JIAOGULAN

OTHER NAME(S):

Adaptogen, Adaptogène, Amachazuru, Dungkulcha, Fairy Herb, Ginseng du Sud, Gynostemma, Gynostemma pedatum, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Herbe de l'Immortalité, Immortality Herb, Jiao Chu Lan, Jiao Gu Lan, Miracle Grass, Penta Tea, Plante de l'Immortalité, Southern Ginseng, Thé de l'Immortalité, Vitis pentaphylla, Xian Cao, Xianxao.<br/><br/>

Overview

Overview Information

Jiaogulan is a plant that grows wild in parts of Asia. The leaf is used to make medicine. Jiaogulan is sometimes referred to as "Southern Ginseng" because it grows primarily in south central China and is used in similar ways as ginseng.

People use jiaogulan for high cholesterol, diabetes, liver disease, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence supporting most of these uses.

How does it work?

Jiaogulan contains substances that might help reduce cholesterol levels.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Possibly Effective for

  • High cholesterol. There is some evidence that taking jiaogulan can decrease total cholesterol and increase the "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/total cholesterol ratio in people with high cholesterol levels.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Diabetes. Early research shows that drinking jiaogulan tea twice daily for 4 weeks reduces fasting blood sugar levels and improves how sensitive the body is to the effects of insulin in people with diabetes.
  • Liver disease (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). Early research shows that taking jiaogulan by mouth three times daily for 4 months does not improve liver function, body mass index, cholesterol levels, kidney function, or blood sugar in people with a type of liver disease called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
  • Obesity. Early research shows that taking jiaogulan twice daily by mouth for 12 weeks slightly decreases body weight in people who are obese.
  • Backache.
  • Bronchitis.
  • Cancer.
  • Constipation.
  • Gallstones.
  • Improving heart function.
  • Improving memory.
  • Pain.
  • Regulating blood pressure.
  • Stomach disorders.
  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
  • Ulcers.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of jiaogulan for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

Jiaogulan is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth short-term (up to 4 months). In some people, it may cause side effects such as severe nausea and increased bowel movements.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Jiaogulan is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth during 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.

"Auto-immune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Jiaogulan might cause the immune system to become more active. This could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have an auto-immune condition, it's best to avoid using jiaogulan until more is known.

Bleeding disorders: Jiaogulan may slow blood clotting. There is a concern that it might make bleeding disorders worse.

Diabetes: Jiaogulan might cause blood sugar to become too low if taken by people with diabetes who are controlling their blood sugar with insulin or medications. Use with caution if you have diabetes.

Surgery: Jiaogulan might 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.

Interactions

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.<br><nb>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.<br /><br /> 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.

Dosing

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

  • For high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia): 10 mg of jiaogulan extract has been taken three times daily.

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View References

REFERENCES:

  • Chen, J. C., Chung, J. G., and Chen, L. D. Gypenoside induces apoptosis in human Hep3B and HA22T tumour cells. Cytobios 1999;100(393):37-48. View abstract.
  • Chen, J. C., Lu, K. W., Lee, J. H., Yeh, C. C., and Chung, J. G. Gypenosides induced apoptosis in human colon cancer cells through the mitochondria-dependent pathways and activation of caspase-3. Anticancer Res 2006;26(6B):4313-4326. View abstract.
  • Chou, S. C., Chen, K. W., Hwang, J. S., Lu, W. T., Chu, Y. Y., Lin, J. D., Chang, H. J., and See, L. C. The add-on effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Altern Ther Health Med 2006;12(3):34-39. View abstract.
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  • Huang, T. H., Razmovski-Naumovski, V., Salam, N. K., Duke, R. K., Tran, V. H., Duke, C. C., and Roufogalis, B. D. A novel LXR-alpha activator identified from the natural product Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Biochem Pharmacol 11-1-2005;70(9):1298-1308. View abstract.
  • Liu, X., Ye, W., Mo, Z., Yu, B., Wu, H., Zhao, S., Che, C., and Hsiao, W. L. Three dammarane-type saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Planta Med 2005;71(9):880-884. View abstract.
  • Takagi, J., Imada, T., Kikuchi, T., Saito, Y., and Inada, Y. A new platelet aggregation factor from Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino. Chem.Pharm.Bull.(Tokyo) 1985;33(12):5568-5571. View abstract.
  • Wang, Q. F., Chen, J. C., Hsieh, S. J., Cheng, C. C., and Hsu, S. L. Regulation of Bcl-2 family molecules and activation of caspase cascade involved in gypenosides-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma cells. Cancer Lett 9-26-2002;183(2):169-178. View abstract.
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  • Huyen VT, Phan DV, Thang P, Hoa NK, Ostenson CG. Gynostemma pentaphyllum Tea Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Type 2 Diabetic Patients. J Nutr Metab. 2013;2013:765383. doi: 10.1155/2013/765383. View abstract.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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