A Holistic View: Understanding Potential Side Effects of Jiaogulan Use
- Constanze Ruprecht
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) has an impressive number of reported health benefits in addition to its delicious taste. Knowing the full range of Jiaogulan’s effects, including possible interactions with other supplements and medications, is an important step in deciding how to add this unique herb to your daily regimen.
As knowledge about natural remedies expands beyond traditional fields of medicine and into mainstream use, questions arise about the possibility of side effects. This is an important consideration when weighing the potential benefits of Jiaogulan and key to ensuring a broad understanding of how regular use of this adaptogenic herb might affect the body. Considering possible interactions or side effects is especially important for those of us with pre-existing conditions, those who are planning to take large amounts of Jiaogulan, or those who are taking many other types of supplements.
Are There Jiaogulan Precautions I Should Be Aware Of?
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid Jiaogulan, as no human studies have been conducted yet to determine the possible impact of this herb on infants; while a single animal study indicated a possible risk associated with Jiaogulan use in pregnancy and birth defects. It is also recommended that young children should avoid consuming Jiaogulan, as its effects on those in early childhood are also unknown.
Does Jiaogulan Cause Side Effects?
As Jiaogulan is an adaptogen, it is generally understood to have a balancing effect on the body, gently bringing systems or levels (like blood sugar) into a healthy equilibrium. However, some people who take Jiaogulan may experience nausea, or an increased number of bowel movements.
While there are no other known side effects of Jiaogulan, the low number of reliable human studies of Jiaogulan use means that more research s needed in order to rule out that other side effects may exist.
If you suspect that you may be experiencing nausea, bowel irritation, or any other unusual effects as a result of taking Jiaogulan, stop taking it immediately and consult with your naturopath or physician.
Does Jiaogulan Have Any Drug Interactions?
Studies have shown that Jiaogulan increases the amount of time needed for the blood to clot. If Gynostemma supplements or teas are taken at the same time as anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs (blood thinners), the combination could potentially cause excessive or uncontrolled bleeding. Patients who take the following drugs should consult with their doctor before consuming Jiaogulan:
Anticoagulants:
| Antiplatelets:
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Additionally, as Jiaogulan enhances functioning of the body’s immune system, using Jiaogulan may interfere with drugs used to suppress the immune system after organ transplants or for other conditions. Therefore, it is not recommended to use Jiaogulan if taking the following drugs:
Azathioprine (Imuran)
Belatacept (Nulojix)
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf)
Daclizumab (Zinbryta)
Everolimus (Zortress, Afinitor)
Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)
Mycophenolic acid (Myfortic)
Mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept)
Prednisone (Deltasone, Rayos, Prednicot, Sterapred, Liquid Pred, Prednisone Intensol)
Sirolimus (Rapamune)
Tacrolimus (Prograf, Advagraf, Envarsus XR)
What if I take Jiaogulan together with other natural supplements?
While Jiaogulan is largely considered to be safe, caution should be exercised in combining Jiaogulan with other herbs or supplements known to inhibit clotting in the blood, as this could lead to excessive bleeding (see also above, anticoagulants). Some of the herbal products most commonly used to reduce the blood’s ability to form clots include:
Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) (in large amounts)
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Panax Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
Papain (Carica papaya)
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
If you’re unsure of how Jiaogulan may fit into your existing herbal regimen, it’s best to consult with your naturopath or physician for further guidance.
What is the Correct Dosage for Jiaogulan?
The few human studies of Jiaogulan have indicated that a standard daily amount to lower cholesterol levels was 30 milligrams of Gynostemma extract, typically taken in three 10 milligram doses.
For the treatment of other conditions, the recommendations for dosage varies widely from 20 milligrams to over 150 milligrams per day. While even larger doses, such as several cups of Jiaogulan tea per day, appear to be safe, there is not yet any scientific documentation available to confirm a maximum dose.
Should I Use Jiaogulan to Better My Health?
Jiaogulan has a tremendous number of potential benefits, as well as a long history of use in southern China. It’s also one of the relatively few plants recognized as an adaptogen, which means it has positive balancing effects on the body, including on levels of stress. For more details on these benefits, check out this blog post
Our recommendation is to start small, with just one or two cups a day, observing how you feel and how your body reacts.
Remember, as always when introducing any new herb or supplement into a daily regimen, it’s a good idea to check with a naturopath or physician about possible interactions, especially if you have pre-existing conditions, are taking other medications or supplements, or plan to take large doses. This can help you avoid any possible side effects, and get the most out of your Jiaogulan use.
