The Herb of Immortality: A Plant Rooted in Tradition

The Herb of Immortality, or Jiao Gu Lan, is a medicinal plant with exceptional virtues, renowned for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Nicknamed "Southern Ginseng", it is valued for its ability to revitalise the body, harmonise the mind and support longevity. Regarded as a treasure of the Chinese pharmacopoeia, it intrigues as much for its benefits as for its history.

What does this plant, with its promise of immortality, really hold?

A history of immortality

The use of Jiao Gu Lan goes back several centuries. In ancient China, Taoist monks and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine used this plant for its energising properties and its ability to promote longevity. It was believed that drinking it regularly brought renewed energy and promoted a longer life, hence its nickname, the Herb of Immortality. Today, this plant is recognised worldwide for its many benefits and its role in alternative medicine.

Nowadays, Jiao Gu Lan is commonly drunk as a daily infusion in southern China, particularly in the mountainous regions of Guangxi and Guizhou. Appreciated for its mild taste, slightly bitter and then sweet, it is drunk throughout the day, just like water, as it contains no caffeine and does not affect sleep.

Traditionally shared with family or friends, it symbolises a moment of conviviality and well-being. It is particularly popular with older people, who include it in their routine to preserve their vitality. This regular consumption is part of a preventive approach, illustrating the Chinese philosophy that everyday balance is essential for long-term well-being.

Thanks to its balancing action, this plant is often consumed to support a harmonious metabolism, notably by encouraging good regulation of blood circulation, sugar and fats in the body. It is therefore a renowned plant, frequently included in traditional Chinese medicine preparations.

Where does Jiao Gu Lan come from?

Jiao Gu Lan thrives in the lush mountains of southern China, notably in the provinces of Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou. These regions, with their mild subtropical climate and fertile soils, offer this climbing plant an ideal environment in which to grow. It is particularly common in tropical forests and high-altitude areas, where it enjoys constant humidity and moderate temperatures. Unlike ginseng, which prefers cold climates, Jiao Gu Lan thrives in warmer, more humid conditions.

The plant's slender stems bear distinctive leaves, often divided into five lobes, hence its scientific name, Gynostemma pentaphyllum ("five leaves" in Latin). It produces yellow flowers in summer, followed by fruits that release black seeds. Being hardy, it can be grown in a range of environments, which allows the plant to be cultivated in other parts of the world, notably in Korea, Japan and even North America and Europe.

Its use and virtues in traditional Chinese medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Jiao Gu Lan (the Herb of Immortality) is highly valued for its many benefits, notably as an adaptogen that balances the body's vital energy (Qi).

Strengthening Qi (vital energy)

In TCM, health is considered to depend on the balance of Qi, the vital energy that circulates in the body. Jiao Gu Lan is reputed for its power to strengthen this energy. It is often used to revitalise the body and prevent a feeling of persistent fatigue. By balancing Qi, it helps maintain an optimal energy level and supports overall vitality.

Improving blood circulation

Jiao Gu Lan is traditionally used to support blood circulation, helping to avoid feelings of stagnation or heaviness. By encouraging a harmonious blood flow, it contributes to general well-being, notably by bringing better oxygenation to the tissues and helping to preserve the vitality of the extremities.

Supporting metabolism and sugar balance

It is traditionally appreciated for supporting the overall balance of the metabolism and accompanying a healthy lifestyle, notably as part of a way of life that aims to limit excesses (cholesterol and sugar). It is valued in TCM for its harmonising action, which helps to better manage energy fluctuations and avoid diet-related imbalances. By encouraging better assimilation of nutrients, it helps the body maintain optimal functioning from day to day.

Reducing stress and the effects of ageing

A prized adaptogenic plant in Asia, Jiao Gu Lan is traditionally used to support the body's adaptation to stress-related imbalances. It is recognised for encouraging better inner balance, notably in connection with mental vitality and recovery. This overall action also makes it a plant associated, in Asian traditions, with maintaining energy and longevity.

Supporting digestion and detoxification

It is valued in TCM for its role in digestive balance and the natural elimination of waste. It encourages a smooth flow of energy in the organs involved in transforming and assimilating nutrients, such as the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach. It is traditionally used to bring a feeling of lightness after meals and to encourage optimal digestive comfort.

Supporting the immune system

Recognised in TCM as a tonic, it supports the natural defences and helps the body adapt better to day-to-day changes. It helps the body cope better with seasonal fluctuations and internal imbalances, thus contributing to preserving vitality and well-being day to day.

Promoting longevity

A true elixir of vitality in traditional Chinese medicine, the Herb of Immortality lives up to its name. Regarded as a precious tonic for longevity, it has been used for centuries to nourish vital energy (Qi) and preserve the body's balance over the long term. Its role is to promote a long and healthy life by balancing bodily functions and preventing deep imbalances. It thus helps to slow the ageing process by nourishing the body's internal energy.

How to take Jiao Gu Lan?

There are several ways to include Jiao Gu Lan in your daily routine:

• As a tisane: Infuse 5 g of dried leaves in boiling water for 5 minutes. You can re-infuse the leaves up to 3 times to prolong the benefits.
• As a decoction: For a more concentrated extraction, add 10 g of leaves to 500 mL of water, bring to the boil, then leave to simmer for 10 minutes.
• In cooking: Jiao Gu Lan can also be added to your hot dishes, such as soups or grain porridges, for a light flavour and an extra dose of benefits.

Why Choose the Herb of Immortality?

Whether to start the day with balanced energy or to enjoy a moment of relaxation in the evening, Jiao Gu Lan fits easily into daily life. Its pleasant taste and its influence on inner harmony make it a favourite ally for maintaining vitality and balance over time.

More than a simple plant, Jiao Gu Lan embodies ancestral knowledge passed down through generations. Used in traditional Chinese medicine to support circulation, digestion, immunity and stress management, it carries on a tradition in which nature lies at the heart of well-being. Including it in your routine means reconnecting with this heritage and granting yourself a moment of harmony inspired by age-old practices.

References:

[1] Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015 – Studies on the adaptogenic properties of Jiao Gu Lan.

[2] Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2014 – Review of the plant's effects on blood circulation and immunity.

[3] Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, CRC Press, 2011 – Analysis of the active compounds of Jiao Gu Lan and their physiological effects.