longevity (29)

Spring Dragon Longevity Tea The Healthiest Tea on Earth   The Multifunctional “Magical grass”   In Asia, Gynostemma is known as a “magical grass.” It has been reported to have a wide range of health-promoting benefits   In Asia, Gynostemma is considered to be*   Invigorating (does not cause hyperactivity – not a stimulant) Calming (promotes a sense of peace – not a sedative) Anti-aging (antioxidant and more) Anti-inflammatory (not as a medicine, but to help reduce the factors that cause low grade, sub-clinical chronic inflammation experienced by all humans) Immune-regulating (not as a medicine, but to help support the normal healthy functioning of various immune functions) A respiratory tonic (improve respiratory efficiency) A digestive aid (Gynostemma is very soothing)   Gynostemma has been shown in animal studies to have liver and cardiovascular-protecting benefits and to support normal healthy functioning in these organs.*   The ultimate greatness of Gynostemma lies in its broad spectrum adaptogenic (stress modulating) quality.* Adaptogenic herbs improve the efficiency of the metabolic, neurological, immunologic, respiratory and endocrine systems. Prolonged consumption of Gynostemma tends to have a highly protective quality because it strengthens the adaptive capacity of the person at every level of their life.*   Gynostemma has a double-direction activity in many areas*   Gynostemma has the ability to bring balance to the body under a wide range of stressful circumstances.   Japanese studies have indicated that Gynostemma has a double-direction, regulating, adaptogenic influence on thecentral nervous system. It is calming when one is overexcited and invigorating when one is fatigued. Gynostemma is widely known for its “spirit-lifting” effect on one’s mood. Gynostemma may have a direct strengthening effect on the heart*   Gynostemma has developed an enormous reputation in Asia as a major aid in weight management programs   Gynostemma has been shown to have a double-direction activity with regard to weight. Gynostemma can be useful in reducing excessive body fat, when combined with a reasonable exercise program and a healthy diet that modulates caloric intake.  Gynostemma may also help athletes, body builders or excessively slim people to gain weight. Gynostemma accelerates the body’s metabolism and helps adjust blood sugar and blood fat levels. Adjusting blood sugar and blood fat are critical steps in attaining healthy metabolic function, whether one wants to lose weight by reducing excessive body fat, gain weight by building lean muscle, or maintain healthy weight by helping regulate bodily functions. Although Gynostemma is not laxative, it may help maintain healthy bowel movements. Gynostemma acts as a scavenger in the stomach and intestines, ridding the body of toxins, toxic microbes and waste that otherwise may become lodged in the intestines. Gynostemma protects the stomach lining.*   Gynostemma has potent antioxidant, and concomitant anti-inflammatory activity   Gynostemma is a potent antioxidant that protects cell membranes from oxidative injury which can result in chronic inflammation.*   The main active ingredients in Gynostemma are known as saponins   The saponins in Gynostemma are called gypenosides. There are over 100 gypenosides in Gynostemma. These gypenosides are responsible for the hepato-protective and adaptogenic qualities of this tonic herb.*   The Story of Spring Dragon Longevity Tea   In 1972, a group of Japanese researchers reported that Gynostemma tea was being consumed as a daily “longevity tea” by large numbers of southern Chinese people. It was revered in the regions where it grew as “magical grass” because of its many reputed health benefits. Subsequently, studies conducted first in Japan revealed that Gynostemma was extremely rich in saponins that were extremely close to those found in ginseng and Siberian ginseng. As it turned out, Gynostemma is even richer in these saponins than ginseng. Gynostemma tea had generally been made from wild mountain Gynostemma pentaphyllum plants, but as Gynostemma reputation as a longevity herb grew, farmers learned to cultivate it. Within a decade, Gynostemma was being consumed by millions of Asians as a tonic tea.   in 1992, Ron Teeguarden was traveling to China to oversea a production run of tonic herbal formulations. Because of a ticketing mistake, he was upgraded to first class. By coincidence, he was seated on the long flight from San Francisco to Beijing next to Professor Xiao Peigun. Also, by “coincidence,” Ron had an photocopied article written by Professor Xiao in his travel bag. The article was entitled “Anti-Aging Chinese Herbs.” Xiao Peigun, as it turned out, was Director of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development inBeijing, a major research institute belonging to the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. He was also head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine, Commissioner of the Committee on Pharmacopeia for the People’s Republic of China and a Commissioner of New Drug Evaluation for the PRC. In other words, he was one of the most powerful and knowledgeable herbal experts in the world. Because Ron had his article on the plane, Professor Xiao took Ron under his wing. When Ron met with Professor Xiao at the institute, he asked Professor Xiao if he knew of any special tonic herbs with significant anti-aging qualities. Professor Xiao responded instantly that Gynostemma was exactly what I was looking for. Professor Xiao introduced Ron to the supplier of the highest quality Gynostemma in China and Ron was ready to develop a product.   