Jiaogulan, new kid on the block?

July 5, 2001

, " Greg Watson " <gowatson@a...> wrote:

> Interesting herb I found on the LEF forum:

> http://forum.lef.org/exec/readTopic.cgi?message_id=23420 & view=2#23420

>

> " Jiaogulan posted by AJ

> July 05 2001

>

> Here's something interesting I just came across. Not previously mentioned on

the forums

actually discussed at some length here recently. see archive entries

at

/messagesearch?query=

gynostemma

todd

July 7, 2001

Dear Greg,

I do enjoy your posts.

However, I would like to point out that Dr. James Duke mentions this

herb in one of his books (I think the one on anti aging) as just that -

to help one keep younger longer.

I tend to follow - however - the old herbal dictum of using the

herbs on one's doorstep.

I will use herbs from this country but like to rely on those that

grow the closest.

So often a " miracle " herb is found and promoted to cure EVERY ill

known to man.

I tend to use the herbs that are HERE and grow well for me

for instance - Rudbeckia grows much better for me than Echinacea so

I would use that root for an immune booster...........love Penny

July 12, 2001

Hmmmm, the benefits sound very much like Astragalus (China's #1 herb beside ginseng).

Love,

Doc

Ian "Doc" Shillington N.D.505-772-5889Dr.IanShillington

"Jiaogulan posted by AJJuly 05 2001Here's something interesting I just came across. Not previously mentioned on the forums and a search didn't turn it upon the LEF site under either Jiaogulan or the alternative name of Penta. It "sounds" like something worth taking but whoreally knows.I ordered some from BAC anyway (cheap ).http://www.beyond-a-century.com"NEW! JIAOGULAN (Gynostemma) std to gypenocides. China's "Immortality Herb" has been used as a medicinal and energizingtea for centuries in Asia. Japanese research found it to be a powerful adaptogenic antioxidant herb with properties andchemical constituents similar, but perhaps superior, to ginseng. It helps normalize blood pressure, blood sugar, andcholesterol; strengthen the immune system; and may help athletic performance with enhanced blood oxygen levels andbetter mental focus. 1000, 50mg doses!!! 50 grams, $10.50 Code 877.0"I've pasted a full reference below. Other links:http://www.naturalhealthconsult.com/Monographs/jiaogulan.htmlhttp://members.tripodasia.com.sg/jiaogulan_tea/introd.htm--------------------------http://www.jiaogulan.net/Jiaogulan.htmJiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum), is a plant that grows wild in China, as well as many other countries throughoutAsia. In China, it has been used for many years as a medicinal and energizing tea in the local regions where it grows.Jiaogulan is sometimes called "Southern Ginseng", since it grows in south central China and because of its similarity toginseng in chemical composition and function. It is also praised as Xiancao, "Immortality" Herb, because it grows wildand has many health-giving qualities and anti-aging effects.In the late 1970s, Japanese scientists began discovering jiaogulan's illness-prevention and therapeutic qualities. Whatthey uncovered was an herb very similar in quality to ginseng, yet in some ways superior. They found jiaogulan tofunction as both an adaptogenic herb and as an antioxidant herb, containing many health-giving saponins (chemicalcompounds having a soapy characteristic), as well as trace minerals, amino acids, proteins, and vitamins.Jiaogulan contains a large quantity of these saponins, known also as gypenosides. The structure of the gypenosides isvery similar to the panaxosides (also known as ginsenosides) found in ginseng. There are four times as many saponins injiaogulan as there is in ginseng. Some of those saponins are identical to the panaxosides in ginseng and some of themturn into panaxosides when taken into the body. This results in a greater number of saponins than ginseng, which maytranslate into a more powerful regulatory effect on a number of bodily systems; like blood pressure, the reproductivesystem, the digestive system, the immune system, mental functions and more. 1, 2Scientific research studies in China have shown that jiaogulan decreases cholesterol by improving the liver's ability tosend sugar and carbohydrates to the muscles for conversion to energy instead of turning the sugar into triglycerideswhich the body stores as fat. 3 It lowers LDL's (bad cholesterol) while raising HDL's (good cholesterol). It improvesfat metabolism, reduces blood fat levels and depresses lipid peroxide and fat sediment in the blood vessels. 