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JIAOGULAN
Gynostemma pentaphyllum

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Depression, high cholesterin levels, immune system deficiency; to prevent stroke and coronary thrombosis (heart attack), to support post-cancer convalescence ...

Description

Composition :
100% Gynostemma pentaphyllum folium - 340 mg

Part used :
Leaves

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum), aka Southern Ginseng (no relation), is a herbaceous, annual climbing plant in the Cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae), native to southern China, Vietnam, South Korea and Japan. It is best known as a herbal remedy reputed to have powerful antioxidant effects purported to increase longevity. Jiaogulan is a hardy plant, surviving temperatures of up to -18° Celsius (0° Fahrenheit); the plant dies in winter, but shoots again in spring.

Jiaogulan is a inexpensive alternative to Ginseng; the plant can also easily be grown in one’s own garden (or even in a pot). The bio-active components are similar to those found in Ginseng and include rare saponins (so called Gypenosides); in total, 82 saponins are present in Jiaogulan, but only 20 (so called Panaxosides) are found in Ginseng. Saponins play a critical role in hormone synthesis – a fact which makes them popular with women (the plant is also called ‘Women’s Ginseng’). Gypenosides stimulate production of superoxyde-dismutase, a body enzyme and antioxidant which helps prevent arteriosclerosis, clotting of red blood platelets and finally thrombosis. In addition, Jiaogulan contains polysaccarides, ketones, amino acids, protein, trace elements and many vitamins, which makes this a important medicinal plant with powerful antioxidant and adaptogenic (health promoting) properties.

The plant has many more health promoting benefits: it promotes regeneration of optical nerves which may result in improved memory; it calms nerves and heart palpitation and promotes recovery after exertion; it soothes infections like bronchitis and cough; it alleviates Chronic Fatigue.

Jiaogulan has no negative side effects; it has pronounced balancing, metabolism and immune system stimulating, blood generating, cancer inhibiting and stress reducing properties.

In Chinese Medicine (TCM), Jiaogulan is associated with lung and spleen. Its properties are sweet, bitter and cold. At the International Conference of TCM in Peking in 1991, Jiaogulan was declared one of 10 most effective medicinal plants. The dried or fresh leaves are used to prepare tea; the young sprouts are used for salads.

History: For centuries, the Chinese in the Xiancao province boiled Jiaogulan tea; this may explain the extraordinary longevity in this region (100+ years of age). The earliest accounts about Jiaogulan stem from this part of China, where people in the 15th century ate the plant to avoid starvation. The oldest medical descriptions date back to 1580.

Note: Drink large amounts of water when taking Jiaogulan capsules.

Dosage

Take 3-6 capsules daily, with a large amount of water; for use in tea, use only fresh or dried leaves

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