Jiaogulan is called the "immortality herb" in southern China, where it was noted that regions with high jiaogulan tea consumption had unusual longevity. It contains over 100 dammarane-type saponins (gypenosides), many structurally identical to ginsenosides in Panax ginseng. Our research shows emerging evidence for AMPK activation, blood sugar reduction, and lipid management. A 2010 RCT found 6g/day tea reduced fasting glucose by 5.3 mmol/L in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics — a dramatic effect. However, the evidence base is thin (mostly small Chinese studies) and the gypenoside profile varies enormously between products.
Gypenosides activate AMPK — the master metabolic sensor that responds to low cellular energy. AMPK activation: (1) increases glucose uptake in muscle cells (independent of insulin); (2) inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis (reduces liver glucose output); (3) stimulates fatty acid oxidation; (4) inhibits lipogenesis. This is pharmacologically similar to metformin's mechanism, which is why the blood sugar reduction is significant. Additional mechanisms include NO-mediated vasodilation, SOD upregulation (antioxidant), and NF-κB suppression (anti-inflammatory).
Reviewed by the Scan Dose Research Team and Clinical Advisory Board | Last updated:
Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.