Jiaogulan Benefits

How Jiaogulan benefits were found?

Wildcrafted Jiaogulan is widely used as Chinese traditional medicine. Traditional Chinese people referred this herb as an “immortality” herb. The botanical name of this herb is Gynostemma pentaphyllum and commonly known as southern ginseng. This herb is different from Panax ginseng, but due to strong adaptogenic and antioxidant properties present in Wildcrafted Jiaogulan, it is also referred to as ginseng. [1] The leaf is mainly used for medicinal purposes.

Multiple medicinal properties of this herb include anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, lipid metabolism regulatory, antiproliferative, neuroprotective, and anxiolytic activities, which are effective exert anti-diabetic, anti-hepatitis and cardiovascular disease protective benefits. [2] 

What are the phytochemicals present in Wildcrafted Jiaogulan?

Herbal researchers identified that more than 230 phytochemicals are present in Wildcrafted Jiaogulan. Sterols, flavonoids, saponins, polysaccharides are the major class of chemical compounds present in this herb. A large variety of flavonoids present in Wildcrafted Jiaogulan, which include rutin, quercetin, ombuoside, ombuin, isorhamnetin, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-rhamno-hexoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin-rhamno-hexoside, and quercetin-di-(rhamno)-hexoside.

Apart from these variety of bioactive phytochemicals, certain trace minerals, amino acids, vitamins, and proteins are also present in this herb. Copper, iron, zinc, manganese, cobalt, nickel, selenium, molybdenum and strontium are different trace minerals present in this herb. The nutritional and phytochemical compositions of Wildcrafted Jiaogulan varies depending upon the plant part. Leaves contain a maximum concentration of nutritional and phytochemical constituents. Some other derived phytochemicals of this herb include Malonic acid, benzyl-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, lutein, palmitic acid, vomifoliol, linolenic acids, and carrot glycosides. Chlorophylls and carotenoids concentration is also high in the leaves of this plant. [2]

What is the mode of action of Jiaogulan benefits?

The high concentration of Polysaccharide and saponin content in Wildcrafted Jiaogulan acts as an energy booster. Different scientific studies selected different herbs as adaptogens, but all do not follow the same mechanism of action. The general mechanism of action for adaptogens: 

• Adaptogens stimulate the plasma and salivary synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and cortisone for adapting the body to heavy workloads. 
• Adaptogens involve in synthesis, modification, and regulation of Heat Shock proteins Hsp70 y Hsp16 
• Adaptogens also promotes the biosynthesis of ATP and assist in the sourcing of continuous energy.
• Adaptogens regulate energy synthesis and distribution, by raising the level of glucose-6-phosphate formation and alter carbohydrates metabolism. Besides, Adaptogens also regulate DNA and protein synthesis
• Adaptogens scavenge free oxygen radicals and act as a potent antioxidant.
• Adaptogen maintains homeostasis of physical and mental capacity by regulating activation and inhibition of the physiological system. [3] 

Wildcrafted Jiaogulan has widely accepted adaptogen, which helps to maintain the energy level. It also has potent anticancer property, as it acts as cytotoxic on cancerous cells and exerts antiproliferative activity. [2] Animal research study found that this herb improves cellular immune response by increasing interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-10 and interleukin-12 levels in the serum of cancer affected animals. [2]

Different Forms of Wildcrafted Jiaogulan

• Organic Gynostemma Tea is the common antioxidant dosage available dosage form of Jiaogulan. [4]
• Jiaogulan Extract Powder is also available in the market to maintain vitality, improve energy level, etc. [5] 
• Jiaogulan Herbal Tea powdered (vegetable) capsules are a dietary supplement to restore the overall physical and mental well being. [6]
• Jiaogulan teabags: This dosage form is also available in herbal store and online market. One tea bag is sufficient to prepare 4 cups of herbal tea for four times ingestion per day. [7]

Jiaogulan Uses

Adaptogen

Wildcrafted Jiaogulan acts as an adaptogen. Thus ingestion of this herbal preparation helps the body to adapt stressful condition and increase the physical threshold to withstand in unwanted circumstances. It improves both physical and psychological condition and imparts overall well-being. It helps to maintain body weight by balancing energy expenditure. It improves the digestive system functioning and balancing the whole system. [4]

