Dew Drops
The Herbs in Dew Drops
American Ginseng
American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) is the most famous moisturizing herb in the world. It promotes fluid production throughout the body, helps regulate sugar balance and is a superb Qi tonic. American Ginseng is different than Asian Ginseng in that it is cooling.
Asparagus Root
Asparagus root tonifies the Kidney, Heart, Lungs and Stomach, but its most overt action is to promote fluids. Consistent consumption of Asparagus root is believed to promote lovely, smooth, radiant skin, and shiny hair. It helps moisten the lungs in a healthy way, and even helps reduce noxious fluids such as phlegm. Asparagus root is cooling to the body and helps reduce general inflammation.
Prince Ginseng
Prince Ginseng (Radix Pseudoginseng) is an excellent Qi tonic that can be used much as American Ginseng is used. It can tonify Qi while not creating excess heat. As a Yin tonic, it can be combined with American Ginseng to nourish the Lungs. Used with the other herbs in this formulation, it can generate fluids and allay thirst. Prince Ginseng is not in fact a variety of Ginseng, though it was traditionally used as a substitute for Ginseng either when Ginseng was inappropriate because it was too warm, or when Ginseng was too expensive or unavailable. It is a different kind of herb – it does not contain ginsenosides.
Lily Bulb
Lily bulb is primarily used to moisten the Lungs. It is very effective at relieving dry cough and dry throat. It has mild but effective influence on the emotions. It is capable of calming agitation and relieving anxiety, grief and despair.
Poria
Poria is very widely used in Chinese herbalism. It is traditionally used as a Qi tonic to benefit the internal organs. It is a solid fungus which grows on the roots of old pine trees. The Spirit Farmers Pharmacopoeia said that Poria is tranquilizing to the mind, and that long term taking of Poria can relieve hunger and lengthen the life.
It is a mild, safe and effective diuretic. It is used in hundreds of classical formulas to improve the flow of water through the body. It is especially commonly used in Qi tonics for this purpose. Poria is also mildly sedative. Poria is considered to be highly nourishing. It is one of the primary longevity herbs and is included in most longevity tonics. Recent research has discovered that Poria is a powerful immune system tonic. Poria has been found to induce the production in human beings of a-interferon. Since Poria was a popular food among the imperial concubines for its antiaging qualities, there are still two huge Poria from the Qing Dynasty kept on display in the Forbidden City (the Imperial Palace) in Beijing.
Licorice root
Licorice root is used as a harmonizing ingredient in many Chinese herbal formulations. It is used in more formulations than any other herb in Chinese herbalism. Though it is considered to be the quintessential “servant” herb, it is often referred to as the King of Herbs, in spite of the fact that Ginseng also bares the title. Its sweet and pleasant flavor help make some unsavory formulations palatable, and otherwise bland tasting formulas excellent. It is believed that Licorice root “harmonizes” the ingredients in an herbal formulation, eliminating harshness of action and promoting smooth activity of the herbs. It is therefore called “the Great Harmonizer.” It is thus extremely important in the Chinese herbal system, both tonic and medicinal. It is used in small quantities in a very wide number of formulations as a harmonizer. The herb is powerful and small doses are usually sufficient to achieve excellent results. Licorice is an excellent Qi tonic. This herb has a reputation as an excellent expectorant in the case of lung congestion. Furthermore, it is widely used as a tea to help relieve sore throat and pharyngolaryngitis. Millions of smokers use it to soothe their dry throats since Licorice root improves secretion of the throat mucosa. It is also used as an ingredient in teas used by singers, public speakers and others who utilize their vocal cords excessively. It increases vital energy. This herb is frequently used to strengthen the digestive and metabolic functions. It aids in the assimilation of nutrients and thus contributes to the building of blood. It is often used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Licorice contains chemical components which act similarly to cortisone, but without the side effects. It is useful for all sorts of inflammation, but usually it depends on the other herbs in a formula to determine where the formula will act. Licorice root has acquired the name in China of “the Great Detoxifier.” It is considered to be one of the primary detoxifying herbs in the Chinese herbal arsenal. Its reputation for this action goes back to the time of Shen Nong. It is widely believed that low level consumption of Licorice root will rid the body of poisons that would otherwise accumulate and cause disease or functional disorder if not cleaned out. In particular, it is believed to clean the blood and the liver. Though there are many detoxifying agents used in Chinese herbalism, many of them are harsh. Licorice root, on the other hand is mild and devoid, for most people, of side effects. It can of course be used proactively, which makes it more generally useful than medicinal herbs.
Traditional Function: Yin, Qi, Shen and Moistening
Who can use it? Anyone, and especially those who are dry
Concentration: 8:1
Specifications: 2 Fl. Oz.
Precautions: This formulation is best not be used when experiencing cough due to invasion of wind-cold and by those with cold Spleen with diarrhea
Ingredients: Chinese Asparagus root, American Ginseng root, Psuedostellaria root tuber, Poria sclerotium, Lily flower, Chinese Licorice root
Other Ingredients: Water and alcohol
Usage: 3-12 droppers per day or as directed by your health care practitioner
Remember Ron Teeguarden’s “First Rule of Tonic Herbalism,” summed up in a single word –Compliance. If you don’t take the herbs, they won’t work.”