Ginseng is, in my opinion, one of the more mis-understood of the Chinese Tonic Herbs. It is powerful and must be used intelligently and in the proper way for it to be effective. Chinese ginseng, officially known as Panax Ginseng, is one of the most famous, health promoting and valued herbs used by mankind. Ginseng is an energy tonic that helps regulate the human energy system. It has been shown to be stimulating and regulatory to both the central nervous system and to the endocrine system. It is the primary Chi tonic of Chinese tonic herbalism. Simultaneously, it helps to calm the nerves and improve the human spirit.
Ginseng helps a person to adapt to all kinds of stress, promotes endurance and enhances resilience under stressful conditions. By aiding in our ability to adapt appropriately to stressful conditions, it helps us survive and even thrive under otherwise difficult conditions, thus ginseng is one of the most famous adaptogenic herbs. Because it is a great chi tonic, it also is used to tonify digestive and respiratory functions. Ginseng contains many active constituents, the most important being the saponins called ginsenosides. Ginsenosides specifically improve adaptability, help our response to stress, and are believed to help build muscle and endurance. Therefore Ginseng is very popular with athletes and those who perform hard physical and mental work.
There are many varieties of ginseng, all of which have distinct characteristics. Most high quality ginseng is good for men and women alike. This ginseng has a warm energy so I like to combine it with things like Goji or Reishi to cool it down a bit.
Supplement Facts
Serv. Size: 1/2 tsp | Serv. Per. Cont.: 30
10:1 Chinese White Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) extract
Other Ingredients: None
Suggested Use: 1/2 – 1 tsp twice daily, AM and PM, or more as recommended by your health care professional.
Of all the Chinese Tonic Herbs, the Goji Berry is one of the most famous and most revered. The English Edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China describes the “action” of goji: “To benefit the liver and the kidney, to replenish vital essence and to improve eyesight.” The sexual function is controlled by the liver and kidney. The liver is often associated with potency since the liver meridian circulates through the genitals and in charge of procreative energy and the type of willfulness associated with sexual drive and libido. Kidney energy is associated with hormonal functions of the adrenals and reproductive glands, and especially with testosterone.
Jing is the fundamental energy of life that is inherited from our parents and is closely associated with our genetic makeup and potential. It is often associated with the reproductive cells, and especially with sperm cells and the vitality of the sperm cells. Jing, however, exists in every cell of our body, and it is gradually used up as we live. When our jing is depleted, we age much more quickly. If we can conserve and replenish jing, than we can slow down the aging process.
Goji is well known for it’s profound anti-fatigue, immune potentiating and immune regulating, skin beautifying, DNA protecting, blood sugar regulating and blood lipid regulating effects. This makes it one of the most broad spectrum and well tolerated tonic herbs.
Many of the Chinese Tonic Herbs are rich sources of antioxidants and Goji is no exception. Goji supports our innate antioxidant system by powerfully stimulating SOD (superoxide dismutase) production and activity. SOD has been dubbed the “youth enzyme.” SOD protects our cells (including the cells of the brain, heart, kidneys, liver and other organs) from the ravages of internally-generated toxins, as well as from toxins and other stressors introduced from the outside environment.
On top of it’s antioxidant benefits, goji is an excellent tonic for the immune system because, like medicinal mushrooms (reishi & corcyceps), it has a rich concentration of the immune modulating chemicals called polysaccharides. These polysaccharides modulate our immune system. This means if your immune system is excessive(auto-immune), it will be calmed down to a level of homeostatis. If your immune system is deficient or under-functioning, it will be brought up to a level of homeostatis. Consistent and long-term consumption of herbs rich in polysaccarides contributes to an over-all strengthing and balancing effect on your immune system.
Goji is also very nutrient dense, as most Chinese Tonic Herbs are. It contains polysaccharides, 18 amino acids, 6 essential fatty acids, vitamins B1, B2, B6, E (not commonly found in fruit), more beta carotene than carrots, as much vitamin C as contained in lemons or oranges, and more than twenty trace minerals including calcium, organic germanium, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, and iron.
If you want to consume a natural form of vitamin C on a daily basis, goji is an excellent choice. It is estimated to be as rich in vitamin C as fresh lemons. Also, it contains a unique precursor of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), known as ascorbic acid 2-beta-G, which is very easily assimilated by the body. This makes goji an ideal thing to take along with the medicinal mushrooms. This is because vitamin C has been shown to potentiate the effects of polysaccharides 7x-10x.
Supplement Facts
Serv. Size: 1/2 tsp | Serv. Per. Cont.: 30
8:1 Goji (Lycium Barbarum) extract
Other Ingredients: None
Suggested Use: 1/2 – 1 tsp twice daily, AM and PM, or more as recommended by your health care professional.
Cordyceps is one of the absolute superstars of the Chinese Tonic Herbal system. It is an extremely effective and powerful life-enhancing agent, ranking right up there with other Chinese Tonic Herbs like Ginseng, Reishi and Deer Antler. This rare and precious herb is considered to be a moderately Yang primal essence (Jing) tonic of the highest stature.
Cordyceps is used to strengthen the body and mind at a fundamental level. It is said to be able to increase the “primary motive force for life activities.” Because it contains both Yin and Yang it can be used by anyone safely and over a long period of time. It replenishes Yin Jing, restoring the deep energy expended as a result of excessive exertion, adapting to stress or from aging. Cordyceps is thus one of the primary herbal substances used in tonic herbalism as an anti-aging agent and for the purposes of rejuvenation.
