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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Gynostemma pentaphyllum''
| image = Jiaogulan.JPG
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Cucurbitales]]
| familia = [[Cucurbitaceae]]
| subfamilia = Zanonioideae
| subtribus = Gomphogyninae
| genus = ''[[Gynostemma]]''
| species = '''''G. pentaphyllum'''''
| binomial = ''Gynostemma pentaphyllum''
| binomial_authority = ([[Thunb.]]) Makino 1902
}}
[[Image:Jiaogulan.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Baby jiaogulan plants]]
'''''Gynostemma pentaphyllum''''', also called '''jiaogulan''' ({{zh-cp|c=[[wiktionary:绞|绞]][[wiktionary:股|股]][[wiktionary:蓝|蓝]]|p=jiǎogǔlán}}) is an [[herbaceous]] [[vine]] of the family [[Cucurbitaceae]] ([[cucumber]] or [[gourd]] family) indigenous to the southern reaches of [[China]], southern [[Korea]] and [[Japan]]. Jiaogulan is best known as an [[herbal medicine]] reputed to have powerful [[antioxidant]] and [[adaptogen]]ic effects that increase longevity.

==Range==
Jiaogulan is a vine hardy to [[Hardiness zone|USDA zone]] 8 in which it may grow as a short lived [[perennial plant]]. It can be grown as an annual in most temperate climates, in well-drained soil with full sun. The plant is dioecious, meaning each plant exists either as male or female, thus if seeds are desired both a male and female plant must be grown. Unlike most of the Cucurbitaceae, jiaogulan does not show toxicity.

==Uses==

Jiaogulan is consumed primarily as a tea, and is also used as a natural sweetener in [[Japan]]{{fact|date=September 2007}}. It is known as an [[adaptogen]] and [[antioxidant]] and has been found to increase [[superoxide dismutase]] (SOD) which is a powerful endogenous cellular antioxidant. Studies have found it increases the activities of [[macrophage]]s, [[T lymphocytes]] and natural [[killer cells]] and that it acts as a tumor inhibitor.<ref>Liu et. al. "Therapeutic and Tonic effects of Jiaogulan on Leukopenia Patients".</ref> Due to its adaptogenic effects it is frequently referred to as "Southern Ginseng," although it is not closely related to true Panax [[ginseng]]. Its adaptogenic constituents include the [[triterpenoid saponins]] [[gypenoside]]s which are closely structurally related to the [[ginsenoside]]s from the well-known medicinal plant ginseng. It has been shown to lower [[cholesterol]] levels in human studies.<ref>LaCour, Molgaard and Yi. Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Lipidaemia. 1995</ref>

The plant is best known for its use as an [[herbal medicine]] in [[traditional Chinese medicine]], although its inclusion in [[Wu Qi-Jun]]'s 1848 botany book ''Zhi Wu Ming Shi Tu Kao Chang Bian'' discusses a few medicinal uses and seems to be the earliest known documentation of the herb. Prior to that, Jiaogulan was cited as a survival food in [[Zu Xio]]'s 1406 book ''Materia Medica for Famine''. Until recently it was a locally known herb used primarily in regions of southern China. It is described by the local inhabitants as the immortality herb, because people within the [[Guizhou]] Province, where jiaogulan tea is drunk regularly, have a history of living to a very old age.<ref name="Winston">[[David Winston]] & Steven Maimes. ''Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief'', Healing Arts Press (2007). Contains a detailed herbal monograph on jiaogulan and highlights health benefits.</ref><ref name="Bensky">Dan Bensky, Steven Clavey, Erich Stoger, and Andrew Gamble. ''Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition''. Eastland Press 2004</ref> Most research has been done since the 1960s when the Chinese realized that it might be an inexpensive source for adaptogenic compounds, taking pressure off of ginseng stock.

Adaptogenic herbs are nontoxic in normal doses, produce a nonspecific defensive response to stress, and have a normalizing influence on the body. They normalize the [[hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis]] (HPA axis). As defined, adaptogens constitute a new class of natural, homeostatic metabolic regulators.<ref name="Winston"/> However they are also functional at the level of [[allostasis]] which is a more dynamic reaction to long term stress, lacking the fixed reference points of homeostasis.<ref>Robyn Klein (2004). [http://www.rrreading.com/files/Manu%20Allostasis%20and%20Adaptogens.pdf Allostasis Theory and Adaptogenic Plant Remedies]</ref> Jiaogulan is a calming adaptogen which is also useful in formula with [[codonopsis]] for [[jet lag]] and [[altitude sickness]].<ref name="Bensky">Dan Bensky, Steven Clavey, Erich Stoger, and Andrew Gamble. "Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition." Eastland Press 2004</ref>

==Alternate names==
Western languages such as English and German commonly refer to the plant as jiaogulan. Other names include:<ref>[http://www.immortalitea.com/othernames.htm Other Names for Jiaogulan]</ref>
*[[Chinese language|Chinese]]: ''xiancao'' ([[wikt:仙|仙]][[wikt:草|草]], literally "immortal grass"; more accurately "herb of immortality")
*[[English language|English]]: five-leaf ginseng, poor man's ginseng, miracle grass, fairy herb, sweet tea vine, gospel herb
*[[Japanese language|Japanese]]: ''amachazuru'' ([[kanji]]: [[wikt:甘|甘]][[wikt:茶|茶]][[wikt:蔓|蔓]]; [[hiragana]]: あまちゃずる; literally ''amacha''=sweet, ''cha''=tea, ''zuru''=vine)
*[[Korean language]]: ''dungkulcha'' (덩굴차) or ''dolwe'' (돌외)
*[[Latin]]: ''Gynostemma pentaphyllum'' or ''Vitis pentaphyllum''
*[[Thai language|Thai]]: ''jiaogulan'' (เจียวกู่หลาน) 
*[[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]]: ''Giảo cổ lam''

One U.S.-based company markets jiaogulan under the name "Panta". At least one U.S. company markets jiaogulan under the name "Penta Concentrate" for lowering cholesterol.<ref name="Blumert">{{cite book
| title = Jiaogulan: China's "Immortality Herb" — Unlocking the Secrets of Nature's Powerful Adaptogen and Antioxidant
| url=http://www.jiaogulan.net/Jiaogulan.htm
| edition =
| last = Blumert
| first = Michael
| coauthors =
| year = 1999
| publisher = Torchlight Publishing
| id = ISBN 978-1887089166
| pages = }}</ref><ref>Zhang ZH, et al. Propagation of Gynostemma pentaphyllum by tissue culture. China J Chinese Materia Medica. 1989; 14(6)</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.aumtea.com/scientific_studies.htm A summary of scientific studies related to the effectiveness of Jiaogulan and gypenosides on a commercial site]
*[http://www.projectgoodlife.com/index.php?page=jiaogulan Jiaogulan, Free Radicals and Anitoxidants]
*[http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/HerbsWho/0,3923,552773|Jiaogulan,00.html Drug Digest presents side-effects and interactions for Gynostemma]
*[http://www.immortalitea.com/J_history.htm History of Jiaogulan]

==Further reading==
*Saleeby, J. P. ''[http://www.xlibris.com/wonderherbs Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens]''. (The third chapter is dedicated to jiaogulan.)

[[Category:Cucurbitaceae]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Chinese folklore]]
[[Category:Dietary supplements]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Sweeteners]]
[[Category:Traditional Chinese medicine]]
[[Category:Herbal tea]]
[[Category:Chinese tea]]

Jiaogulan - Revision history

MediaWiki default at 13:09, 17 October 2007