Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsStorageSimilar SupplementsFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
Storage
Similar Supplements
FAQ
Jiaogulan(Gynostemma pentaphyllum), is sold as a supplement that’s reputed to fightdiabetes,high cholesterol, andanxiety.It’s an herb from a climbing vine found in Asia and is used intraditional Chinese medicine (TCM)to treat a variety of conditions.
Jiaogulan is also known as fairy herb and southern ginseng. The plant’ssaponins(organic chemicals) are thought to be responsible for some of its effects.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Uses of Jiaogulan
Much of the research evidence supporting jiaogulan is limited to lab studies in mice and other animals. Small clinical trials and most human research on using jiaogulan has been ondiabetes,obesity, andstress.
While jiaogulan has shown potential for helping with some health conditions, more human research and more extensive trials are needed before it can be recommended for these uses.
With obesity, the research suggests some differences between people assigned male or female at birth. People assigned male at birth who took jiaogulan had significant decreases invisceral fat(around internal organs) while people assigned female at birth had reductions in gynoid fat (around the hips, thighs, and breasts).The researchers said that the study supported earlier research that had similar findings.
BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such asbody composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age. Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.
Additional Uses
In addition to the potential health benefits listed above, preliminary studies in atest tube or animal modelshave looked at jiaogulan for the following conditions:
However, Jiaogulan is not recommended for these purposes because there is not enough research in humans to show that it’s safe or effective for these conditions.
What Are the Side Effects of Jiaogulan?
Your healthcare provider may recommend trying jiaogulan if you have diabetes, anxiety, or another condition. However, consuming an herb like jiaogulan may have side effects that can be mild or severe.
Common Side Effects
Jiaogulan is generally thought of as safe, but it can cause the following side effects:
Severe Side Effects
While there are no reports of severe side effects from jiaogulan, it’s not known if they are possible because there has not been enough research in humans.
Keep these precautions in mind if you plan to try taking jiaogulan:
Dosage: How Much Jiaogulan Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs and that it will not interact with other medications you take.
Jiaogulan has been studied at doses of 450 mg daily for up to 16 weeks for obesity.Studies on jiaogulan for chronic stress used 400 mg daily for eight weeks.In clinical trials, the daily dose was typically divided into morning and evening doses.
What Happens if I Take Too Much Jiaogulan?
Toxicity from jiaogulan has not been reported in clinical trials.In one human study, doses of up to 800 mg a day for two months appeared to be safe.
However, since there is not enough research on humans to know for sure how much is too much to take, you should watch yourself for side effects and follow the directions your provider has given you.
Components in jiaogulan called gypenosides have been shown to inhibit an enzyme in the liver known as cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6).
Examples of these medications include:
If you take any of these prescription medications, ask your healthcare provider before you start using jiaogulan.
Diabetes Treatment
Jiaogulan may lower blood sugar. If you use insulin and other diabetesmedicines to control your blood sugar, you need to be very careful about using the herb. If you take it with your diabetes medications, it could make your blood sugar go too low (hypoglycemia).
Medications commonly used to control blood sugar if you have diabetes include:
It is essential to carefully read a supplement’s ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to learn which ingredients are in the product and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store Jiaogulan
Other herbal products sometimes used for diabetes or its complications include:
Some other supplements that could play a role in lowering the body’s stress response include:
Other herbal supplements traditionally used for their anti-aging effects include:
Summary
Jiaogulan has historically been used medicinally for a range of health conditions. While some human research has looked at using the herb for diabetes, obesity, and stress, the studies have been limited.
The herb is considered generally safe to use, but some people may need to be careful taking it or not take it at all.
Always ask your provider before starting any supplement, especially if you have a chronic health condition or are taking other medications or OTC products.
Frequently Asked QuestionsResearch has shown that body composition changes with jiaogulan are modest. In a 16-week trial, people taking jiaogulan lost less than 2 pounds (1 kilogram).It’s not known if jiaogulan is safe for long-term use. Clinical trials have studied the effects of the herbal extract for up to four months.More research is needed to determine long-term safety.Ginseng is a generic name for plant species in the genusPanax. Some forms of ginseng that have been used medicinally includePanax quinquefolius(American ginseng),Panax ginseng(Chinese/Korean ginseng), andPanax japonicus(Japanese ginseng).Jiaogulan is not a true ginseng because it is not in thePanaxgenus but contains many of the same active components, called saponins, found in ginseng.
Frequently Asked Questions
Research has shown that body composition changes with jiaogulan are modest. In a 16-week trial, people taking jiaogulan lost less than 2 pounds (1 kilogram).
It’s not known if jiaogulan is safe for long-term use. Clinical trials have studied the effects of the herbal extract for up to four months.More research is needed to determine long-term safety.
Ginseng is a generic name for plant species in the genusPanax. Some forms of ginseng that have been used medicinally includePanax quinquefolius(American ginseng),Panax ginseng(Chinese/Korean ginseng), andPanax japonicus(Japanese ginseng).Jiaogulan is not a true ginseng because it is not in thePanaxgenus but contains many of the same active components, called saponins, found in ginseng.
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