What are the benefits and effects of Jiaogulan? A detailed guide in one article
Jiaogulan, also known as Qiyedan, Wuyeshen, Qiyeshen, Xiaokuyao and so on, is a herbaceous climbing plant of the genus Gynostemma in the Cucurbitaceae family. Jiaogulan grown in the south has a relatively high medicinal content, and folk tradition calls it the magical "herb of immortality and longevity". In the national "Spark Program" it was listed first among the "precious Chinese medicinal materials" awaiting development. Let us now take a look at the benefits and effects of Jiaogulan!
The medicinal effects of Jiaogulan
[Nature and flavor] Bitter in taste, slightly sweet, cool in nature.
[Meridian entry] Lung, spleen and kidney meridians.
[Effects] Replenishes qi and strengthens the spleen, resolves phlegm and relieves cough, clears heat and detoxifies. It mainly treats generalized weakness and fatigue, consumptive disease with loss of essence, leukopenia, hyperlipidemia, viral hepatitis, chronic gastroenteritis and chronic bronchitis.
The dietary therapeutic effects of Jiaogulan
1. Replenishing qi and strengthening the spleen: Jiaogulan is sweet in taste and enters the spleen meridian. It can replenish qi and strengthen the spleen, and treat conditions such as spleen-stomach qi deficiency, physical fatigue and weakness, and poor appetite.
2. Resolving phlegm and relieving cough: Jiaogulan enters the lung meridian. It can boost lung qi and clear lung heat, and also has the effect of resolving phlegm and relieving cough. It is suitable for treating dual deficiency of qi and yin, dry heat in the lungs, and cough with copious sticky phlegm.
3. Clearing heat and detoxifying: Jiaogulan has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, and can be used to treat heat-toxin symptoms that arise in tumor conditions.
4. Lowering blood lipids: Jiaogulan significantly lowers cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, raises high-density lipoprotein, protects the inner walls of blood vessels, prevents lipids from depositing on blood vessel walls, and has an anti-arteriosclerosis effect.
5. Preventing and treating thrombosis: Jiaogulan markedly reduces blood viscosity and helps regulate blood pressure. It also prevents the formation of microthrombi and increases the tolerance of myocardial cells to hypoxia, thereby protecting the myocardium.
6. Regulating blood sugar: Jiaogulan can protect the adrenal glands, thymus and endocrine organs so that they do not atrophy with age, maintain the normal function of the endocrine system, and has the effect of lowering blood sugar and improving glucose metabolism.
7. Helping sleep: Jiaogulan nourishes the brain and calms the mind. It can regulate the balance between excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex and has a bidirectional regulatory effect on the central nervous system, with effects of sedation, hypnosis, anti-tension, fatigue relief and memory enhancement.
8. Delaying aging: Jiaogulan has a marked effect on participating in cell revival. It can extend the number of cell reproduction generations and prolong cell life, and has the effect of enhancing superoxide dismutase activity and endurance.
9. Preventing and fighting cancer: Jiaogulan can prevent normal cells from becoming cancerous, mainly acting on the DNA synthesis process of tumor cells. Anti-cancer pharmacological experiments prove that Jiaogulan both prevents normal cells from becoming cancerous and promotes the gradual return of cancer cells to normal.
10. Improving immunity: Jiaogulan can enhance macrophage capability, significantly increase the white blood cell count, and at the same time increase the phagocytic function of white blood cells themselves, promote the secretion of interleukins in the body, and increase the production of serum immune proteins.
How to consume Jiaogulan
1. Jiaogulan tea
[Materials] 10 grams of Jiaogulan, 2 grams of green tea.
[Method] First roast the Jiaogulan to remove its fishy smell, grind it into a fine powder, then brew it together with the tea leaves in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drink frequently as a tea substitute.
[Effects] Tonifies the five viscera, strengthens the body, fights cancer. Suitable for general health maintenance, especially for people who are weak and prone to illness.
2. Jiaogulan porridge
[Materials] 150 grams of fresh tender Jiaogulan stems and leaves, 100 grams of black rice.
[Method] Wash the tender leaves, blanch them in boiling water, soak in cold water, drain and chop. Wash the rice, add an appropriate amount of water, and cook into porridge. Once the porridge is done, add the Jiaogulan, stir in rock sugar, mix well and eat.
3. Cold-dressed Jiaogulan
[Materials] 250 grams of fresh tender Jiaogulan stems and leaves, 50 grams of vermicelli, 25 grams of cooked sesame seeds.
[Method] Wash the fresh tender Jiaogulan leaves, blanch them in boiling salted water until just cooked, soak and rinse in cold water, drain and cut into sections. Soak the vermicelli in boiling water until softened, rinse in cold water, drain and cut into sections. Add minced garlic, cooked sesame seeds, refined salt, vinegar, monosodium glutamate and sesame oil, mix well and serve.
4. Jiaogulan and red date soup
[Materials] 15 grams of Jiaogulan, 8 red dates.
[Method] Wash the Jiaogulan and red dates separately, put them in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
[Effects] Nourishes the brain and boosts intelligence, calms and soothes the mind. It can treat symptoms such as mental fatigue and weakness, poor appetite, insomnia and forgetfulness, and frequent nighttime urination.
5. Jiaogulan tea drink
[Materials] 50 grams of Jiaogulan.
[Method] Wash the Jiaogulan, add 1000 milliliters of water, decoct for 15 minutes, and strain the liquid. Or take 15 grams of Jiaogulan, brew as tea until the taste becomes bland, and drink it in several portions as a tea substitute.
[Effects] Replenishes qi and nourishes blood, dissipates blood stasis and disperses nodules, supports healthy qi and prevents disease.