The Immortality Herb

Jiaogulan Tea Enhances Health

The Chinese herb, jiaogulan is believed to improve many bodily functions and aid in various therapeutic effects which include helping regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels, boost immunity, act as an antioxidant and increase the heart’s metabolism, which improves the body’s ability to release nitric oxide and aid in the relaxation of the coronary blood vessels.

To highlight some of the ways jiaogulan is utilized to enhance health, see below:

1.     Cholesterol - Jiaogulan regulates cholesterol and inhibits platelet accumulation, which may offer the reduction in occurrence of heart attack or stroke.

2.     Adaptogen – It restores natural balance to the body, offering protection against stress and regulating the nervous system.  Additionally, it helps ward off negative effects of stress, increases attention span and energy levels. 

3.     Sleeplessness – improves ability to relax and sleep.

4.     Antioxidant – This herb naturally lowers free radicals in the body.

5.     Regulates blood pressure – in a study of over two hundred patients, jiaogulan was shown to improve blood pressure levels mores so than ginseng.

6.     Heart function – Along with improvement of blood pressure, the risk of heart problems is also potentially reduced with regular consumption of jiaogulan tea.

7.     White Blood Cell Count and Immune System Function – Jiaogulan tea studies have shown that it has the ability to increase the production of white blood cell count in cancer treatment patients and it also raises lymphocyte formation in the body.   

In addition to jiaogulan tea offering so many ways to enhance your health, it is naturally sweet and tasty!

History of Jiaogulan Tea

Often used in traditional Chinese medicine, Jiaogulan is considered to be a longevity plant and is frequently referred to as the “immortality plant".  Available in both supplement and tea form, jiaogulan is most recognized as a tea. Native to Asia, this herb is particularly known for its association with the hilly areas of Southern China where the it is harvested and enjoyed by the areas residents for decades.  After a day in the fields, the individuals would routinely brew jiaogulan tea to help alleviate tiredness and increase energy.  It continues to be a refreshing elixir and is now recognized for its ability to produce a feeling of overall well being.

While for centuries, the Chinese have viewed jiaogulan as a longevity herb; it was not introduced to western society until the 1970s.  This is the result of a national study of demographics whereas this certain small south-central part of China, where jiaogulan grew, figures revealed that the population in the area had a very low occurrence of cancer and many residents lived past the age of 100. 

Needless to say, it sparked much interest and curative effects and different forms of jiaogulan were researched.  These studies revealed that jiaogulan exceeded benefits of panax-ginseng with four times as many saponins present.  Saponins have an exceptional quality of dissolving both oil and water and when mixed with water, the saponin can froth up.  This raises the ability of jiaogulan to increase stamina and provide health-boosting benefits as well as offer resistance to the effects that stress can have on the body. 

Over time, recipes and tonics were formulated with jiaogulan being the main ingredient and are to this day used in Oriental medical organizations. Studies of the advantages of jiaogulan continue including the production of and farming methods used in harvesting the “immortality plant”.  History also reveals that in the period of the Qin Empire (221 B.C.), the Emperors of early China perhaps sent numerous envoys abroad to seek out this "elixir of immortality".  Maybe, the "elixir" continues to be located by descendants of the Emperors, developing within their own fatherland!

Just a few of the recognized potential benefits of Jiaogulan include the suppression of tumors, improvement of stamina, reduction of cholesterol and blood-pressure and ability to help shield the cellular resistance in addition to supplying several additional health advantages.

What is Jiaogulan Tea?

An herb that is harvested from a climbing vine native to Asia, jiaogulan is a member of the cucumber family.  It is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine as an herb that has many health benefits.  Used as a tea, it has a delicate, sweet flavor and is often referred to as the “herb of immortality.”

Also known as xiancao or southern ginseng, and the scientific name gynostemma pentaphyllum”  Whatever name you choose to call it is a herb that offers many benefits.

This “herb of immortality” has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries with recognition of it being an adaptogen in the body that helps reinstate balance and protect against common side effects associated with stress. 

Jiaogulan started gaining recognition in the western regions after a 1970s census showed interesting results for a southern area in China, known as the Guizhou Province that had several people over the age of 100 living there.  The community had enjoyed jiaogulan tea on a daily basis since the 15^th century because it was natively grown, therefore cheaper then many commercial teas. 

The noted link between jiaogulan and longevity of life was of definite interest to the western culture so research began.  According to this research jiaogulan, enhances the function of specialized white blood cells, called phagocytes, that are utilized in digesting wastes and destroying pathogens in cells.  This enhancement that the herb offers is thought to provide protection of the brain against oxidative stress, which is known to lead to Parkinson’s Disease.

So what is jiaogulan tea?  The “herb of immortality” might just state it all.