Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan)

Distribution:
South western part of mainland China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia. Yunnan province has the largest number of species. It can also grow in 600 to 2000 meters above sea level in Taiwan where it is moist and shady.
 
Properties (characteristics):
Bitter, sweet, cold.
 
Channels (meridians) entered:
Lung, spleen and kidney

Actions & Indications:
Being used in inflammation, phlegm and cough, Hypertension (High Blood pressure), liver diseases, Headache, neuralgia, lower back pain, Diabetes, kidney diseases, ulcer of stomach and duodenum, Chronic Bronchitis, allergenic dermatitis, Insomnia, Constipation, gall bladder stones.

Present Day Applications: Treatment of :
1. high lipid level
2.anti-aging
3. irregular heat beats of fetuses
4. chronic atrophic gastritis
5. Thrombocytopenia (low in platelets)
6. lack of white blood cells
7. for treatment of lack of white cells resulted from chemo or radiation therapy.
8. folk applications: anti-inflammation, detoxification, stopping cough and expelling phlegm, chronic bronchitis [7],
9. saponin of jiao gu lan (gypenoside) with added alcohol, some peppermint oil, and glycerine is made into hair protection lotion for preventing white hair[11] .
10. Deodorant: extract of gypenoside with added cane sugar and alcohol, after storing for 2 months, strain, and end product is yellowish green liquid. Taking orally, it can be used for inhibiting body odor from the armpits.

Cautions:
Do not take during pregnancy or during lactation where the function of bodies of the mothers are cold.