Jiaogulan is an adaptogen herb, a tonic herb, that has the overall effect of strengthening the whole body!
Learn about Jiaogulan, an adaptogen that benefits your whole body and how to grow and brew the tea.
Jiaogulan tea is a daily tonic that supports your health! Jiaogulan is an adaptogen herb, a tonic herb, that has the overall effect of helping the whole body work more effectively, strengthening the body's systems and organs.
I would suggest taking the capsules as well to speed up recovery from your illness. Jisogulan Tea is often used to promote energy, endurance, and mental clarity. Contains gypenosides, compounds similar to those in ginseng, which reduce oxidative stress. Traditionally used to support healthy blood pressure and heart function
How to grow Jiaogulan, the Immortality Plant
Jiagoulan, the Immortality plant, is not winter hardy. You need to bring it in during the winter and place it by a sunny window. In mild climates like Southern California or Florida, it should be fine in a protected area.
It makes a great house vine plant, but needs something to climb on, or just let it spill over the sides. Keep it moist. It needs dappled sunlight, not full sun.
Jiaogulan, (Gynostemma pentaphyllum), is one of the easiest adaptogen herbs to grow and use once you have some plants growing. It is a climbing vine that can be grown on your porch in states with mild winters.
It is a member of the cucumber family. You can grow it in any area, as long as you bring it inside if you receive freezing temperatures. The picture below is my Jiaogulan plant grown in my house. You can see it is pretty happy in this spot. I have it under grow lights.
This vine can be grown in a large hanging basket in dappled sunlight or indoors with good light.
You can also grow it in the ground, in kiddie pools, or in tubs near a tree or wall so that it has something to climb on. It is a pretty plant that is also great for health.
Jiaogulan, the immortality plant, was grown at my house in TN when we owned a backyard nursery and farm. It loved our basement with all the light.
How do you process Jiaogulan leaves for tea?
Wait until the plants grow some and their vines are at least two feet long, and then cut the vines off. Don’t strip all the leaves off the plants, or they may stop growing well. It is best to have 5 to 10 plants growing to ensure enough tea every day. So not spray them with commercial bug sprays!
Check for bugs and contamination!
The first step is to check your newly picked leaves for bugs, dirt, or disease. You can either dry them first or use them fresh in tea.
Heat the water until it's just about to boil.
You want to use the Jiaogulan leaves as an infusion: bring the water to almost boiling, take it off the burner, add the cut vine parts or dried tea leaves, then steep for about 15 minutes. It is a very nice tea that is easy on the taste buds.
Brew
If it tastes bitter, you brewed it too long.
Use Leaves Twice
You can use the Jiaogulan leaves as least twice again, perhaps brewing it longer the second or third time. Keep the used tea leaves in a small bowl in the refrigerator.
If you are making one mug, use a heaping tsp of the dried leaves and three tsps of the fresh.
How much of the fresh plant do I use?
I make it in a saucepan with about a tablespoon of dried and three tablespoons of the fresh vine. I buy the dried because, at this point, I don’t have enough for tea all the time. You can also buy it in capsules as well.
Combine Jiaogulan with other tea herbs.
You can combine Jiaogulan tea with other teas as well. You could combine it with green tea, hibiscus tea, peppermint, or any favorite tea you have on hand. It tastes fine by itself.
This is a tea that you drink every day and contains NO caffeine. It is not a stimulant tea, but gently uplifts your energy and vitality.
Links for further education are below: none are ads
Jiaogulan: Benefits, Side Effects, and Preparations (verywellhealth.com)
Gynostemma: Benefits, Uses and Side Effects of Jiaogulan - Dr. Axe
Read my published articles at alternativemedicine-womenshealth-articles.com