Gynostemma Tea

Last updated 2026-11-10 — Gynostemma, also known as Five-leaf Gynostemma or Seven-leaf Gynostemma, has a bitter taste and cold nature. It is a perennial creeping herbaceous plant belonging to the Gynostemma genus of the Cucurbitaceae family. It is widely distributed across the Qinling Mountains and vast areas south of the Yangtze River in China. There are eleven species and four varieties within the same genus, which are also found in countries such as India and Japan. As early as the Ming Dynasty, the book "Jiuhuang Bencao" (Herbal for Famine Relief) recorded Gynostemma as a wild plant used for sustenance during famine years. In Chinese folk medicine, Gynostemma has been used as an anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, cough-relieving, and phlegm-expelling remedy for treating chronic bronchitis and infectious diseases. Gynostemma contains various saponins, vitamins, and amino acids that are beneficial to human health. Over 80 types of saponins have been isolated, many of which share structural similarities with ginsenosides, hence earning it the nickname “Southern Ginseng.” Gynostemma has anti-aging, anti-tumor, anti-fatigue, and blood lipid-lowering effects. It can also have sedative, sleep-inducing, and analgesic properties, making it a promising clinical medicine and an essential healthcare supplement for modern households. In Japan, Gynostemma saponins have been added to various food products. Rice vinegar made with these saponins is known to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and act as a mild laxative. Gynostemma saponins can also be mixed with ethanol, vitamin E, and vitamin A to create tea-like beverages. Japan has also produced a “Longevity Wine” using Gynostemma as the main ingredient. Some provinces and cities in China have developed a range of Gynostemma-based products, such as Gynostemma tea, Gulan Cola, Gynostemma royal jelly, Gynostemma dew, and Gynostemma granules. These products are now widely used across the country, which is why Gynostemma has also been hailed as the “New Star in Anti-Cancer” and the “Goddess of Health and Beauty.” The Qiaoshang series of Gynostemma tea is produced in Qiaoshang, located at an altitude of 1,700 meters on the northern foothills of Shennongjia in Hubei Province. It is purely wild and natural. The tea has a dragon beard-like appearance, with a clear green liquor, pure and sweet flavor, smooth mouthfeel, and an endless aftertaste. It holds significant health benefits and is highly popular.