The Gynostemma plant belongs to the Pumpkin family. The growing area covers tropical areas in southeast Asia, the Himalayas, the Japanese islands, Malaysia and New Guinea. If we talk about Japan, here you can see numerous plantings of various types of gynostemma. Most of them are endemic.
Cultural representatives include the five-leafed gynostemma (Gynostemma pentaphyllum). It is also called in common parlance "immortal herb", "Thai tea" or "southern ginseng". The Japanese people call the herb "jiaogulan" or "jiaogulan". At first, the plant came to European culture in the form of an exotic plant from distant eastern countries, and then it began to grow in the gardens of the southern corners of the planet. For a long time, botanical scientists have been studying the structure of the herb and conducting research on medicinal properties. Today, traditional medicine is no longer complete without the use of such valuable plant materials.
Characteristics of gynostemma five-leafed
Gynostemma is a dioecious herbaceous perennial with climbing stems resembling branches of a liana, and shiny leaf blades arranged in opposite order. The leaves are attached to the stems with petioles and consist of lanceolate leaves with serrated edges.
The flowers are unremarkable. Inside the bud there is a tubular corolla of green or white color. The calyx is divided into 5 narrow parts. Flowers are combined into panicles or brushes that open during flowering. The flowers are heterosexual, but differ in the length of the corolla. Typically, male corollas appear slightly longer. The plant blooms in July and continues to bloom for about one and a half months. Ripe fruits are round berries. Their diameter does not exceed 6 mm. The pulp contains black grains. If the weather conditions in the area where the gynostemma is grown are within the normal range during the year, plantings can reach 8 m.
Growing gynostemma five-leafed
Planting gynostemma five-leafed
Liana stems thrive in illuminated areas or in light partial shade. It is only important that the soil is nutritious and drained. For the cultivation of bushes, one mother plant is enough. The most effective breeding method for gynostemma is cuttings.
The percentage of seed germination increases if the seed is soaked in warm water for 24 hours, and only then the seeds are sown in containers. The sowing depth should be no more than 2 cm. The containers are filled with sand mixed with compost or other organic matter.
At the end of sowing, the pots are covered with polyethylene and left indoors at room temperature. The emergence of seedlings should be expected no earlier than after 3-6 weeks. After germination, the containers are freed from the film and placed in a sunny place, then the crops will get stronger faster and begin to grow better.
The activities associated with caring for gynostemma are quite simple and consist of watering and weeding regularly. The grown stems need additional support.
When the threat of frost has passed and the soil warms up well, they begin to plant gynostemma seedlings under the open sky. The site is dug up in advance. To improve the quality of the soil substrate, the soil is mixed with humus and compost. Dense and heavy substrates must be diluted with peat and coarse sand to increase drainage properties.
The planting of gynostemma is carried out by the transshipment method. The seedling hole is made slightly larger in size than the width of the root system, removed from the pot along with an earthen lump. The roots are gently straightened in the hole and covered with a ready-made substrate. The earth around the seedling is compacted. Planting ends with watering. After the moisture is completely absorbed, the planting site is covered with a layer of mulch. For these purposes, any organic material is suitable, for example, humus or compost. The layer thickness should not exceed 8 cm. Young seedlings will soon turn into climbing liana shoots, so an important condition is the presence of a support next to the flower bed.
Many gardeners plant a perennial gynostemma near a wall or fence, then the plant will completely manage with already existing solid surfaces.
Gynostemma care
Gynostemma does not need special care, only abundant and frequent watering. It is enough to water the bushes once a week so that the topsoil does not dry out. During drought, the leaves are sprayed with warm water. The procedure is repeated twice a day - in the morning and in the evening, so that the sun's rays do not burn the leaf blades. Loosening of the soil and weeding is carried out after watering or precipitation. A plant just planted in open ground does not need additional feeding and takes all the nutrients from the organic feeding introduced earlier during the year.
Two- and three-year-old gynostemma seedlings are fed with Kemira's solution. 30-40 g of fertilizer are poured under the bushes. The composition of the complex is selected so that the microelements contained in it will provide vines with good growth and development. The leaves are considered edible. They go well with vegetable salads, soups and other dishes. When fertilizing, the leaves are not affected, but only the underground part is fed.
Frosts down to -18 ºC are not so bad for a gynostemma, but more severe cold can lead to freezing of the root system and shoots. Snow cover is the best winter protection for bushes. In regions where there is little rainfall in winter and frosts are common, it is recommended to cover the plant with spruce branches or make shelter with dry foliage.
Some gardeners, in order not to subject the gynostemma to such a test, dig it up before the onset of winter and transplant it into a pot, which is kept in the light in a cool room, protecting batteries and other heating devices from dry air. At rest, the gynostemma plant also requires daily attention and regular watering, so the care does not stop.
Collection and storage of gynostemma
Gynostemma have been harvesting raw materials throughout the year. Fresh herbs are used in salads and first courses. Tea leaves are infused on the basis of dried leaves. The collected shoots and leaves of gynostemma are air-dried or in a dark place until they become brittle. Then grind and pour into a jar or paper bag. The container is tightly closed and stored in a dry place. Ripe gynostemma berries are sweet and tasty.
Types and varieties of gynostemma
The genus of perennial has about 20 different species forms, however, only five-leaf gynostemma is suitable for cultivation. In our regions, the plant is not so popular, therefore, domestic gardeners know little about any varietal varieties.
Properties of gynostemma
Useful properties of gynostemma
Gynostemma has not yet received recognition from official medicine. The healing properties of the herb gynostemma have so far attracted only traditional healers. The composition and biological structure of perennials has much in common with ginseng, one of the most popular botanical plants in the Far East. Gynostemma became famous in antiquity. Today, you can often hear stories about how herbal tea was brewed and taken by the aborigines in order to achieve longevity, maintain health and be always in good shape. Thanks to such an invigorating drink, it was possible to lead an active lifestyle and never complain about well-being.
Fresh greens of shoots and leaves have a sweetish taste. The tissues contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals, for example, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, calcium and many other useful components.
Gynostemma contains unique glycosidic organic compounds - saponins. Similar properties are also found in ginseng. The ground parts of the plant are recommended to be eaten. They have a beneficial effect on the body as a whole and improve performance, as a result, a person ceases to experience difficulties associated with physical activity.
Compared to the powerful stimulant ginseng, gynostemma has a calming effect, so taking it regularly can help you relax and dissipate anxiety. It is considered a natural substitute for sugars, which is why the herb is prescribed for diabetics. As a result, blood cholesterol levels are significantly reduced. The components strengthen the immune system and the genitourinary system, restore the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, develop memory and mental abilities, and also slow down the aging process.
Healing tea recipe
You will need to take 2 or 3 tsp of chopped raw materials and pour it with boiling water, close the lid and leave for 5 minutes. On the basis of such herbal tea, a delicious sweetish tea is prepared. The systematic intake of tea gives a boost of vivacity for the whole day.
Contraindications
Serious contraindications of drugs and raw materials of gynostemma have not yet been identified, however, in people with individual intolerance to substances, parts of the grass can cause rejection. Patients with hypertension and people with sleep problems should be careful when taking the herb. Children, pregnant women and nursing mothers also fall under the category of restriction.
