Vicony Tea Directory

Jiaogulan(Gynostemma pentaphyllum)

Jiaogulan (Je-ow-goo-län) is an herb used to make tea (actually an herbal infusion.) The scientific name is Gynostemma Pentaphyllum and comes from it's vine-like ability to climb and it's 5-leaf form.

Jiaogulan Synonyms

Amachazuru, Cucurbitaceae (family), dammarane-type saponins, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, gypenoside XLIX, gypenosides, miracle grass, southern ginseng, Vitis pentaphyllum, xianxao.

Background of Jiaogulan Tea

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is best known as a traditional Chinese medicine herb. In the Guizhou Province, it is used as an anti-aging herb and many people who drink jiaogulan tea reach very old age. However, no link between jiaogulan tea and living many years has been scientifically proven.

Jioagulan has shown some promise for treating cancer. Jiaogulan may also reduce nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, although more studies are needed in both of these areas before a recommendation can be made.

Evidence Found About Jiaogulan Tea

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Cancer: Preliminary evidence indicates that gypenosides extracted from Gynostemma pentaphyllum decrease cancer cell viability, arrest the cell cycle, and induce apoptosis (cell death) in human cancer cells. Immune function in cancer patients has also been studied. Additional study is needed in this area.

Fatty liver (nonalcoholic): Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract may be helpful for those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease when combined with other treatment. More research is needed in this area.

Tradition of Drinking Jiaogulan Tea

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Aging, anticoagulant (blood thinner), anti-inflammatory, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), bleeding (subarachnoid hemorrhage), diabetes, hepatoprotection (liver protection), hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol).

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older): There is no proven effective dose for jiaogulan, although 80 milliliters of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extraction has been taken for four months in conjunction with a controlled diet for fatty liver.

Children (younger than 18 years): There is no proven safe or effective dose for jiaogulan in children.

Safety Of Jiaogulan Tea

Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Allergies Of Jiaogulan Tea

Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) or its constituents.

Side Effects Of Jiaogulan Tea

Currently, there is not enough available evidence about the side effects of jiaogulan. Nonetheless, use cautiously in patients with hematologic (blood) conditions or taking anticoagulants or anti-platelet agents (blood thinners). Also, use cautiously in patients with diabetes as Gynostemma pentaphyllum may decrease insulin levels and insulin index scores.

Jiaogulan Tea is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.