Jiaogulan
OTHER NAME(S): Gynostemma pentaphyllum, jiaogulan
Overview
Jiaogulan is a type of vine called Gynostemma pentaphyllum. The leaves that grow on the vine are eaten and also made into teas and dietary supplements. Although jiaogulan may be used for various health purposes, its benefits are not well defined. Common side effects may include diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, or an upset stomach. Before taking jiaogulan, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.
Uses
What is jiaogulan used for?
Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is used for various reasons, although its benefits for any use are not well defined. Some common reasons why people use jiaogulan include the following.
- High cholesterol
- Weight loss
- To help manage stress and mild anxiety
- To improve the health and appearance of hair
Note: The FDA has not reviewed jiaogulan for safety and effectiveness, and it is not approved by the FDA. Learn more about dietary supplements here.
How does jiaogulan work (mechanism of action)?
Jiaogulan is a type of vine called Gynostemma pentaphyllum that is native to many parts of Asia. The leaves from the vine are used to make food, tea, and dietary supplements.
Some of the chemicals in jiaogulan, including gypenosides, are thought to have various effects in the body, but it is unclear if or how these chemicals might work for any health purpose. The benefits of jiaogulan for any use are not well defined.
Herbal products, like jiaogulan, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific jiaogulan product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.
How should I store jiaogulan?
You should store jiaogulan according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of jiaogulan?
Jiaogulan generally seems to be well tolerated, but the most common possible side effects are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
There may be other side effects of jiaogulan that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of jiaogulan?
While less common, the most serious side effects of jiaogulan are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Jiaogulan may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking jiaogulan and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Precautions
Who should not use jiaogulan?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take jiaogulan.
- Gynostemma pentaphyllum
- Jiaogulan
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific jiaogulan products they stock.
What should I know about jiaogulan before using it?
Jiaogulan is available as a tea and dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.
Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.
Keep jiaogulan out of the reach of children.
Herbal products, such as jiaogulan, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific jiaogulan product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way that the plant was processed after it was harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.
Jiaogulan is available in many different forms, including as a tea, dried ground powder, capsule, and more. Each of these forms may contain different amounts of the chemicals naturally found in the leaves.
The FDA has not tested jiaogulan products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.
What should I tell my health care provider before using jiaogulan?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if jiaogulan is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how jiaogulan could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if jiaogulan passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does jiaogulan interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between jiaogulan and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect jiaogulan.
Does jiaogulan interact with medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
The interactions between jiaogulan and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, research on drug interactions with jiaogulan is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking jiaogulan with any medicines.
Dosing
What should I do if I accidentally use too much jiaogulan?
If you or someone else has used too much jiaogulan, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to take jiaogulan safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.
References
- Food Science & Nutrition: “Prebiotic properties of jiaogulan in the context of gut microbiome.”
- Frontiers in Pharmacology: “Gynostemma pentaphyllum for dyslipidemia: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.”
- Nutrients: “Gynostemma pentaphyllum increases exercise performance and alters mitochondrial respiration and AMPK in healthy males.”
- Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics: “The effect of an orally-dosed Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract (ActivAMP®) on body composition in overweight, adult men and women: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study.”
- Nutrients: “Therapeutic potential of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract for hair health enhancement: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.”
- Obesity: “Antiobesity effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract (actiponin): a randomized, double‐blind, placebo-controlled trial.”
- Phytomedicine: “Supplementation with extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum leaves reduces anxiety in healthy subjects with chronic psychological stress: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.”