Gynostemma is traditionally consumed as a tea, just like green tea. It is delicious as well. At the same time, Ron had come across a special, traditional Chinese method of brewing “longevity teas” by supersaturating extracted herbs into tea leaves. Ron decided to use this ancient technology to supersaturate Gynostemma leaves with a number of other tonic herbs that had traditional reputations as longevity herbs. With the help of Yanlin, he found a tea master who knew the secret of preparing the “longevity teas.” After experimenting for several months at Yanlin’s parents home in China, the final tea was determined and thus was born Spring Dragon Longevity Tea.   In Addition to Gynostemma   Schizandra – Called the “quintessence of Chinese herbs,” Schizandra is a delicious, exotic tonic fruit that is traditionally used to tonify all the systems of the body, clean the liver, open the lungs, nourish and moisturize the skin, and sharpen the mind. It is a potent antioxidant.*   Goji Berries – Known in Asia as a premier “longevity and anti-aging herb,” this delicious tonic fruit is a true superfood, rich in antioxidants. It is famous for enhancing strength, vision and beauty. Goji is rich in immune-potentiating polysaccharides.   Astragalus – One of the most important herbs in all of herbalism, Astragalus is highly regarded for its immune-regulating, immune-potentiating effects. It is also a potent energy tonic and blood tonic.   Eleuthero – Also known as “Siberian Ginseng,” Eleuthero is famous for its ability to enhance physical and mental endurance, to help us handle stress more efficiently and as a gentle mood elevator. Eleuthero, like ginseng and Gynostemma, is rich in saponins. It is the ultimate adaptogenic herb.   Luo Han Guo – This delicious, exotic fruit has been used for centuries as a lung tonic. It contains mogroside, a potent immune-potentiating glucoside.   Traditional Function  Adaptogenic, antiaging, immune regulating, anti-inflammatory, blood sugar regulating, fat reducing, tonifying to the Lungs, Heart, Spleen/Pancreas, Liver and Kidney, and detoxifying    Who can use it? Anyone   Concentration: Whole cut Gynostemma tea; concentrated herbal extract (8:1)   Specifications: 20 teabags per box   Precautions   If you are under a doctor’s supervision for cardiovascular disease, check with your physician prior to using this or any herbal product.    Usage: Drink 1 – 3 tea bags a day, making from 1 to 10 cups of tea

  He Shou Wu He Shou Wu (pronounced huh – similar to English "huh", but not as open – show woo) is one of the most popular and highly revered tonic herbs in Asian herbalism. He Shou Wu is the prepared tuberous root of Polygonum multiflorum, a plant that grows in the mountains of central and southern China. It shares the position as the primary essence (Jing) tonic of Chinese herbalism with the Gojiberry.  By virtue of its ability to accumulate tremendous quantities of Qi into its root, this herb can tonify the human and animal organs and can tonify and nourish the blood. He Shou Wu is not a stimulant. However, it is one of the greatest energy tonics known to mankind. Its action is cumulative, as any truly healthy tonic dietary supplement would be. Because it is a very mild sedative, it will calm the nervous system. So it can be said that He Shou Wu is both energizing and calming. That is the magic of a great tonic herb.   He Shou Wu helps maintain the strength and stability of the lower back and knees. It is used to maintain youthful sexual drive, normally abundant sperm count in men and to support the health of the ova in women. It is widely used in Asia to maintain the youthful condition and color of the hair. It can calm the nervous system. It has components that are potent antioxidants with gentle actions in the liver and the eyes.  Its strength partially comes from its remarkable ability to support and maintain the healthful cleaning functions of the kidney and liver, which in turn clean the blood.  