Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) FAQs
Have questions about Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) (Gynostemma)?
We're not surprised. Despite centuries of enjoyment in many countries
in Asia, most of the western world is unfamiliar with the herb called Jiaogulan (Gynostemma).
Below are some of the frequently asked questions.
What is Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) ?
Jiaogulan (latin name: Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is a herb native to Southern China. It is technically part of the
Cucurbitaceae family of plants which mean it is relative of the gourd or cucumber family.
Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine
for over 600 years and offers a host of health benefits described in
more detail in another FAQ on this page. In general it is considerd in
Chinese medicine to be an herbal tonic, i.e. an herb beneficial to the
entire system.
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What are the health benefits of Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) ?
Traditional Herbalists recommend Jiaogulan as
a a tonic tea. A tonic is a tea that is considered beneficial to the
entire body. They also recommend it specifically for the 6 most common
chronic ailments; high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, high
cholesterol, arthritis and heart disease.
Modern research suggests four properties of Jiaogulan that make it beneficial.
- 1. Jiaogulan is a powerful adaptogen. Adaptogens are herbs
that help the body self regulate. There helpful for diabetes, obesity
and hormone issues. Gynostemma is the most potent adaptogen discovered
so far.
- 2. Jiaogulan stimulates the body to increase production of
SOD. Super-Oxide Dismutase (SOD) is an antioxidant produced by our own
bodies that; fights the effects of aging, reduces inflammation, wards
off cancer and boosts your immune system.
- 3. Jiaogulan increases the body's produciton of Nitric
Oxide. Nitric-oxide is produced by your own body and expands blood
vessels improving blood flow to all organs and reducing blood pressure.
- 4. Jiaogulan is rich in saponins. Saponins are chemical
compounds that have been shown to cleanse toxins and reduce
cholesterol. Gynostemma has 82 different saponins, three times as
many as Ginseng.
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How should I prepare Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) tea?
Jiaogulan is a delicate tea. Be careful not to over
brew. You should need no more than 1/2 tsp. of our jiaogulan for an 8
oz. cup of tea. Keep the temperature between 140º F and 160º F. Brewing
tome should be between 2 and 5 minutes depending on how strong you like
your tea.
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My Jiaogulan tea tastes bitter. I thought you said it was sweet?
There are two varieties of
Jiaogulan (Gynostemma),
sweet and bitter. We only sell the sweet variety. However, if sweet
jiaogulan is over brewed it takeson a bitter after taste. Please refer
to our brewing page for full instructions on how to brew jiaogulan.
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Does Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) contain caffeine?
Jiaogulan is an herb in the gourd family and is 100% naturally caffeine free.
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I don't care for hot tea during warm weather. Can I prepare Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) as an iced tea?
Jiaogulan is a refreshing iced tea. Just prepare the tea as normal and then chill or try preparing it as a sun tea.
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What is an adaptogen?
Russian scientist N. V. Lazarev coined the term adaptogen
in 1947 to describe herbs that have "a normalizing action on various
bodily functions regardless of the direction of the pathological
condition." In other words, an adaptogen is an herb that helps the body
self-regulate. If something is out of balance, either too much of
something or too little of something, an adaptogen helps the body
return to the ideal state.
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How much Jiaogulan(Gynostemma) should I consume?
The simple answer is, "as much as you want". Most people experience
no adverse side effects to jiiaogulan. We recommend 4 to 8 cups per day
of tea. If taking jiaogulan in capsule form the recommendation is usually 2 to 6 capsules twice daily.
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Are there any side effects from Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) ?
Nausea, sometimes described as serious, has been associated with
taking gynostemma. Also reported is a possible increase in the number
of bowel movements.
No other side effects have been reported consistently from using
gynostemma. Since few reliable studies of its use have been conducted
in humans, however, it may have side effects that are not yet known.
Individuals who experience unexplained side effects while taking
gynostemma should stop taking it and tell a doctor or pharmacist about
the side effects. (Provided by Courtesy of Drug Digest)
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Are there any drug interactions I should be concerned about?
"Prescription Drugs
In studies, gynostemma has been shown to increase the time blood needs
to clot. When it is taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, the
effect of the drug may be increased, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding.
• Antiplatelets include clopidogrel and ticlopidine
• Anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin
Because it can affect immune system function, gynostemma may interfere
with the effects of drugs used to suppress the immune system after
organ transplants or in other conditions. Taking gynostemma is not
recommended for patients who take drugs such as:
• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• CellCept
• cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
• Prograf
• Rapamune
• Zenapax
Non-prescription Drugs
Gynostemma may reduce the ability of blood to clot after an injury. Aspirin may also decrease clotting, so
gynostemma should not be taken at the same time as aspirin.
Herbal Products
Theoretically, if gynostemma is used with other herbs that affect blood
clotting, bleeding may occur. Some of the most common herbal products
that might inhibit blood clotting are:
• Danshen
• Devil's Claw
• Eleuthero
• Garlic
• Ginger (in high amounts)
• Ginkgo
• Horse Chestnut
• Panax Ginseng
• Papain
Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more
severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions
is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are
currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins,
and herbals. For specific information on how gynostemma interacts with
drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions,
please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible
interactions."
Quoted from Drug Digest (all rights retained).
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What is the difference between loose leaf tea and tea bags?
Tea bags are a great way to brew tea there just a bad way to store
tea. Crushing the leaves in order to force them into a tea bag during
processing ruins the taste and greatly decreases shelf life. If you
like brewing in bags, consider buying good quality natural fiber empty
bags and loosely spoon your jiaogulan into the bag just before brewing.
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Is it necessary to rinse Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) before brewing?
All teas are ruined if in contact with moisture between the times of
harvest and brewing. So your tea arrives to you without ever having
been washed. Our teas are cultivated organically and heated three
separate times, effectively sterilizing any contaminates. Nonetheless,
we recommend for our teas (and all teas) a rinse with the hot water
before brewing. In our case it doesn't make a difference from a health
perspective but you will notice the difference in the taste.
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How long is Jiaogulan's average shelf-life?
If stored in a sealed container your Jiaogulan will keep for up to 1 year, but connoisseurs will notice a difference in taste.
Best taste and health benefits are within 3 months of the harvest.
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Where can I buy Jiaogulan (Gynostemma) ?
Here of course! Visit our catalog for a full list of options.
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