This highly prized adaptogenic herb has a very long history of use in China where they call it Xiancao, (immortal grass or herb of immortality). Indigo Herbs has sought out this adaptogentic botanical because of its ability to help generate a serene and healthy glow for all who use it. This comes in the form of Indigo Herbs Gynostemma Powder that has a dynamic range of applications and can be used by all.

Legend has it that the Chinese Emperor Fu Shou (lucky immortal) was one day visiting a distant region of his empire. Whilst stopping for respite, his servants boiled some water for everyone to drink (as was their custom to sanitize the water). As the water boiled, dried leaves from a nearby plant fell in and an aromatic liquid was created. Curious, the emperor drank some and found it very refreshing, soothing, slightly bitter as well as a little sweet. Thus Gynostemma / Jiaogulan tea was discovered. By the 13th century Gynostemma / Jiaogulan tea appeared in Chinese meditation texts. By the 16th century, the immortality herb was listed in a variety of holistic texts throughout China. In the 70s, a nationwide census in China identified a mountainous area with the largest percentage of centenarian inhabitants. Research into the lifestyle of these centenarians revealed a common dietary element; they all drank Gynostemma / Jiaogulan tea regularly.

Gynostemma is a member of the cucumber (cucurbitaceae) family and its natural habitat is southwest China. Unlike its relations in the same species it bears no fruit. Also this plant is dioecious meaning that both a male and female plant need to be present to make seed. This vine climbs and supports itself using tendrils that coil around other plants. The flowers are small, fleshy and open out into a pale green star shape.