The Bite Magazine - Autmn/Winter 2020 - Issue 28

W idely natural with beneficial health properties, Jiaogulan is a plant that grows wild in the deep mountainous regions of Asia and used to make medicine. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Southern Ginseng’ be- cause it grows primarily in south central China and is used in similar ways to gin- seng. Physician Zhu Xiao discovered it in 1406 CE at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty. He presented a description and sketch in his book Materia Medica for Famine of the plant as a survival food rather than a medicinal herb. In 1578, renowned herbalist Li Shi-Zhen identified Jiaogulan’s medicinal proper- ties in his book Compendium of Materia Medica and stated it could be used as a treatment for tumours, trauma, oedema (swelling), the pain of the pharynx and neck, and hematuria (blood in the urine). However, he mistook the health plant for an analogous herb called Wulianmei. Al- most three hundred years later, author Wu Qi-Jun rectified the confusion be- tween the two plants in his book Textual Investigation of Herbal Plants. Jiaogulan, described as a herb of immor- tality, is used as an energising tonic in southern China. It is said drinking the ‘Xiancao’ tea in the morning increases your strength and endurance and having it again in the evening relieves fatigue and promotes relaxation and quality sleep. In Asia, the plant is recognised as a rejuve- nating general health elixir that can be taken to treat numerous conditions, in- cluding common colds and other infec- tious diseases. Inhabitants of villages in the Fanjing Mountain, in the province of Guizhou, southwest China were studied. It found that many lived to and beyond the age of 100 as a result of drinking the tea dai- ly. After gaining wide recognition in the 1970s, further studies discovered Jiaogu- lan has other health benefits such as re- ducing high cholesterol, lowering high blood pressure, and improving heart function in the body. It possesses the most wide-ranging benefits for health and wellness than any plant yet discov- ered. In Japan, it is called Amachazuru, which translates as ‘sweet tea vine’ because a component in the leaves gives it a mild- ly sweet taste. As well as being used as a natural sweetener, it is known as an adap- togen and antioxidant. Its adaptogenic constituents are gypenosides which are structurally related closely to the ginse- nosides in the medicinal plant ginseng. Interestedly, the Jiaogulan (or Amachazu- ru) plant is dioecious, meaning each plant exists either as male or female. After spending time in the mountainous hills of the Far East, INNERJI co-found- ers Moshe Parham Sassoni and Daniel Rubens discovered Jiaogulan. They made it their mission to share the wide-ranging benefits of this super herb with the world. Combined with B1 and B12 vitamins, the vegan-friendly and gluten-free INNER- JI works with your body to help activate blood flow and circulation. It also in- creases the supply of oxygen and nutri- ents to your muscles and tissues, contrib- uting to overall wellbeing. The all-natural refreshment can be con- sumed on its own or mixed into a cock- tail. Moshe Parham Sassoni said, “With a recipe set for success, we are thrilled to be the first to market the very first all-nat- ural drink containing the immortality herb. Unlike other ‘natural drinks’ that work to stimulate the body, INNERJI is the first-ever beverage that is completely free of caffeine, providing energy natural- ly to the body, whatever the time of day.” INNERJI is indeed the first caffeine-free carbonated low sugar tonic made with the unique antioxidant properties of Jiaogu- lan. It contains energising properties that increase strength and endurance natural- ly to give you the energy boost you need. The Tropical Lime flavoured beverage is delicious, enjoyable, and refreshing. When I tried the drink, I was pleasantly surprised at the richness of the zingy fla- vour as I found similar beverages to have an unpleasant aftertaste. A pack of six 250 ml cans is available from the INNERJI shop online, or you can pick up a can from stockists at The Hampstead Butcher, Anthony Delicatessen, Karma Bread, Brownie Box, Laurents Delicates- sen, Pita, Black Truffle, and ABASTO in London. https://innerjidrink.com Revitalise The Source Within IN II bitedrinks