Origin & tradition
Jiaogulan (绞股蓝) is traditionally drunk as a longevity tea in parts of southern China, associated with vitality in older populations.
Eastern tradition · Adaptogen Herb
Gynostemma (Jiaogulan) 绞股蓝
“Southern ginseng,” a Chinese herb whose gypenosides activate AMPK — the metabolic longevity pathway.
13ClinicalTrials.gov matched
10PubMed RCT records
5Meta-analysis records
11+PubMed records
GypenosidesKey active compound
Data definition. Matched records include all indexed medical endpoints for this intervention — not only longevity. Longevity-relevant records are screened separately and cited in the evidence summary below. Counts are matched-record volumes, not de-duplicated trials and not efficacy claims.
Why longevity buyers care
Key active: Gypenosides (botanical extract).
Gypenosides are direct AMPK activators (the same energy-sensing pathway as metformin and berberine), studied for metabolic and lipid endpoints.
Effect summary
Studied health outcomes
Editorial summary — This table is curated by hand from published research consensus, not automatically calculated from our trial database. Grades reflect our interpretation of the literature. Treat as a starting point, not a definitive verdict. See the Evidence panel below for the underlying trial and paper counts sourced directly from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed.
| Health outcome | Effect | Magnitude | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total and LDL cholesterol | Decreases | Moderate | B |
| Fasting blood glucose | Decreases | Moderate | B |
| Antioxidant markers | Increases | Minor | C |
| Fatigue / stress (adaptogenic) | Decreases | Minor | C |
Grade: A = robust RCTs · B = several RCTs / meta-analysis · C = limited or mixed RCTs · D = observational or early data
Dosage guidance
How Gynostemma (Jiaogulan) is typically used
- Typical dose
- 450–900 mg/day extract or 3–6 g dried herb (as tea)
- Form
- capsule or loose-leaf tea (jiaogulan)
- Timing
- any time; traditional use is as daily tea
Jiaogulan tea is a traditional longevity drink from Guizhou, China. Gypenosides are the active compounds. Affordable and pleasant-tasting — reasonable as a daily tea substitute.
Informational only — not a prescription or personalised medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement or medication.
Evidence summary
What the research actually says
70Evidence confidence
Human RCT evidence10 randomized controlled trials · 5 meta-analyses / systematic reviews
Human metabolic RCTs (small); AMPK mechanism
Gypenosides are direct AMPK activators (the same energy-sensing pathway as metformin and berberine), studied for metabolic and lipid endpoints.
13registered clinical trials reference this intervention
3selected from 11+ PubMed papers (longevity / aging angle)
Key active: Gypenosides (botanical extract) — a multi-compound botanical extract, so activity is not reducible to a single molecule.
According to PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov: trial counts from ClinicalTrials.gov, peer-reviewed literature from PubMed. Counts auto-refresh weekly; last checked 2026-07-19. They include trials across many endpoints, not only longevity.
Informational only — not medical advice, a treatment claim, or a substitute for a qualified clinician. Evidence strength varies; we show mixed and null results on purpose.
Evidence collections
Gynostemma (Jiaogulan) appears in
Compare the evidence
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