Jiaogulan Benefits Heart Health

Nitric oxide acts as an important mediator acts as a vasodilator and also prevents blood clot formation. [8] Wildcrafted Jiaogulan increases the release of nitric oxide when nitric oxide production reduces and helps to maintain blood pressure. Thus, maintaining the nitric oxide levels, this herb improves cardiac health. [4] 

Jiaogulan Benefits Brain Health

Balancing nitric oxide also important for neurological health, as deficiency of NO leads to Alzheimer or Parkinson disease condition. Wildcrafted Jiaogulan regulatesnitric oxide synthesis and can prevent these neurological disorders. Also, this herb has dual functioning on the brain, means it acts as a calming agent and also exciter. Depending upon the physiological need brain functioning alters. A research conducted in Journal of Guiyang Medical College showed that it controls hormonal secretion during stress for better dealing with the condition. [4]

Jiaogulan Benefits Cholesterol 

A Chinese research study reported that Wildcrafted Jiaogulan can regulate blood circulation. It helps to control cholesterol and triglycerides level in blood and prevent hypertension. [4]

Digestion 

This herb is an effective remedy for improving stomach functioning by increasing stomach adapting nature and reduce digestive disorders. [4]

Immune System

Treatment with Wildcrafted Jiaogulan herbal remedy boosts immune functioning in the physiological stressful condition. This herb acts as an immune- modulator. It improves different immune mediators functioning, such as lymphocytes and serum IGG to improve immune system functioning. [4]

Jiaogulan Tea Benefits Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes get benefitted by ingesting Jiaogulan tea. A research study conducted in 2013 reported this herbal tea improves insulin sensitivity reaction among type 2 diabetic patients by improving insulin resistance activity and reducing triglyceride levels and liver fat content. [4]

Anti-Cancer Properties

A research finding reported that Wildcrafted Jiaogulan had followed multiple anticancer mechanisms, such as arrests cell cycle, induces apoptosis, inhibits malignant cell invasion and metastasis, hinders glycolysis and acts as an immunomodulator. [4]

Antioxidant Properties

Wildcrafted Jiaogulan has powerful antioxidant property, helps to fight against free radicals, prevents oxidative stress-induced physiological changes, diminished cellular damage, rejuvenate organ functioning. Topical application of Jiaogulan containing cream or ointment protects skin from UV damage. [4]

Jiaogulan Side Effects

Experts recommended instead of continuous long term application, use this herbal remedy for short term to avoid side effects. Long term high dose of this medication can cause nausea and loose-motion due to increased bowel movement. However, short term treatment with accurate dose does is safe to use. 

When should I avoid Jiaogulan?

This herbal mechanism is not completely studied.  Therefore, to avoid unwanted affect pregnant women and nursing mother should avoid this herbal preparation during the gestational period and breastfeeding.  Patient having autoimmune disease conditions like Multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis should not use Wildcrafted Jiaogulan containing the herbal product, as this herb acts as an immune booster.  

Wildcrafted Jiaogulan delay blood clotting, therefore, individuals should avoid to intake at least two weeks before surgical intervention and do not restart this medication without consulting with doctors. [4] 

References

• Yantao Li, Wanjun Lin, Jiajun Huang, Ying Xie, Wenzhe Ma. Anti-cancer effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino (Jiaogulan). Chin Med. 2016; 11: 43.  
• Alvaro Molinos Domene; Effects of adaptogen supplementation on sport performance. A recent review of published studies; Journal Of Human Sport & Exercise; 
• FnH. Why Jiaogulan is More Tempting than Ginseng? Food n Health. 
• Gynostemma Plus Jiaogulan Extract Powder.
• Jiaogulan Herbal Tea powdered (vegetable) capsules.
• Cell-Super-Foods & Greens. Devine Organics.
• Alison Calver, Joe Collier and Patrick Vallance. Nitric Oxide and Blood Vessels: Physiological Role And Clinical Implications. Biochemical Education 20(3) 1992.