Jiaogulan: Uses, Side Effects, & More

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is a climbing vine found in China and other parts of Asia. The plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). 

Jiaogulan, also known as fairy herb and southern ginseng, is sold as a supplement that’s claimed to have benefits for diabetes, high cholesterol, and anxiety. The plant’s saponins (organic chemicals) are thought to be responsible for some of its effects.

This article looks at some of Jiaogulan’s possible health benefits and side effects. It also goes over where to buy the supplement and how to take it. 

Uses of Jiaogulan 

Much of the research evidence supporting jiaogulan is limited to lab studies in mice and other animals. Small clinical trials and most human research on using jiaogulan has been on diabetes, obesity, and stress.

While jiaogulan has shown potential for helping with some health conditions, more human research and more extensive trials are needed before it can be recommended for these uses.

• Stress: Jiaogulan is one of many medicinal herbs thought to relieve stress. A study in South Korea looked at 72 people with a history of chronic stress and anxiety. Half were given an extract from jiaogulan leaves and the other half got a placebo. The participants continued taking the supplement for eight weeks and were assessed for stress. The researchers found lower self-reported stress levels in the jiaogulan group but no differences in the levels of stress hormones like norepinephrine and cortisol between people taking jiaogulan and those taking a placebo.
• Diabetes: In one small study, 16 people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were given either 6 grams per day of jiaogulan tea or green tea for four weeks. The jiaogulan was found to improve the body's response to insulin. In another small study, 25 people with type 2 diabetes were given a blood sugar–lowering medicine for four weeks and then randomly assigned to take either 6 grams (g) a day of jiaogulan tea or a green tea placebo for eight additional weeks. The group that used the jiaogulan tea in addition to the standard diabetes medication achieved better blood sugar control, demonstrated by decreased hemoglobin A1C and fasting plasma glucose levels.
• Obesity: Jiaogulan may affect body composition. In one study, researchers gave either 450 milligrams (mg) of a commercial jiaogulan extract called ActivAMP or a placebo treatment daily to 117 people assigned male or female at birth who were overweight. At the end of 16 weeks, the jiaogulan group showed a significant reduction in the oft-controversial body mass index (BMI), and total fat mass and total body weight, compared to the placebo group.

With obesity, the research suggests some differences between people assigned male or female at birth. People assigned male at birth who took jiaogulan had significant decreases in visceral fat (around internal organs) while people assigned female at birth had reductions in gynoid fat (around the hips, thighs, and breasts). The researchers said that the study supported earlier research that had similar findings.

Additional Uses

In addition to the potential health benefits listed above, preliminary studies in a test tube or animal models have looked at jiaogulan for the following conditions:

• Cancer
• High cholesterol
• Alzheimer's disease
• Vascular dementia
• Parkinson's disease
• Liver injury
• Aging
• Exercise endurance

However, Jiaogulan is not recommended for these purposes because there is not enough research in humans to show that it’s safe or effective for these conditions.

What Are the Side Effects of Jiaogulan?

Your healthcare provider may recommend trying jiaogulan if you have diabetes, anxiety, or another condition. However, consuming an herb like jiaogulan may have side effects that can be mild or severe.

Common Side Effects

Jiaogulan is generally thought of as safe, but it can cause the following side effects:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Tinnitus (a ringing or other sounds in the ear)

Severe Side Effects

While there are no reports of severe side effects from jiaogulan, it’s not known if they are possible because there has not been enough research in humans.

Precautions

Keep these precautions in mind if you plan to try taking jiaogulan:

• Severe allergic reaction: Do not use jiaogulan if you have a known allergy to it or its ingredients. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for a complete list of the ingredients if you're unsure.
• Chronic medical conditions: You should always ask your provider before taking a supplement like jiaogulan if you have a chronic health condition—for example, an autoimmune disease like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Herbs and supplements may affect your disease (e.g., could trigger a flare-up of symptoms) or the medications or other treatments you use to manage it. 
• Blood clotting problems: Ask your provider about using jiaogulan if you have any problems with blood clotting or bleeding.
• Diabetes: If you are taking insulin or other drugs to regulate your blood sugar, you need to be careful about jiaogulan because it can lead to low blood sugar levels.
• Surgery: You may need to avoid taking certain supplements, OTC, and prescription medications before you have surgery. Ask your provider if you are not sure what you can continue to take leading up to your surgery.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is no evidence of the safety of using jiaogulan during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. It should not be used by people planning to become pregnant as one of its components, ginsenoside, has been found to cause fetal abnormalities in rats.

Dosage: How Much Jiaogulan Should I Take?

Jiaogulan has been studied at doses of 450 mg daily for up to 16 weeks for obesity. Studies on jiaogulan for chronic stress used 400 mg daily for eight weeks. In clinical trials, the daily dose was typically divided into morning and evening doses.

What Happens if I Take Too Much Jiaogulan?

Toxicity from jiaogulan has not been reported in clinical trials. In one human study, doses of up to 800 mg a day for two months appeared to be safe.

However, since there is not enough research on humans to know for sure how much is too much to take, you should watch yourself for side effects and follow the directions your provider has given you. 

Interactions

Components in jiaogulan called gypenosides have been shown to inhibit an enzyme in the liver known as cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6).

CYP2D6 is responsible for breaking down (metabolizing) some medications. Taking jiaogulan may cause medicines broken down by CYP2D6 enzymes to build up in the body. If they build up too much, it can lead to toxicity.

Examples of these medications include:

• Blood clotting medications (e.g., warfarin)
• Medications that suppress the immune system (e.g., steroids)
• Pamelor (nortriptyline)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Haldol (haloperidol)
• Risperdal (risperidone)
• Tambocor (flecainide)
• Rythmol (propafenone)
• Opioids

If you take any of these prescription medications, ask your healthcare provider before you start using jiaogulan. 

Diabetes Treatment

Jiaogulan may lower blood sugar. If you use insulin and other diabetes medicines to control your blood sugar, you need to be very careful about using the herb. If you take it with your diabetes medications, it could make your blood sugar go too low (hypoglycemia).

Medications commonly used to control blood sugar if you have diabetes include: 

• Glucophage (metformin)
• Actos (pioglitazone)
• Glucotrol (glipizide)
• Januvia (sitagliptin)

It is essential to carefully read a supplement's ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to learn which ingredients are in the product and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

How to Store Jiaogulan

Store jiaogulan in a cool, dark, and dry place in your home. Keep away from children and animals. Discard after one year or as directed by the manufacturer.

Similar Supplements

Other herbal products sometimes used for diabetes or its complications include:

• Panax ginseng
• Astragalus membranaceus
• Momordica charantia (bitter melon)
• Ganoderma lucidum

Some other supplements that could play a role in lowering the body's stress response include:

• Ashwagandha
• Saint-John's-wort
• Cannabidiol (CBD)
• Curcumin
• Black cohosh
• Green tea
• American ginseng
• Ginkgo biloba
• Holy basil

Other herbal supplements traditionally used for their anti-aging effects include:

• Ginseng
• Radix Astragali
• Ganoderma lucidum
• Ginkgo biloba
  

Summary

Jiaogulan has historically been used medicinally for a range of health conditions. While some human research has looked at using the herb for diabetes, obesity, and stress, the studies have been limited. 

The herb is considered generally safe to use, but some people may need to be careful taking it or not take it at all.

Always ask your provider before starting any supplement, especially if you have a chronic health condition or are taking other medications or OTC products.