4While it is great for rectifying high cholesterol and obesity problems, it can also improve and strengthen thedigestion, allowing an underweight person to increase absorption of nutrients and gain weight in the form of lean musclemass. This regulatory effect on bodily functions is the hallmark of an adaptogen. 5A study at Guiyang Medical College in China has shown that a jiaogulan recipe increased strength and endurance in thebody. Considering the above statements overall, jiaogulan becomes the perfect herb for anyone who wants to improve theircompetitive edge in any field of athletic performance. 6Adaptogenic functions of jiaogulan are demonstrated in its biphasic effects on brain functions, which energize or calmthe system depending upon the body's need. 7 Jiaogulan also aids the regulation of hormonal functions in both men andwomen. The healthy maintenance of these physiological actions plays a major role in the body's ability to cope withstress. 8 Jiaogulan has also shown its effectiveness, in clinical research studies, in helping the body resistdepression of the immune system and other stress-related symptoms. It increases the production of Lymphocytes,Phagocytes and serum IgG, but not to an excess. 9Jiaogulan has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities through its many saponins. 10 Jiaogulan also helps the bodyto resist depression of the immune system and other stress-related symptoms. 11, 12 Furthermore there are other clinicalresearch studies, which indicate jiaogulan's ability to reduce tumor size. 13,14 It can even lower high blood pressure.15In China jiaogulan is praised as the "Herb of Immortality," due to its many health giving qualities and anti-agingeffects.[ This evidence for the benefits of this plant extract (under the name Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is contained in thereferences below and 28 abstracts on PubMed. -- Tom ]Footnotes1. Song, W.M., et al. "Comparison of the adaptogenic effects of jiaogulan and ginseng." Zhong Cao Yao. Chinese. 1992;23(3):136.2. Wei, Y., et al. "The effect of gypenosides to raise White Blood Count." Zhong Cao Yao. Chinese. 1993; 24, 7, 382.3. Kimura, Y., et al. "Effects of crude saponins of Gynostemma pentaphyllum on lipid metabolism." Shoyakugaku Zasshi.Japanese. 1983 (Rec'd 1984); 37(3):272-275.4. Yu, C. "Therapeutic effect of tablet gypenosides on 32 patients with hyperlipaemia." Hu Bei Zhong Yi Za Zhi. Chinese.1993; 15(3):21.5. Zhou, S., et al. "Pharmacological study on the adaptogenic function of jiaogulan and jiaogulan compound." Zhong CaoYao. Chinese. 1990; 21(7):313.6. Zhou, Ying-Na, et al. "Effects of a gypenosides-containing tonic on the pulmonary function in exercise workload."Journal of Guiyang Medical College.1993; 8(4):261.7. Zhang, Yi-Qun, et al. "Immediate effects of a gypenosides-containing tonic on the echocardiography of healthy personsof various ages." Journal of Guiyang Medical College. 1993; 18(4):261.8. Zhou, Ying-Na, et al. Influence of kiwifruit/jiaogulan recipe on the lung function and exercise endurance underexercise workload. Journal of Guiyang Medical College. 1993; 18(4):256.9. Liu, Jialiu, et al. Overall health-strengthening effects of a gypenosides-containing tonic in middle aged and agedpersons. Journal of Guiyang Medical College. 1993; (3):146.10. Li, Lin, et al. Protective Effect of Gypenosides Against Oxidative Stress in Phagocytes, Vascular Endothelial Cellsand Liver Microsomes. Loma Linda University, Calif. Cancer Biotherapy. 1993; 8(3):263-272.11. Hou, J., et al. Effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino on the immunological function of cancer patients. Journalof Traditional . (K9K). 1991; 11(1):47-5212. Qian, Hao, et al. Protective effect of jiaogulan on cellular immunity of patients with primary long cancer treatedwith radiotherapy plus chemotherapy. Acta Academiae Medicinae Shanghai. 1995; 22(5):363-366.13. Han, M.Q., et al. Effects of 24 Chinese medicinal herbs on nucleic acid, protein and cell cycle of human lungadenocarcinoma cell. Chung Kuo Chung His I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (BIF). Chinese. 1995 Mar; 15(3):147-9.14. Wu, J.L., et al. Influence of gypenosides on thrombosis and synthesis of TXA2 and PGF1a. Zhong Yao Yao Li Yu LinChuang. Chinese. 1991; 7(2):39.15. Lu, G.H., et al. Comparative study on anti-hypertensive effect of Gypenosides, Ginseng and Indapamide in patientswith essential hypertension. Guizhou Medical Journal. Chinese. 1996; 20:1."========================Will read the papers referenced and get back. This looks like a very good herb.========================Good Health & Long Life,Greg Watson, http://www.ozemail.com.au/~gowatson gowatsonFederal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington