"What studies exist on gynostemma all seem to have looked at effects in cell cultures and on rodents (i.e. rats and guinea pigs). No human trials. Given the problems that have surfaced on closer examination of some "traditional Chinese medicines", I'm not sure I'd want to be a human guinea pig for gynostemma." On the contrary, the Chinese have done all the field trials you could want on this. Jiaogulan tea is quite popular in the areas of China where people have enjoyed extreme longevity (100+) for centuries. Now, while that doesn't PROVE Jiagulan is good for you, if it was toxic it's unlikely regular users would live LONGER than average. Remember that most clinical trials in the USA are done for profit, pure and simple. Come up with a new cholesterol drug you can patent, and you'll get your study. But imagine this: someone decides to do a clinical trial to prove that drinking distilled water is good for you. They spend 50 Million dollars proving this. Now, they publish their results. How do they make their money back? The water market is already saturated, so to speak. Making money selling water usually requires fringe science claims that the water has been 'de-polarized' by spinning in a centrifuge for ten hours. Not kidding, BTW. So, the only studies you'll see on "wellness" items are going to be smaller, University studies. It's surprising even ginseng attracted enough attention to be studied, much less exotics like Jiaogulan.

Any one on meds should check with their Dr. first. Anti-oxidants are now causing some problems with certain meds per Mayo Clinic news and Webb MD.

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I grow it. I'm in NC though. I brought some plants inside for the winter and they continue to grow. They held up well to our heat over the summer. I had them in a kind of shady spot. I would say they would grow ok in FL. There is not much growing info on these plants in English, but I've seen people in southern parts of Texas grow these plants, so apparently they can take the heat with care. The guy who introduced this herb to North America is joe Hollis of mountain garden herbs and he is very knowledgable about it. I emailed him once with Jaiogulan questions in NC and he responded.