Practical
Plants

Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Sweet Tea Vine

an annual or perennial member of the Gynostemma genus in the family Cucurbitaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual, perennial
Height
8 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Insects
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves and young stems - cooked[1][2][3]. The leaves have a sweet taste and are used as a tea[1][2][3].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[5]. It also has sedative effects, relieving spasms and lowering the blood pressure[5]. It is used internally in the treatment of nervous tension and exhaustion, peptic ulcer, asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer[5]. It was rated among the ten most important tonic herbs at a conference on traditional medicines in Beijing in 1991[5].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Anticholesterolemic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Hepatic
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is used in proprietary preparations for cosmetics and anti-ageing tonics[5].

Product or use
Cosmetic

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Thickets in open forests in lowland all over Japan[7][6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a rich well-drained but moisture-retentive soil in a warm sheltered position in partial shade[5]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[4]. A problematic crop outdoors in Britain, it can be grown successfully as an annual in a greenhouse but requires a long hot summer if it is to do well outdoors. Plants tend to be annuals or short-lived perennials[5]. A climbing plant, attaching itself to supports by means of tendrils[5]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Some plants might be monoecious[4].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  5. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  6. Flora of Japan www.foj.info

    ↩

  7. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

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