Gynostemma pentaphyllum: Indigenous knowledge of Hoang Lien Son and its modern medicinal value

SKĐS - In the high mountains of Hoang Lien Son, where the H'Mong and Dao people live, there is a wild vine that is used to make a daily drink to dispel fatigue, the Bsa plant. According to modern medicine, this is Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a treasure for cardiovascular health and blood lipids.

In some remote villages in the Hoang Lien Son range, especially in the Sa Pa area (Lao Cai) or Phansipang ( Lai Chau ). Despite living in harsh climate conditions, year-round fog and hard labor, the ethnic minorities here (mainly the H'Mong and Dao people) have good health and a remarkable average life expectancy.

When studying the living habits, researchers discovered a common point: people here, regardless of age, have the habit of brewing a wild vine to drink instead of tea. They call this plant by the rustic name of Bsa tree. They believe that this slightly bitter, then sweet aftertaste drink is what helps them dispel fatigue after a day in the fields, helps them eat well, sleep deeply and keep their bodies healthy.

Those promising initial observations paved the way for a series of in-depth scientific studies. And the Bsa plant is now known to the world by its official name: Gynostemma pentaphyllum ( scientific name: Gynostemma pentaphyllum ), also known as Southern Ginseng, Seven-leaf Plant or the immortal plant.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum is used in medicines to help stabilize blood pressure, support blood fat reduction...

Diverse uses of the precious medicinal herb Gynostemma pentaphyllum

The indigenous people’s knowledge is simple but extremely accurate. They do not use Gynostemma pentaphyllum to treat any specific disease, but use it as a tonic drink to improve overall health. When feeling tired and lethargic, they only need to drink a bowl of Gynostemma pentaphyllum water, they will feel refreshed and their body will regain its strength.

Women in the village use it to keep fit and have rosy skin. The elderly drink it to eat well, sleep well and reduce joint pain. Children drink it to increase resistance and reduce illness. It is this variety of uses and effectiveness in maintaining lasting health that has prompted scientists to conduct further research on this plant.

The way people use it is also very simple. They harvest the entire stem and leaves of the vine, which can be used fresh or dried in the shade (yin can) for later use. When using, they just need to take a small handful, wash it, and steep it in boiling water, just like how we make tea. Gynostemma pentaphyllum water has a light yellow-green color, and at first, when you drink it, you will feel a slight bitterness on the tip of your tongue, but immediately after that, a sweet taste spreads, lingering in your throat for a long time, creating a feeling of comfort and ease.

The discovery of Gynostemma pentaphyllum in Vietnam is one of the most typical examples of science learning from folk experience. If it were not for the H'Mong and Dao people's habit of drinking Bsa, we would have missed one of the most precious medicinal herbs of the Northwest mountains and forests.

In the high mountains of Hoang Lien Son, there are many precious medicinal herbs that are good for health.

Scientific analysis of Hmong treasures

What made Gynostemma pentaphyllum attract great attention in the medical world was when scientists analyzed its composition. They discovered something surprising: this vine contains a large amount of saponin compounds – the most valuable active ingredient that creates the effects of Ginseng.

In fact, Gynostemma pentaphyllum contains more than 80 different types of saponins, many of which have chemical structures identical to those found in ginseng and Ngoc Linh ginseng (called Gypenosides).

Modern scientific research, both in the laboratory and in the clinic, has demonstrated a series of valuable uses of Gynostemma pentaphyllum, which completely coincide with the experience of using it to improve the health of indigenous people:

• Reducing blood fat (Reducing Cholesterol): This is the most prominent and well-known use. Gynostemma pentaphyllum has been proven to be extremely effective in reducing bad cholesterol (LDL), reducing triglycerides, and increasing good cholesterol (HDL). It helps prevent atherosclerosis and stroke.
• Stabilizing blood pressure and protecting the cardiovascular system: Gynostemma pentaphyllum has a two-way blood pressure regulating effect. It helps lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure and vice versa, helps increase blood pressure in people with low blood pressure. This regulatory mechanism is extremely valuable, helping to stabilize the cardiovascular system in a sustainable way.
• Support diabetes treatment: The active ingredients in Gynostemma pentaphyllum help stimulate the pancreas to increase insulin secretion and increase cell sensitivity to insulin, thereby effectively stabilizing blood sugar.
• Antioxidant and immune booster: Abundant amounts of saponins and flavonoids help the body fight free radicals, slow down the aging process, and stimulate the immune system, keeping the body healthy and increasing resistance to disease.

From a wild plant used by the H'Mong and Dao people to drink for health, Gynostemma pentaphyllum has become a precious medicinal herb widely used in modern medicine. The story of longevity tea is the clearest proof of the priceless treasure of indigenous medical knowledge, a bridge between millennial experience and science, opening up a new direction in community health care from what nature has to offer.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/giao-co-lam-tri-thuc-ban-dia-hoang-lien-son-va-gia-tri-y-hoc-hien-dai-169251105122650624.htm