How to Grow Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum)

Place the cuttings in a glass of water until they root, then pot them up or plant them outdoors. You can also grow Jiaogulan by planting seeds directly in the garden after the last frost in spring, or plant them indoors in pots filled with moist seed-starting mix.

Where does gynostemma grow?
How do you harvest gynostemma?
What are the side effects of gynostemma?
How do you make immortality herbal tea?
What is gynostemma good for?
How much Jiaogulan should I take?
How do you dry Jiaogulan leaves?
Is gynostemma good for weight loss?
Does gynostemma reduce weight?
Is Jiaogulan healthy?

Where does gynostemma grow?

Gynostemma pentaphyllum, also called jiaogulan (Chinese: 绞股蓝, Pinyin: jiǎogǔlán, literally "twisting blue plant"), is a dioecious, herbaceous climbing vine of the family Cucurbitaceae (cucumber or gourd family) widely distributed in South and East Asia as well as New Guinea.

How do you harvest gynostemma?

Harvesting Jiaogulan

Cut the vines into 3-5 inch pieces to give the stems a chance to dry at the same rate as the leaves. Once all of the plant pieces are dried, you can put them inside a food dehydrator until they're crisp.

What are the side effects of gynostemma?

Jiaogulan is generally regarded as safe, though it may cause side effects, including nausea and an increase in bowel movements. There are, however, some notable concerns for certain individuals: Jiaogulan may have an impact on the immune system.

How do you make immortality herbal tea?

Boil pure water (spring water is our favorite) and infuse fresh Jiaogulan leaf. Use 1 teaspoon/1gm of Jiaogulan for an 8oz/250ml cup. Infuse the leaf for about 3 to 10 minutes. Enjoy your tea while nibbling on the settling sweet leaves; there's no need for a tea bag.

What is gynostemma good for?

Jiaogulan is used for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and improving heart function. It is also used for strengthening the immune system, increasing stamina and endurance, increasing resistance to environmental stress (as an “adaptogen”), improving memory, and preventing hair loss.

How much Jiaogulan should I take?

Jiaogulan tea (aqueous extract) 6 g/day, in divided doses twice a day 30 minutes before meals, has been studied in 2 clinical trials in patients with type 2 diabetes; 225 mg twice daily was used for 12 weeks in an antiobesity trial.

How do you dry Jiaogulan leaves?

Cut the vines into 3- to 5-inch pieces to allow the stems to dry at the same rate as the leaves. Those pieces can then be placed inside a food dehydrator until they are crisp, or they can be spread on screens propped up by sawhorses or other supports in an area protected from sunlight and rain.

Is gynostemma good for weight loss?

I had read a couple of interesting studies about gynostemma tea, that it helped level blood sugar, increase weight loss and lower cholesterol over long periods of time, generally between 2-6 months.

Does gynostemma reduce weight?

The gynostemma really works. I felt calmer, happier and lost a little bit of weight. I plan to keep taking it.

Is Jiaogulan healthy?

The Chinese call jiaogulan an “immortality” herb and claim it has rejuvenating properties. Many say it can help the body resist stress as well as boost cardiovascular health. Practitioners of herbal medicine classify it as an adaptogen because it's believed to help the body without causing harm or imbalance.