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Jiaogulan is on
record as dating back to the Ming Dynasty and
although it is found throughout Asia, historically
it is found mainly as part of Chinese history.
There are many
famous Chinese herbs but Jiaogulan, which has been
used as an energizing agent, has been taken as a tea
before work to increase endurance and strength, and
after work to relieve fatigue.
About
In the 1970s a
Japanese researcher, looking for a sugar
alternative, studied a perennial weed known for its
sweetness. Japanese scientists then began
discovering jiaogulan's illness-prevention and
therapeutic qualities.
Jiaogulan
(pronounced jee-ow-goo-lahn) is similar to
ginseng in chemical composition and function. It is
also known as Xiancao, "Immortality" Herb, because
it grows wild and has many health-giving qualities
and anti-aging effects. It is an antioxidant herb,
containing many health-giving saponins (chemical
compounds having a soapy characteristic), as well as
trace minerals, amino acids, proteins, and vitamins.
More saponins may provide a more powerful regulatory
effect on blood pressure, the
reproductive system, the digestive system, the
immune system, mental functions and more.
Health
Benefits
It
taken for general health and has been recognized as
a rejuvenating elixir.
- Cholesterol, Blood Pressure
and Digestion.
- Immunity
adaptogenic
properties. Also used for
Strength and Endurance
- Antioxidant Properties Gypenosides-The Active
Ingredients
Cholesterol
Confirmed by scientific studies, it
decreases cholesterol. It improves the liver's
ability to send sugar and carbohydrates to the
muscles for conversion to energy instead of
turning the sugar into triglycerides which the
body stores as fat. It improves fat metabolism,
reduces blood fat levels and helps depresses
lipid peroxide and fat sediment in the blood
vessels.
Blood Pressure
Jiaogulan has been widely reported to be
effective in maintaining healthy blood pressure
levels. A study by the Guiyang Medical College
showed an improvement in cardiac contraction and
stroke volume, thus increasing cardiac output
(blood flow) into the blood vessels, without
raising blood pressure or heart rate.
Digestion
While jiaogulan is great for regulating
cholesterol, it can be of assistsance in good
weight loss programs. It improves and
strengthens digestion and at the same time,
helps an underweight person with more effective
absorption of nutrients. This regulatory effect
on bodily functions is the very typical of an
Adaptogen.
Strength and Endurance
The results of human studies confirm that jiaogulan
can enhance the contractility of the heart muscle
and heart pumping function. Other studies have shown
that the saponins in jiaogulan increase strength and
endurance in the body. Considering these findings
overall, jiaogulan becomes the perfect herb for
anyone who wants to improve his competitive edge in
any field of athletic performance. 5
Immunity
Jiaogulan has also demonstrated an ability to
support the immune system when under the siege of
various destructive agents.6,7 Jiaogulan has also
shown its effectiveness, in clinical research
studies, as a potent immunomodulator. It increases
the production of Lymphocytes, Phagocytes, and Serum
IGG.8
Adaptogenic Properties
Jiaogulan has a biphasic effect on brain functions,
energizing or calming the system depending upon
need, as well as on the regulation of hormonal
functions in both men and women. The healthy
maintenance of these physiological actions plays a
major role in the body's ability to cope with
stress.9,10
Antioxidant Properties
The results of many scientific studies show that
jiaogulan's powerful antioxidant quality protects
against free radical damage. 11,12
Gypenosides-The Active Ingredients
Jiaogulan contains a large quantity of saponins
known as gypenosides. The structure of the
gypenosides is very similar to the panaxosides (also
known as ginsenosides) found in ginseng. There are
3-4 times as many saponins in jiaogulan as there are
in ginseng. Some of those saponins are identical to
the panaxosides in ginseng and some of them turn
into panaxosides when taken into the body. This
greater number of gypenosides may account for a more
powerful regulatory effect on a number of body
systems, like blood pressure, the reproductive
system, the digestive system, the immune system,
mental functions, and more
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