JIAOGULAN Overview Information
Jiaogulan is a plant that grows wild in China. The leaf is used to make medicine. Jiaogulan is sometimes referred to as “Southern Ginseng” because it grows in south central China and is used in similar ways as ginseng.
Jiaogulan is used for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and improving heart function. It is also used for strengthening the immune system, increasing stamina and endurance, increasing resistance to environmental stress (as an “adaptogen”), improving memory, and preventing hair loss.
Other uses include treatment of poor appetite, cough, chronic bronchitis, ongoing stomach pain (chronic gastritis), pain and swelling (inflammation), ulcers, constipation, stress, gallstones, obesity, cancer, diabetes, trouble sleeping (insomnia), backache, and pain.
Some people use jiaogulan as an anti-aging agent, antioxidant, and detoxifying agent.
How does it work?
Jiaogulan contains substances that might help reduce cholesterol levels.
JIAOGULAN Uses & Effectiveness 
Possibly Effective for:
- Reducing cholesterol levels. There is some evidence that taking jiaogulan can decrease total cholesterol and increase the high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/total cholesterol ratio in patients with high cholesterol levels.
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Regulating blood pressure.
- Bronchitis.
- Stomach disorders.
- Ulcers.
- Constipation.
- Gallstones.
- Obesity.
- Cancer.
- Diabetes.
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
- Backache.
- Pain.
- Improving memory.
- Improving heart function.
- Other conditions.
JIAOGULAN Side Effects & Safety
Jiaogulan might be safe when used short-term (up to 30 days). It can cause some side effects such as severe nausea and increased bowel movements.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Jiaogulan may not be safe in pregnancy. One of the chemicals in jiaogulan has been linked to possible birth defects.Not enough is known about the safety of jiaogulan during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Bleeding disorders: Jiaogulan may slow blood clotting. There is a concern that it might make bleeding disorders worse.
Surgery: Since jiaogulan may slow blood clotting, there is some concern that it might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using jiaogulan at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
JIAOGULAN Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with JIAOGULAN
Jiaogulan increases the immune system. By increasing the immune system jiaogulan might decrease the effectiveness of medications that decrease the immune system.
Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others. - Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with JIAOGULAN
Jiaogulan might slow blood clotting. Taking jiaogulan along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
JIAOGULAN Dosing
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
- For high cholesterol: jiaogulan extract 10 mg three times daily.
