Jiaogulan, The "Immortality Herb"

What Is Jiaogulan?

Jiaogulan (scientific name Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is an herbaceous vine from the plant family Cucurbitaceae (so it is related to the cucumber and gourd). It is native to China, Korea and Japan. Jiaogulan is most widely known as an herb claimed to offer strong antioxidant and adaptogenic benefits that increase longevity.

Jiaogulan can be grown as far north as USDA zone 8 where it will grow as a short lived perennial. You can also grow it as an annual in most climates. Just make sure it has well-drained soil and full sun. Each Jiaogulan plant is either as male or female, so if you want seeds, you have to have one plant of each gender. Jiaogulan is not toxic.

The Health Benefits Of Jiaogulan

In traditional Chinese medicine, Jiaogulan is well-known as an herbal medicinal. Zhi Wu Ming Shi Tu Kao Chang Bian, a book written by Wu Qi-Jun in 1848, lists several medicinal uses of the plant - this seems to be the first written documentation of the herb. Jiaogulan had been mentioned before, in Zu Xio's 1406 book Materia Medica for Famine, but as a survival food. It is described by the locals in certain regions of Southern China as the immortality herb, because many within the Guizhou Province, where jiaogulan tea is drunk regularly, are said have a history of living to a very old age.