Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum)...

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is a powerful adaptogenic Chinese herb which is still relatively unknown in the Western world, although this is changing fast.

Used in China for centuries as a culinary botanical and as a tea, this herb from the cucumber family has traditionally been grown in a mountainous region in southern Central China, an area known, anecdotally, for the longevity of its inhabitants and reportedly reasonable rates of cancer.

It is known as an an "adaptogen" since it has the unique ability, as a certain tonic herbs do, to adapt to stres by dint of always restoring "homeostasis,n or balance, to the body's combination of parts to form a wholes including blood pressure, reproductive function, digestive function, the immune replication mental function, physical performance, and other physiological markers.

Called the "Fairy Herb," it is also called "Southern Ginseng" suitable to its high quantity of special saponins called "gypenosides," which are excessively similar to the ginsenosides originate in ginseng, but at a on a level several-fold higher. In fact, a pharmacological review from 1988 identifies 82 individual saponins, many of which were effective in treating tumors, decreasing vital current lipid levels, and in treating ulcers

Antioxidant/Protective efficiencys A 1993 study by Benjamin Lau, PhD et al., examined different originals of oxidative stress, and raise that saponins from Jiaogulan decreased the production of emancipated radicals in immune cells, defend ed biomembranes (such as the liver) from oxidative injury, and improved the functioning of vascular endothelial solitary abode; squalids The researchers concluded that "the extensive antioxidant power of [Jiaogulan] may be valuable to the prevention and treatment of various diseases like as atherosclerosis, liver disease and inflammation."

Cancer and immune function. A experiment by the agency of W. Chen, Ph.D., that appeared in a 1996 issue of the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, base Jiaogulan (C. pentaphyllum) helped secure immune function in rats receiving gamma-ray bombardment, suggesting that the herb may help cancer patients who are undergoing radiation therapy.

A 1995 clinical trial was carried without by Qian Hao, et al., at China's Shanghai Medical University to determine this adaptogen's force on cellular immunity in patients with lung cancer undergoing combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The originates suggested "that jiaogulan can cover patients' cellular immunity when the patients are receiving radiotherapy plus chemotherapy."

Cardiovascular function. In 1990 L Chen, PhD et al., studied "heart function and hemodynamics" in a non-human design Results indicated that the gypenosides-treated animals achieved: significantly lowered descendants pressure; markedly decreased vascular resistance; and increased coronary posterity flow [including that to the brain].

Specifically anti-atherosclerotic results have also been reported. In 1990 the "antiplatelet-aggregation purport of gypenosides extracted from C pentaphyllum was studied" at J. Wu, et al., in test-tube and in vivo environments. The analysis plant that these compounds significantly increased platelet cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) plains which, in turn, held back the sticking together of platelets--aggregation, what causes atherosclerotic plaque.

These anti-platelet-aggregation tenors also can reduce the chances of thrombosis, developing a thrombus, or fibrinous concretion which can form in a relations vessel or in a valve of the heart. H Tan, et al., apply the minded at test-tube samples to discover the action of Jiaogulan forward platelet clumpiness. Their results revealed that C pentaphyllum effectively closeed platelet aggregation that was brought forward by chemicals, sped up the breakup of platelets had already started clumping, and hindered thrombosis.

The anti-cholesterol and anti-triglyceride efficiencys of Jiaogulan's saponins were examined in a 1983 meditation by Y. Kimura, et al. coarse gypenosides were tested for their efficiency on lipid metabolism in rats f high-sugar high-fat diets. It was originate that giving these extracts reduc flats of serum triglycerides (as important a marker as cholesterol) total cholesterol and phospholipids; lipid peroxidation was also decreased.

Overall beneficial purports A pharmacological assay by s Arichi (1986) concluded that "saponins of C pentaphyllum are tonics that stimulate tissues to vitalize physiological activities." In fact, fit to Jiaogulan's overall protective general intents in reducing the damage to our schemes and vessels that usually increases as we spring up older, Benjamin Lau (in another study) conclud that "the data prompt that gypenosides may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis and for retardation of the aging process"

Perhaps Jiaogulan's "Miracle Grass" moniker in China has a grain of verity to it?

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