Cordyceps is very widely used for the purposes of strengthening the primal Kidney functions, which include sexual functions, brain power, structural integrity and healing ability. It is a very powerful Yang tonic. As a sexual tonic, Cordyceps is considered to be one of the best. It is commonly used for impotence, sexual malaise, frigidity and infertility.
Consistent use of Cordyceps helps to strengthen the skeletal structure, and specifically benefits the lower back region, the knees and ankles. It is used for backache due to injury, fatigue, stress or simple aging.
Cordyceps is also a major Lung tonic. It can be used to strengthen respiratory power in those who require extra energy in order to perform physical work (e.g. labor, sports or exercise) or it can be used by those who suffer from deficiency of Lung power. It is especially beneficial to those who suffer chronic Lung weakness with cough, wheezing or shortness of breath.
Cordyceps is considered in Asia to be a powerful athlete’s tonic. It has no steroidal constituents, but greatly improves performance and muscle building capability.
Cordyceps is highly regarded in China as a tonic for those who are recovering from an illness or an operation, or after giving birth. In these cases, the Cordyceps helps the patient recover their physical power, to improve their appetite, and to protect the body from infection.
Many studies now indicate that Cordyceps can help the body resist a wide range of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses. Cordyceps is used in Asia to help treat fungus and yeast infections, and intensive research is being conducted at dozens of institutions in China and Japan relating to the potential of Cordyceps to treat certain varieties of cancer.
Supplement Facts
Serv. Size: 1/2 tsp | Serv. Per. Cont.: 30
8:1 Cordyceps CS-4 (Cordyeps Sinensis) extract
Cordycepic Acid (D-Mannitol) – 14 %
Polysaccharides – 20 %.
Adenosine – .30 %
Other Ingredients: None
Suggested Use: 1/2 – 1 tsp twice daily, AM and PM, or more as recommended by your health care professional.
Constant consumption of this famous “longevity herb,” also known as Fo Ti, is said in the Orient to help return an aging person to youthfulness. It is a classic Yin essence (Jing) tonic, as well as a major blood tonic.
It is one of the primary Jing tonic of Chinese herbalism and is unsurpassed in its ability to provide deep, primordial energy (Jing, essence) to the cells of the body via the kidney systems. Ho Shou Wu supplements the human body’s “functional reserve.”
It is widely used in Chinese tonic herbalism as a tonic to prevent premature aging by tonifying the kidney and liver functions, toning up Jing (vital essence), nourishing the blood, and fortifying the muscles, tendons and bones.
Like other Chinese Tonic Herbs, such as Cordyceps, Deer Antler, and Goji, it is used to enhance sexual drive, increase sperm count, and strengthen sperm and ova. It is widely used in Asia to maintain the youthful condition and color of the hair.
Ho Shou Wu also has a calming, grounding effect on the nervous system and for this reason it has been consumed by almost every Taoist that has ever lived, and is fundamental to the practice of the Taoist inner arts.
The extraction is made from roots that are 3 – 5 years of age.
Supplement Facts
Serv. Size: 1/2 tsp | Serv. Per. Cont.: 30
8:1 Prepared Ho Shou Wu (Polygonum Multiflorum) extract
Other Ingredients: None
Suggested Use: 1/2 – 1 tsp twice daily, AM and PM, or more as recommended by your health care professional.
Reishi Mushrom is, in my opinion, the most important of the Chinese Tonic Herbs. For over three thousand years it has been the most sought after substance in nature by mountain sages and by the emperors and empresses of the east. The first Chinese herbal text (Shennong’s Pharmacopeia) written about 2400 years ago said that “continuous consumption of Reishi makes your body light and young, lengthens your life and turns you into one like the immortal who never dies.” Thus Reishi was traditionally called the mushroom of immortality.
As a Jing tonic, Reishi is believed to have major life lengthening effects when consumed over a long period of time. It is believed to build primal power and to replenish energy spent handling stressful situations.
As a Chi tonic, Reishi is used to build energy, although it is slightly sedative in the short run. Reishi is believed by Japanese and Chinese researchers to have a regulatory effect on the immune system, bringing up immune functions in cases of immunodeficiency and reducing the excesses associated with auto-immune conditions. Reishi is a superb tonic for people who suffer from chronic allergies.
Of all the Chinese Tonic Herbs, Reishi is simply the greatest Spirit tonic. It is believed by the Chinese to protect the Spirit and to nurture the growth of intelligence, wisdom and spiritual insight.
Everyone who takes Reishi notices the peacefulness that seems to accompany its use. And Reishi seems to be cumulative, gradually strengthening the nerves and actually changing how we perceive life.
It has been used by spiritual seekers throughout history because it was believed to help calm the mind, ease tension, strengthen the nerves, improve memory, sharpen concentration and focus, build will power and, as a result, help build wisdom. That is why it was called the “Mushroom of Spiritual Potency” by these seekers.
Supplement Factsci
Serv. Size: 1/2 tsp | Serv. Per. Cont.: 30
10:1 Organic Duanwood Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum) extract
Other Ingredients: None
Suggested Use: 1/2 – 1 tsp twice daily, AM and PM, or more as recommended by your health care professional.
If you have any questions about these powerful and time tested Chinese Tonic Herbs, contact me using the page here. Also, check out my YouTube channel at http://hyperiontv.com.