In 1977-78, Dr Masahiro Nagai initially discovered the saponins similar to those in ginseng, which were named gypenosides. Amachazuru was investigated because of its sweet taste (Amacha = sweet, cha = tea, guru = vine). ![]() This interest began when the Japanese government called for research on plants that could be used as substitutes for sugar. The Japanese have also had an interest in Gynostemma pentaphyllum, which they call amachazuru. ![]() The TCM qualities of jiaogulan are described as sweet, slightly bitter, neutral, warm, enhancing “yin” and supporting “yang,” and would be used to increase resistance to infection and to reduce inflammation. To date, over 300 scientific papers have been published, and Gynostemma pentaphyllum has been included in the Dictionary of Chinese Materia Medica. In 1972, The Research Group of Combined Traditional Chinese-Western Medicine of Qu Jing did the first study evaluating the therapeutic effects of the herb on 537 cases of chronic tracheo-bronchitis. This led to research on jiaogulan’s possible antiaging properties. A 1970s census in China showed a high percentage of centenarians, with low incidences of diseases that usually afflict the aging, in these regions. People in the provinces of Guizhou, Guangxi, and Sichuan in the mountains of south central China have historically used jiaogulan, which they called xiancao, in place of green tea. ![]() He described the herb usefulness in treating hematuria, edema and pain of the pharynx, heat and edema of the neck, tumors and trauma. The medical history of this lesser known herb goes back to 1578 AD, when a renowned herbalist, Li Shi-Zhen, included a sketch and description of jiaogulan in his classical book, Compendium of Materia Medica. The documented history of jiaogulan goes back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) when it was harvested wild for food. The potential long-term benefits of taking adaptogenic herbs, including increased immunity, modulated inflammatory response, hormone balancing, improved glucose metabolism, and enhanced cardiovascular and cognitive function, are more effectively evaluated over the longer run in our lives, as we age. As with the use of most adaptogenic herbs, the effects are system-wide and tonic overall, but that late summer and autumn I can say that I had increased energy, increased stamina, and increased concentration and focus. I drank the tea one cup daily in the morning for two months. I harvested that year, and began my own personal n=1 research with this adaptogenic herb. This amazing Curcubitaceae-family plant took off from the soil and grew and grew and grew, and the amazing 5 petaled (pentaphyllum) green growth gave more and more of the precious part of the plant that is used for medicine. She acquired the seeds from herbalist Richo Cech, and we each planted them in the earth we were stewarding: her farm in North Freedom and my urban garden in Madison. One fond memory of my Wisconsin gardening days involves my farmer and herbalist friend, Jane, who introduced me to Gynostemma pentaphyllum, named jiaogulan (pronounced gee-ow-goo-lan) in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) materia medica. Now that I live in Colorado on a rocky plateau where it rarely rains, and the wind and nibbling wildlife decimate most garden plants, I need different strategies to grow and nurture my plant friends and allies. ![]() There is rich soil, plenty of rain, adequate sun, and long warm summer months. Growing herbs in Wisconsin was a great joy. Robin DiPasquale, ND, RH Botanical Insights
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