He Shou Wu is a good source of iron. He Shou Wu contains potent antioxidants and in antioxidant-potentiating molecules. He Shou Wu supports the body’s innate ability to efficiently clear superoxide, the highly reactive free radical, from the body. Free radicals are produced at every moment of our life as part of the living process and our health depends upon our clearing them from our body on a moment to moment basis. This support generally comes from foods and herbs humans consume. It is widely believed that the SOD-generating capacity of HeShou Wu is one of the reasons it is considered by many to have “anti-aging” and “longevity increasing” activity. These actions help maintain healthy physical and mental functions and structures.   He Shou Wu contains zinc. Zinc is an essential trace mineral required by all forms of life. Numerous aspects of cellular metabolism are zinc-dependent. Zinc plays important roles in growth and development, the immune response, neurological function and reproduction. Zinc is important to our sexual and reproductive functions.  He Shou Wu has been found to support fundamental immunological functions. He Shou Wu has been found to improve adrenal gland functioning.  He Shou Wu is unsurpassed in its ability to provide deep, primordial energy (Jing, essence) to the cells of the body via the Kidney system as described in Chinese health philosophy. He Shou Wu supports the human body’s “functional reserve.”  He Shou Wu is widely used in Chinese tonic herbalism as a tonic to promote healthy aging by tonifying the Kidney and Liver functions, toning up Jing (vital essence), nourishing the blood, and fortifying the muscles, tendons and bones.  The Legend of He Shou Wu Li Ao from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) wrote a book called “The Legend of He Shou Wu” documenting in detail its discovery.  Neng Si is the name of the man who is said to have discovered He Shou Wu in China. “Neng Si was born with a weak constitution. Due to his chronic frailty, he had never been able to marry and as time went by had given up on the prospect of either marrying or bearing children. In addition, he had taken to strong liquor. Nevertheless, he was an enthusiastic follower of Taoism and often shadowed his Taoist teacher in the mountain.   “One day, at the age of 58, he fell into a drunken stupor in the forest. When he awoke, he observed a pair of vines entwined for more than 3 yards. He thought to himself that they appeared to be making love, and in a whimsical mood he dug up the root of the plant, which he took back to his cottage. No one in the local village recognized the herb. A hermit from the mountain saw it, however, and told him, "This climbing plant struck you as peculiar, now surely it is supposed to serve you as a divine tonic. Why don't you take it”?  “He agreed and ground up the root into powder and swallowed a small amount on an empty stomach. In seven days, he started to “realize the Tao of Muman.” He started to feel an unknown vitality flowing through his veins and after a little while he noticed certain urges starting to develop. Soon this previously hapless guy began to experience something very unfamiliar to him – incredible virility – he could barely control his sexual desire. Over the next several months, he became strong. He decided to continue taking the herb, doubling his dosage. In several years, his hair grew dark again, and his appearance became youthful. Over the next ten years, he fathered several boys and changed his name to Neng Si, meaning “Capable of Bearing Offspring.””  Though the herb called He Shou Wu’s was well famed as an anti-aging tonic and a fertility enhancing sex tonic, it did not gain much attention from the health cultivationists (preservationists) after the He family had made it famous. Revered herbalist Li Shi Zhen, who authored a book named The Great Herbalism (published in 1578), the greatest contribution to the development of Chinese herbal pharmacy, noted that though He Shou Wu had been established for a long while, few people were taking the herb at the time. A royal endorsement from an emperor changed that. Ming Dynasty Emperor Shi Zong (reigned from 1521 to 1566) was gifted an herbal elixir called Seven Treasure Beard Beautifying Pill. He enjoyed “great success,” fathering several royal princes and credited the herbal formula for his success. This formula, with He Shou Wu as the main ingredient, became an instant hit among the commoners and He Shou Wu became a household herb throughout Asia ever since. Li Ao’s Personal Commentary on He Shou Wu Li Ao, the Taoist sage who recounted the Legend of He Shou Wu, is famous as the sage whose walk “resembled a swift wind.” He had this to say regarding his personal experience with the herb He Shou Wu: "I will reveal to you an herbal secret. Taking He Shou Wu helped me to father children. Originally, I preferred peace of mind, and under no circumstances did I want to take this herb, because I had heard it said that it was ‘harmful to peace of mind’ (referring to its stimulation of sexual desire). However, my spouse took it accidentally and we attained the greatest happiness (the highest level of sexual ecstasy). Since then I have continued taking this miraculous herb.” The Story of Li Qing Yuen There is a famous story that has been widely spread about a man named Li Qing Yuen, who, as the tale goes, is said to have lived to be 252 years old. All evidence indicates that this is not possible. Therefore, I believe the story of Li Qing Yuen must be viewed as a legend. Nevertheless, it is widely believed in Asia that Li Qing Yuen did indeed live and that he lived to extended age – certainly to be a centenarian.  