Whatever your station in life, whether it be a corporate warrior or stay at home parent, most of us can benefit from anti-stress modalities.  Within this realm of thinking, one of the oldest and time tested are the adaptogenic herbs of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Adaptogenic herbs are herbs that have been observed as having a balancing effect on the body.  In conventional Oriental thinking, when the body is in balance we are healthy and when the body is out of balance sickness sets in.  When we are repeatedly in stressful situations such as deadlines at work, managing finances, or shuffling children off to activities this creates a scenario where stress hormones run amuck.

Adaptogenic herbs come in many forms, with the most common being bulk herbs, liquid extracts, pills, and teas.  While each of these has a place, teas are an easy and convenient way to consume these types of herbs.  One such herbal remedy is Jiaogulan herbal tea also known as Gynostemma.  So renowned and revered in China, Jiaogulan has been nicknamed the “Herb of Immortality.” Another nickname which sheds some light on this miraculous plants adaptogenic nature is “Southern Ginseng.” Why is this an interesting alias?  Because Ginseng is possibly the single most revered herb in China and its adaptagenic nature and anti-stress qualities have been thouroghly studied and documented.  Ginseng literally translates to something like “manlike cure-all.” Consequently, Ginseng has a nick name of its own: “King of Herbs.” So for Jiagulon to have garnered a reputation worthy of being called “Southern Ginseng” is a pretty big deal.  In fact, Jiaogulan’s special plant compounds called saponins are similar to Ginseng’s are more abundant and more varied in number.  Reportedly, 82 saponins versus 28 for Ginseng.

So how does it exactly help to cope with stress?

Well, stressful situations cause stress hormones to be produced and circulated. This usually causes tension (sometimes unbeknownst to the victim) and over excites the nervous system causing more tension. This creates a viscous cycle of the production of more stress hormones.  Sound familiar?  Jiaogulon helps combat this from a few different angles.  Firstly, Jiaogulan has a calmative effect on the nervous system.  This helps to stop the overproduction of adrenalne.  Secondly, the antioxidant properties of Jiaogulon herbal tea help negate the borage of free radicals that ensue from stress.  Thirdly, Jiaogulan is beneficial for nueroendicrine function – a critical function in the self regulation of the body.  In this last respect, Jiaogulan helps you help yourself.  This would be a good time to note that this helps to manage stress, consequently helps people sleep, when sleep is efected by stress.  Lastly, the herb has
cardiovascular enhancing properties which helps nourish
the organs and generally helps things calm down.

Jiaogulon is very safe and can be consumed on a regular basis.  As always, you should make certain there are no counterindications if you are taking prescription medication.  Also, in order to keep this post light I excluded citations to research papers.  That said, this amazing plant has been the subject of over 300 studies over the course of more than 30 years.   We plan to cover many of the other benefits of this herbal tea in the future.  We at Tea Vue are believers in this miraculus plant.  In fact, we drink a pot a day!  So if you are stressed and in need of a reprieve consider trying Jiaogulan.  Let us know what you think.  Cheers!