Wild Jiaogulan From ChiangMai - THAILAND
What is Jiaogulan Herb ? - From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia
Gynostemma pentaphyllum, also called jiaogulan (Chinese:
绞股蓝; pinyin: jiǎogǔlแn, literally "twisting-vine-orchid") is
an herbaceous vine of the family Cucurbitaceae (cucumber or
gourd family) indigenous to the southern reaches of China,
southern Korea and Japan. Jiaogulan is best known as an
herbal medicine reputed to have powerful antioxidant and
adaptogenic effects that increase longevity
Range
Jiaogulan is a vine hardy to USDA zone 8 in which it may grow as a short lived perennial plant. It can be grown as an annual in most temperate climates, in well-drained soil with full sun. 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. Unlike most of the Cucurbitaceae, jiaogulan does not show toxicity.
Uses
Jiaogulan is consumed as a tea, and is also available as an
alcohol extract and in capsule or pill form.[1] It is known
as an adaptogen and antioxidant and has been found to
increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) which is a powerful
endogenous cellular antioxidant. Studies have found it
increases the activities of macrophages, T lymphocytes and
natural killer cells and that it acts as a tumor inhibitor.
Due to its adaptogenic effects it is frequently referred to
as "Southern Ginseng," although it is not closely related to
true Panax ginseng. Its adaptogenic constituents include the
triterpenoid saponins gypenosides which are closely
structurally related to the ginsenosides from the well-known
medicinal plant ginseng. It has been shown to lower
cholesterol levels in human studies.









