Gynostemma pentaphyllum Seeds | Jiaogulan

Categories：(Root/ Flower /Fruit/ Leaf /Medicinal Animal)

Jiaogulan seeds (Gynostemma pentaphyllum)

LATIN NAME: Gynostemma pentaphyllum

COMMON NAME: Jiaogulan

Plant Profile

Gynostemma pentaphyllum, commonly known as Jiaogulan, is a hardy, perennial in the gourd family. Jiaogulan climbs fine, tendrilled stems over trellis, palmate leaves spreading along them, and the whole plant carries the fresh, green look of the sheltered garden corner. It is a plant of shaded, deep, rich, moist, well-drained ground. Put simply, this is a rewarding species for anyone willing to give it a suitable spot.

Science & Biotechnology

Jiaogulan is sometimes called ‘southern ginseng’ because its dammarane saponins, the gypenosides — more than 300 characterised to date — overlap structurally with true ginsenosides, though the plants are unrelated cucurbits and ginsengs. Gypenosides activate AMPK in metabolic models, and two small clinical trials using 6 g per day of jiaogulan tea reported improved insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes; an anti-obesity trial used 225 mg of extract twice daily. Human evidence is limited and conflicting on lipids. The vine is easily grown as a herbaceous perennial, and the fresh leaves make a genuinely pleasant caffeine-free tea.

The species features in the wider study of the gourd family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. In the laboratory and trial ground alike, it serves as workable material for propagation research and line selection.

Uses & Benefits

Beyond its ornamental appeal, Jiaogulan has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. Jiaogulan is a fresh, useful plant of sheltered garden corner and study collection. It is a fresh, useful plant of shaded, deep, rich, moist, well-drained garden. Jiaogulan seeds grow readily in a light, leafy soil kept shaded and moist. Establishment is uncomplicated, and afterwards ordinary care suffices.

Jiaogulan is called southern ginseng for good reason: its leaves are rich in gypenosides, compounds closely related to ginseng’s ginsenosides, studied for metabolic and adaptogenic effects. The vine makes a pleasant, naturally sweet daily tea.

Growing from Seed

Starting Jiaogulan from seed is simple and satisfying. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in bright light. Pot the young plants on as they grow, harden them off gradually, and plant them into their final positions when sturdy.

Our Take

Given the right start, Jiaogulan is a long-term garden companion. Its wants are few — a sunny spot, soil that drains, and time to settle in.

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) - picture 2

(Root/ Flower /Fruit/ Leaf /Medicinal Animal)