Gynostemma and Chill?

I’m not really a tea drinker, but this is as close as it gets and I love it. Dragon Herbs Spring Dragon Longevity Tea. It’s not technically tea, because it’s not from the tea family. But I think it’s better.

The main ingredient is gynostemma. Jiaogulan is a vine in the gourd family, native to eastern Asia. It’s commonly known as “the poor man’s ginseng,” or “ginseng at tea price.” But that’s only because so few have caught on. And it doesn’t need to be 100 years old to provide benefits.

The most active compounds in gynsotemma are gypenosides. There are over 100. Gypenosides are what make gynostemma an adaptogen and cancer fighter. A saponin is technically soapy sugar. If you make gynostemma and stir it vvigoursouy, you’ll see it foam. To me, that means it’s more hydrating. The surface tension is lower and the molecules are more slippery allowing them to get into places they otherwise wouldn’t. Someone fact check me.

Just like most adaptogens, it’s a tonic herb. That means you use it to maintain and refine your already good health. It works to keep you balanced. It’s really great at helping the body adapt to stress. Mental and physical. It’s not a cure, and benefits increase with duration of use. Ideally, you want to drink this on a regular basis. I find it really calming, and typically throw a big pot of water on with 2 tea bags when I get home for the evening.

One of the highlights of this magical grass, is the flavor. It’s not too strong, slightly sweet and a tad pungent. It makes a great hot or iced tea. And it lives up to it’s name of poor man’s gingseng. The Spring Dragon tea runs about $8-10 a box, depending on where you get it. 20 bags in a box. One box makes 3 cups of tea. I’ll do the math. Carry the two and that’s about 16 cents per cup of tea. I think that’s a colloquial cup, not 8oz.

You can find it on Amazon, or if you’re local, at Cambridge Naturals in Porter Sq.