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Jiaogulan

Gynostemma pentaphyllum · 绞股蓝

Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.

Also called Jiao gu lan, Southern ginseng, Immortality herb

Pinyin: Jiǎo Gǔ Lán

Can lower blood sugar

A climbing vine whose leaves are brewed as tea in southern China. It is sold as an adaptogen and has some small studies on blood sugar and cholesterol.

Did you know? Its saponins (plant compounds) are similar in structure to the ginsenosides in ginseng, which is why it is nicknamed southern ginseng.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Blood sugar. Some small trials in people with type 2 diabetes report lower blood sugar with jiaogulan extract. Trials are small and short.
Early proof
Cholesterol. Small trials report lower cholesterol in some people. Results are inconsistent.
Early proof
Energy & tiredness. Traditional tea for stamina, with lab and animal studies. Human proof is limited.
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Pancreas & blood sugar, Heart & vessels, Liver, Energy & metabolism

Traditional use

In Chinese folk medicine, jiao gu lan is brewed as tea to clear heat, ease coughs and support stamina. Modern herbalists use it for tiredness and blood sugar, but it is rare in classic formulas.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Adaptogen, Antioxidant, Tonic. Energy: cooling.
Chinese medicine: 绞股蓝 Clear heat. Nature: cool. Flavour: bitter, sweet. Enters the Lung and Spleen channels.

How people take it

Usually brewed as tea, one to several cups a day. Capsules and extracts are common. Study doses vary, and no single standard dose exists.

Tea, capsule, tincture and powder.

Where to get it

Grows wild in southern China, Japan and Southeast Asia. Sold as dried leaf tea, capsules, extracts and powders. Quality varies, and some products mix in other herbs.

Be careful

Usually mild. Stomach upset, dizziness or sleep changes are possible. It may lower blood sugar and blood pressure. Its effect on bleeding is not well studied, so use care with blood thinners.

Avoid if: pregnancy; low blood pressure; diabetes medicines.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Both are called ginseng-like herbs in tradition, and both contain ginseng-type saponins, so they are often compared in studies.
Use caution
Diabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
May lower blood sugar. Combined with diabetes medicines, sugar may drop too low.
Worth knowing
Blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)
Its effect on bleeding is not well studied. Use care with warfarin or aspirin.

Adds up with others that may lower blood sugar: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 39 more.

The honest take

Jiaogulan is a traditional tea with some small studies on blood sugar and cholesterol. Most studies are small and short, and some evidence comes from lab work alone. It is not proven to help blood sugar, and it should not replace diabetes care.