Send This Site to a Friend
The Immortality Herb Supercharges Your Health
Kenneth Anderson
We've all heard about the effectiveness of ginseng
for boosting the immune system and energizing the
body. However, there's a lesser-known Asian herb - one
that many Chinese use to extend their lives to 100 years
or more.(1) In fact, among those in China who take
advantage of its healing powers, it's regarded as "like
ginseng - but better."
The herb is called jiaogulan (JOW-goo-lawn), and it's
poised to be the next big thing in herbal supplements. Its
catalog of benefits is dizzying, as is the amount of
scientific research behind it. Treating everything from high
blood pressure to bronchitis, this potent antioxidant has
also shown anticancer effects in lab studies.
From the mountains of southern China, jiaogulan was
first recognized as a medicinal herb in the 16th century.
Since then, the evidence has mounted for its ability to
heal and regulate the body~s functions. Jiaogulan is a
powerful adaptogen~an herb that helps the body adapt and
deal efficiently with the various stresses put upon it. In
other words, it harmonizes the functions of the body.
When stress arises, the adaptogen equips your body to
meet the challenge on equal terms. It strengthens the
immune system and prevents the stress (be it the pressures
of work, toxins in the air, an excessively poor diet, or
whatever) from harming the body.
Animal studies conducted in 1990 demonstrated that
the herb enhanced resistance in mice against the effects of
excessive exercise, oxygen deprivation, electric stimulus,
and high temperature.(2)
Similarly, in human studies, jiaogulan is shown to
be a potent adaptogenic. 300 athletes were tested with
jiaogulan prior to a competition (with a control group
given a placebo). Every member of the test group reported
increased vigor and alertness, quicker reflexes, and less
nervousness.(3)
This effect is coupled with the herb~s ability to promote
and improve sleep~with a tested effectiveness of
89-95 percent.(4) So, if the body needs rest, jiaogulan
promotes rest. If it needs to be energized, the herb does
that as well.
The active elements of jiaogulan are high-powered
antioxidants, scavenging the body for free radicals. In
doing so, they protect the body from DNA damage
(caused by oxidation) and stave off the inevitable physical
decline of aging~accounting for the 100-year life
span of many Chinese jiaogulan users.
A 1992 study at Loma Linda University demonstrated
the antioxidant qualities of jiaogulan. The different
elements of the herb prevented a range of oxidation damage.
The researchers concluded that ~the extensive antioxidant
effect of gypenosides [the active molecular component of
jiaogulan] may be valuable in the prevention and treatment
of various diseases such as atherosclerosis, liver disease,
and inflammation.~(5)
Partially as a result of its high-powered antioxidant
effect, jiaogulan has been shown to obstruct the growth
of cancer. In an animal study, a test group of rats was
given jiaogulan two weeks prior to the introduction of a
carcinogen. After 18 weeks of receiving the carcinogen,
the rats were killed and studied.
Not only was the number of tumors in the test group
lower than those in the control group (who received only
the carcinogen), but jiaogulan actually delayed the onset
of the cancer for six weeks (even while the rats received
regular injections of carcinogens).(6)
Similarly, in clinical studies, researchers discovered
that jiaogulan increased the Natural Killer cell activity
in patients with uro- cancers, empowering their
bodies to fight back against the invading tumors.(7)
Both high and low blood pressures are dangerous to
your health. Causing everything from heart attack in the
case of high blood pressure to cerebral collapse in the case
of low, they~re serious conditions that must be addressed
immediately. Jiaogulan does this, by bringing the blood
pressure into the normal level (whether it~s high or low).
In the area of hypertension (a result of dangerously
high blood pressure), jiaogulan was tested in a clinical
study against ginseng. The results were surprising: 82
percent of those taking jiaogulan noted improvement in their
condition, vs. only 46 percent taking ginseng.(8)
The herb has an equally powerful effect in lowering
dangerous cholesterol levels. Numerous clinical studies
have been published showing that jiaogulan is effective in
lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, and raising the
HDL (good cholesterol) levels.(9)
In lowering the dangerous LDL cholesterol, jiaogulan
helps prevent atherosclerosis, stroke, and heart attack.
Gypenosides have been found to enhance the contractility
of the heart. In doing so, they increases the
efficiency of the heart~s pumping mechanism. Simply
put, jiaogulan reduces the burden on your heart, by
helping it pump the same amount of blood with less
stress and effort.(10)
For this reason, the "immortality herb" would be
perfect for an athlete, or active person, concerned with
his physical output. Endurance is increased and recovery
time shortened. This was born out in a study on 220
athletes and 30 healthy non-athletes. Using a color
DOPLER examination, researchers found that the
active components of jiaogulan, in concert with other
medicinal herbs, increased heart output measurably,
without raising the heart rate or blood pressure.(11)
But the heart isn't the only organ aided and protected
by jiaogulan. Its healing power also extends to the liver,
which the herb shields against toxic chemicals.(12)
The lungs, too, benefit from the herb. Jiaogulan is
remarkably effective in treating bronchitis~the disease it
was originally used to cure in traditional China. In one
study of 86 cases of bronchitis, jiaogulan improved 93
percent of those suffering.13 A study of 96 cases showed an
effectiveness of 92 percent.(14)
At this time, there aren~t many sources for jiaogulan
in the United Kingdom; most health-food stores don~t sell it
(and haven~t heard of it). This will undoubtedly change
as more consumers learn of its proven benefits and wide
range of uses.
However, Jagulana Herbal Products, a company
that sells exclusively jiaogulan-related medicines, carries
a range of items featuring the herb. Bottles of 200 herbal
pills are available for less than twenty pounds. Michael
Blumert, researcher and author of the comprehensive
Jiaogulan: China~s Immortality Herb, recommends
1 pill three times a day for prevention of illness.
A therapeutic dose would increase the intake to 3 pills
three times a day.
For more information visit:
www.immortalityherb.co.uk
or call 01923 856145
Find More Related Info:
Also See:
Skin, Hair, Fashion &
Beauty Care, Plus Weddings
Relationships &
Marriage
Women's Health & Women's
Issues
Your Health and Wellness Center
