Chinese Medicine: The Amazing Health Benefits of Jiao Gu Lan

As we continue into looking at the amazing health rejuvenating tonic herbs in the true Superior Tonic Class, Jiao Gu Lan has to be one of the greatest Tonic Herbs in the world! So much longevity and health restoration is associated with this herb. It is almost hard to find a place to start with when it comes to the healing and corrective properties of this herb.

A lot of the following information is taken from studies done in China, Korea and Japan on Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP) and its gypenosides:

Let’s first take a look at its Cholesterol Lowering Abilities: Jiao Gu Lan lowers total cholesterol by making it larger in size and thereby reducing its numbers in testing. It also raises HDL (which is not a cholesterol at all as the medical system would have you believe but is a protein binder). More tha
20 papers have been published on the subject with effectiveness reported as ranging from 67 to 93%. It also inhibits platelet aggregation which lessens the chance of a stroke or heart attack; which cholesterol lowering drugs do nothing for.

As for blood pressure, 223 patients were divided into three groups. One group took Ginseng, the next took Jiao Gu Lan and the last took the blood pressure medication, "Indapamide". The effectiveness was rated at 46% for Ginseng, 82% for Jiao Gu Lan and 93% for Indapamide. Jaio Gu Lan modulates blood pressure, lowering it when it is too high and raising it when it is too low.

As an antioxidant, this herb has been shown in tests to lower the amount of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide in certain white blood cells, an excellent indicator of antioxidant activity. Jiao Gu Lan also has the remarkable property of increasing endogenous SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) in the body. SOD is one of the body's most important antioxidants and studies show that charting SOD levels in various animal species is a reliable indicator of their longevity. Trials in humans showed that SOD levels returned to youthful levels after taking 20 mg of Gypenosides (active principle) daily for one month.

Jiao Gu Lan also modulates the nervous system. It calms an overexcited nervous system and stimulates a depressed one. 300 professional athletes were the subject of a study. All the athletes reported that taking this herb before competition made them vigorous and alert with quick reflexes. Yet, it also made them less nervous.

112 cases of insomnia reported a sleep improvement of 89 to 95 percent.

This herb modulates lymphocyte formation and increases lymphocyte activity. It was also found to greatly enhance the activity of NK (Natural Killer) cells in cancer patients. Animal tests proved that crude gynosaponins possessed obvious anticancer and anti-ulcer attributes, inhibited the side effects of glucocortico-hormones, promote cell metabolism, benefit sleep and lower blood lipids. Gynosaponins might be able to inhibit the multiplying of cancer cells in the liver, uterus, lung, etc. by as much as 20-80%. (Shown by tests with mice using experimental sarcoma-180.)

As a Clinical TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Herbalist for over 25 years, people often ask me, “Are there any herbs you take on a totally regular basis and plan on taking for the rest of your life?” My answer always goes something like this: My wife and I both take only two herbs on a regular basis. They are He Shou Wu (Polygonum muiltiflorum) and Jiao Gu Lan (Gynastemma pentaphyllum). We take at least a teaspoon (Sometimes more like a tablespoon) twice a day of the He Shou Wu Tincture and three capsules twice daily of Jiao Gu Lan Extract (A 5:1 extract in 1000 mg caps).

Many people also ask, “Do you take any supplements?” My answer is simply no! (Unless they are whole food or whole plant medicine). Most supplements are fast becoming nothing more then FDA approved Pharma-owned Garbage! The system of whole natural Superior Chinese Tonic Herbs is so much more effective for specific problems and for pure radiant health.

Just because my wife and I take these two tonic herbs on a daily basis, this does not mean this is the best thing for everyone! There are about 100 herbs in this class and I hope to cover most of them in the following months to come. Every one of the True Tonic Herbs has an amazing story and are most always associated with longevity and a healthier happier life with energy to spare and even a good sex life well into old age.

I wish you all the best of health and a long happy life.