Gynostemma pentaphyllum, also called jiaogulan is an herbaceous vine of the family Cucurbitaceae (cucumber or gourd family) indigenous to the southern reaches of China, northern Vietnam, southern Korea, and Japan. Jiaogulan is best known as an herbal medicine reputed to have powerful antioxidant and adaptogenic effects purported to increase longevity. The plant is best known for its use as an herbal medicine. It has not seen widespread use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) because it grows far from central China where TCM evolved; consequently, it was not included in the standard pharmacopoeia of the TCM system. Gypenosides isolated from Gynostemma pentaphyllum are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, with beneficial effects reported in numerous diseases, including inflammation and atherosclerosis, although the mechanism underlying these therapeutic effects is unknown. Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea has been studied in a randomized controlled trial in type 2 diabetic patients.