Common Name: Sweet Tea Vine

General Information

Gynostemma pentaphyllum is a very variable, annual to perennial climbing plant, sending out stems that scramble over the ground and into the surrounding vegetation, attaching themselves by means of tendrils.
A very important tonic herb in Chinese Traditional Medicine, the plant also produces edible young shoots, a tea and a cosmetic. It is sometimes grown in gardens for its edible and medicinal uses.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea

Habitat

Thickets in open forests in lowland all over Japan[, ]. Forest, thickets or road sides on mountain slopes at elevations of 300 - 3200 metres in China[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Gynostemma pentaphyllum is not cold hardy outside the warmer regions of the temperate zone, being able to tolerate occasional short-lived temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[]. A problematic crop outdoors in cooler regions of the temperate zone, it can be grown successfully as an annual in a greenhouse but requires a long hot summer if it is to do well outdoors.
Requires a rich well-drained but moisture-retentive soil in a warm sheltered position in partial shade[].
Plants tend to be annuals or short-lived perennials[].
A climbing plant, attaching itself to supports by means of tendrils[].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Some plants might be monoecious[].

Edible Uses

Leaves and young stems - cooked[, , ].

The leaves have a sweet taste and are used as a tea[, , ].

Medicinal

The whole plant is a tonic herb that improves the circulation, stimulates liver function, strengthens the immune and nervous systems, and reduces blood sugar and cholesterol levels[]. It also has sedative effects, relieving spasms and lowering the blood pressure[]. It is used internally in the treatment of nervous tension and exhaustion, peptic ulcer, asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer[]. It was rated among the ten most important tonic herbs at a conference on traditional medicines in Beijing in 1991[].

Other Uses

The plant is used in proprietary preparations for cosmetics and anti-ageing tonics[].

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow it in spring in a rich compost in a greenhouse, placing 2 - 3 seeds per pot. Thin the seedlings to the strongest in each pot and grow the plants on fast. Plant them out after the last expected frosts and protect them with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well.