Jiaogulan Plant 20-40 cm (Gynostemma pentaphyllum)
Jiaogulan: current height 20-40 cm
Common names: Jiaogulan, Gynnostemma, Sweet Tea Vine, Southern Ginseng, Miracle Plant, Amachazuru
Scientific name: Gynostemma pentaphyllum
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Plant history & use:
Jiaogulan, also called "the herb of immortality," is one of the lesser-known traditional Chinese herbs. For centuries it was used almost exclusively by the people in a mountainous region in southern China where the herb grows wild.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as we know it today originated in the central part of the country, far from this region. For this reason, Jiaogulan is not included in the standardized listings of medicines in TCM and is therefore not used as widely as other Chinese medicinal herbs.
In the 1970s, China conducted a thorough census. It was then discovered that the inhabitants of certain regions, mainly Guizhou province, lived longer than average—often more than 100 years. It turned out that the oldest residents had regularly drunk Jiaogulan tea throughout their lives. Partly from this event comes the nickname "the herb of immortality," but also from numerous scientific studies conducted on the mysterious herb.
Modern recognition of Jiaogulan outside China stems from research into sugar substitutes. When examining the sweetening substance in Jiaogulan, saponins were found that are identical to the saponins found in Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng). Further research discovered several additional saponins which were comparable or identical to those found in P. ginseng. The saponins in P. ginseng are called ginsenosides while those found in Jiaogulan are called gypenosides. Compared to Korean Ginseng, Jiaogulan has the advantage of being much easier to cultivate and is ready for harvest much earlier.
Today Jiaogulan is well used in China and is widely consumed by those interested in its reputed rejuvenating properties.
The leaves taste sweet and are used to make tea. They can also be cooked—for example, in a wok.
The herb is today used in the treatment of diabetes and a range of other ailments. There is much to read about this herb for the interested.
Cultivation:
Jiaogulan naturally has a widespread range: it stretches all the way from China to Korea and Japan, down to Southeast Asia and even to New Guinea. It is a plant that thrives in a variety of climates. It is a climbing plant that can reach up to 8 meters high. You can either grow it against something it can twine around, or let it creep along low-growing bushes on the ground.
Jiaogulan should be able to grow in most of Sweden’s zones 1-2, roughly tolerating temperatures down to -10°C. It prefers to grow in a humus-rich, well-drained but moisture-retaining soil (typical humus character)—potting soil works well. Place it in a sunny spot.
Plant in a pot and overwinter in a greenhouse the first year to give the plant somewhat milder conditions. You can also overwinter it in a storage room, cellar, etc., if there is enough light. If the plant survives the first year with protected overwintering, you can try planting it out in the ground the next spring to give it a chance to overwinter without protection the coming winter. You can always set up wind protection made of fleece and stakes around the plant and cover the base with straw to create milder conditions when growing directly outdoors.
Alternatively, move the plant indoors during winter and place it outside during the summer months. If your plant has grown well after the summer, prune and make tea from the leaves to adapt it to its new indoor growing space. With this method, it is possible to grow Jiaogulan throughout Sweden.
Suitable to grow as ground cover in favorable climates.
Characteristics:
Lifespan: Perennial
Growing position: sun
Height: up to 8 meters
Growing zone: 1-2
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Jiaogulan Plant 20-40 cm (Gynostemma pentaphyllum)
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Jiaogulan: current height 20-40 cm
Common names: Jiaogulan, Gynnostemma, Sweet Tea Vine, Southern Ginseng, Miracle Plant, Amachazuru
Scientific name: Gynostemma pentaphyllum
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Plant history & use:
Jiaogulan, also called "the herb of immortality," is one of the lesser-known traditional Chinese herbs. For centuries it was used almost exclusively by the people in a mountainous region in southern China where the herb grows wild.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as we know it today originated in the central part of the country, far from this region. For this reason, Jiaogulan is not included in the standardized listings of medicines in TCM and is therefore not used as widely as other Chinese medicinal herbs.
In the 1970s, China conducted a thorough census. It was then discovered that the inhabitants of certain regions, mainly Guizhou province, lived longer than average—often more than 100 years. It turned out that the oldest residents had regularly drunk Jiaogulan tea throughout their lives. Partly from this event comes the nickname "the herb of immortality," but also from numerous scientific studies conducted on the mysterious herb.
Modern recognition of Jiaogulan outside China stems from research into sugar substitutes. When examining the sweetening substance in Jiaogulan, saponins were found that are identical to the saponins found in Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng). Further research discovered several additional saponins which were comparable or identical to those found in P. ginseng. The saponins in P. ginseng are called ginsenosides while those found in Jiaogulan are called gypenosides. Compared to Korean Ginseng, Jiaogulan has the advantage of being much easier to cultivate and is ready for harvest much earlier.
Today Jiaogulan is well used in China and is widely consumed by those interested in its reputed rejuvenating properties.
The leaves taste sweet and are used to make tea. They can also be cooked—for example, in a wok.
The herb is today used in the treatment of diabetes and a range of other ailments. There is much to read about this herb for the interested.
Cultivation:
Jiaogulan naturally has a widespread range: it stretches all the way from China to Korea and Japan, down to Southeast Asia and even to New Guinea. It is a plant that thrives in a variety of climates. It is a climbing plant that can reach up to 8 meters high. You can either grow it against something it can twine around, or let it creep along low-growing bushes on the ground.
Jiaogulan should be able to grow in most of Sweden’s zones 1-2, roughly tolerating temperatures down to -10°C. It prefers to grow in a humus-rich, well-drained but moisture-retaining soil (typical humus character)—potting soil works well. Place it in a sunny spot.
Plant in a pot and overwinter in a greenhouse the first year to give the plant somewhat milder conditions. You can also overwinter it in a storage room, cellar, etc., if there is enough light. If the plant survives the first year with protected overwintering, you can try planting it out in the ground the next spring to give it a chance to overwinter without protection the coming winter. You can always set up wind protection made of fleece and stakes around the plant and cover the base with straw to create milder conditions when growing directly outdoors.
Alternatively, move the plant indoors during winter and place it outside during the summer months. If your plant has grown well after the summer, prune and make tea from the leaves to adapt it to its new indoor growing space. With this method, it is possible to grow Jiaogulan throughout Sweden.
Suitable to grow as ground cover in favorable climates.
Characteristics:
Lifespan: Perennial
Growing position: sun
Height: up to 8 meters
Growing zone: 1-2
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