPTOGENS: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief,” Healing Arts Press, 2007. Contains a detailed herbal monograph on Jiaogulan and highlights health benefits.
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