It is in the human nature to always search for the new, alternative, better, to strife for more, and it has been that way since the dawn of time. And yes, the forbidden is always tempting, and the unknown is more tempting, and you lone to find a way to try it, and hope it is good for you. Jiaogulan is no exception, it is new, as far as the western world is concerned, it is an alternative to ginseng, it is not that well researched, so still “unknown”, but believe it, it is damn good! If you are looking for a way to get energy, keep your body resistant to cold and flu, stay younger, in body and spirit, and want to prevent some serious conditions, keep reading!
Jiaogulan History
It is no surprise that this plant comes from China, a lot of the herbs that are good for your body, and at the same not expensive, and easy to use, are probably from China. Jiaogulan grows wild in China, and it has been called “The Herb of Immortality” because it has been believed that it rejuvenates and gives strength. Also this plant has been called “Southern Ginseng” because it grows in the Southern parts of China, and it has been used there for hundreds of years, mostly as tea, but also as a sweetener, as salad and grinded as powder. The Chinese governments has noticed that the people from the region of Guizhou, Guangxi and Sichuan provinces shows high resistance to cancer, senility and other life-treating diseases, and a large percentage of people older than 100 years, so they investigated. What they had found out was that they were using wild vine herb tea called Jiaogulan tea, everyday, and the benefits of this tea are confirmed by many studies, starting from the 70’s till today.
Jiaogulan uses
Now globally, this herb has mostly been used as tea, it is the easiest way to digest it, but many have started using it as salad, because of the sweetness the plants leaves have, and also it has been used as sweetener. However you use it, you should know it is beneficiary for you whole health, and it helps in many ways, and some serious studies have been conducted to prove that. The locals that have been using this tea said that it helps lowering the blood pressure and LDL cholesterol; also it improves digestion and boosts the immune system. But there are more benefits than the eye can see, because the locals who have been using this tea are also incredibly resistant to cancer, and to some other auto-immune conditions, and they live very long life, which is thanks to diet, but also genetics, environmental factors, however, the usage of this tea undoubtedly has a large impact also.
Jiaogulan similarities with Ginseng
Besides the obvious place of origin and many benefits, there are much more similarities with Ginseng and many believe that Jiaogulan can be more potent than Ginseng, and they have science on their side to prove it. Both herbs contain Saponins, which have a strong effect on your body’s regulatory system, like immune system and blood pressure, and also nervous system and kidney and liver functions. But, there is a difference in the number of Saponins they both contain, and you’ve guessed it, Jiaogulan, has more, precisely 82 Saponins contrary to the 28 contained in Ginseng. Jiaogulan contains most of the major Saponins also contained in Ginseng, and it also contains a unique form called Gypenosides. In function, they are both similar, but a study at the Vanderbilt University in Germany has shown that Jiaogulan is twice as effective than Ginseng in treating high blood pressure, plus taking too much Ginseng is not recommended, whilst there are no restrictions with Jiaogulan, because it doesn’t raise the heart rate, it only increases the stroke volume.
Jiaogulan benefits
From the many benefits of taking Organic Gynostemma Tea (Jiaogulan), a list of the most important and most proven will be presented.
- Adaptogen – Jiaogulan is an adaptogen, which means it helps your body adapt to unwanted influences, thus making you stronger and more resistant to any stress, physical and psychological. Because of this property, it can be used as weight-loss and weight-gain supplement, in ways of correcting yours digestive system ability and balancing the whole system.
- Heart health – one of the factors that determine your health is nitric oxide. M. Tanner and his team of researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee has found out that it improves heart health, widening the blood vessels, regulating blood pressure and preventing blood clots. Jiaogulan regulates the release of NO, again adapting, and releasing more when our body is low on NO (low levels of NO also can lead to some serious conditions as Parkinson and Alzheimer!).
- Brain function – Jiaogulan has a double effect on the brain, calming it or energizing it, again, what your body needs at the moment. It does this by regulating hormone release, in both sexes, helping you deal with stress, and this fact has been proven by a research study published in the Journal of Guiyang Medical College.
- Blood health and benefits – a study made in China during the great researches on Jiaogulan in the 70’s has shown that this herb not only regulates heart blood flow, but it helps reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, and that is one of the reasons it helps keeping good blood pressure.
- Digestion – Jiaogulan improves efficiency processing food in your stomach, and lessens any digestive disturbances, again adapting to your stomach needs.
- Immune system – it helps improve the condition of your immune system, particularly when under stress. Jiaogulan is an immune-modulator and it has direct effect on the immune system, improving the components of the immune system, such as lymphocytes and serum IGG.
- Diabetes and blood sugar – a 2013 study shows that Jiaogulan tea improves insulin sensitivity in people with type-2 diabetes, by lowering triglyceride levels and reducing liver fat, and improving insulin resistance.
- Possible anti-cancer properties – although not very thoroughly researched, researches believe that this herb contain many gypenosides that show anti-cancer effects from preventing to spreading cancer cells. Holding fingers crossed on this one!
- Antioxidant properties – being a powerful antioxidant, it helps your body fight free radicals, preventing many changes in your body, from head to toe, decreasing any cellular damage, thus giving the well known rejuvenating effect. Jiaogulan can even be applied topically, protecting your skin from UV damage.
Jiaogulan possible side effect
Short-term usage of Jiaogulan is probably as safe as it can get, but you can never be too careful. Few known side effect of using too much are nausea and increased bowel movement.
Because it has not yet been researched well enough, and because it contains one chemical linked to possible birth defects, it is not recommended for pregnant women and while breastfeeding.
Because it boosts the immune system, it is not recommended to use it while having some auto-immune condition (Multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis etc), because it can affect your therapy. Again, after more studies more will be known on this subject, but until then, better to stay on the safe side.
Other precautions should be taken if you have some blood disorder, or if you have undertaken a surgery, because Jiaogulan slows blood clotting, increasing the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Better to stop using it two weeks before and past surgery.
All taken in consideration, Jiaogulan is very good for you, the benefits are sky high, and the risks of side effect minimal close to none. So, whether if it tea you prefer, or you’d rather enjoy sweetie salad, go for it, many people have seen the wondrous effect, when it is for the good of all, believe them.