The story is worth telling because it expresses the deep interest the Chinese have had in the art of longevity and provides some excellent life lessons. According to the story, Li Qing Yuen was born in  the mountainous southwest of China, he ran away from home at the age of eleven with three travelers. These travelers were in the herbal trade. Together the boy and his three teachers traveled throughout China, Tibet, and Southeast Asia, encountering many dangerous situations, but all the while studying the herbal traditions of all the various regions. As Li Qing Yuen became older, he became a practicing herbalist, and was well known for his excellence of health and amazing vigor. He was particularly interested in Taoist life cultivation and had a deep personal interest in tonic herbs. One day, when he was around fifty years old, he met a very old man who, despite of his venerable old age, could out-walk Li Qing Yuen. This impressed Master Li very much because he believed that brisk walking was both a way to health and longevity and a sign of inner health. Li Qing Yuen inquired as to the old sage's secret. He was told that if every day he consumed a "soup" of an herb known as gou qi zi (Lycium chinensis fruit - known to us as Goji berries or Wolfberries) he would soon attain a new standard of health. Of course Li Qing Yuen knew about this Gojibut had not made it a central part of his daily herbal regimen. Li Qing Yuen did just what the old sage suggested and continued to consume Goji soup from the time forward. Because of his radiant health and longevity, he was greatly revered by all those who knew him and he had many disciples who followed him. Even at a very old age, his sight was keen and his legs were strong, and he continued to take his daily vigorous walks. One day, he was on a journey through treacherous mountains. In the mountains he met a Taoist hermit who was much older than him. Impressed by the great illumination of the old Taoist, Li Qing Yuen begged the sage to tell him his secrets. The old Taoist, recognizing the sincerity of Li, taught him some deep secrets of Taoist Yoga (also known as the "Inner Alchemy") and recommended that Li change his diet and consume Ginseng daily, combined with He Shou Wu. It is said that Master Li also changed his diet accordingly, so as to consume very little meat, and even limited his consumption of root vegetables. He also limited his consumption of grain. Instead, he focused mainly on steamed above-ground vegetables and herbs. He supposedly died in 1930, reportedly after a banquet presented in his honor by a government official. He had married during his lifetime numerous times and lived through many generations of his own descendants, of which he had many.  Ron’s Note: I first reported on this story in 1984 in the book “Chinese Tonic Herbs (Japan Publications).” However, though I have tried, I have found that primary sources of documentation for Li Qing Yuen’s extreme longevity are non-existent. The story had first been reported, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, in a 1933 news agency filing as "the oldest man on earth", having been born in 1680 and just died at 253. The Guinness Book first identified him as Li Chung-yun and later as Li Zhongyun (1993 edition). The Guinness Book noted that “Li Chung-yun was said to have maintained a youthful appearance to the end, crediting it to Taoist wisdom and healthy living.” The story is representative of a tradition that is rich in the lore of Taoists living to ages unimaginable by us. It is well known that among the Chinese population, the Taoists have always far outlived all other people in Asia. Many have lived to be centenarians and few died prematurely. The Taoist art of longevity, known as the "Way of Radiant Health" is one of the great legacies of the East. The Taoist arts of longevity include tonic herbalism, qi gong, tai ji quan, Taoist yoga, Taoist sexual techniques and many of the martial arts.  The Science of He Shou Wu “Prepared” or “not prepared,” that is the difference. The tuber of He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) must be “prepared” in order to be used as a regularly-consumed tonic herb. Unprepared He Shou Wu does not possess the tonic effects and can have unwanted side effects. The freshly picked tubers are sliced, stewed in black bean soup (in a proportion of 10 parts He Shou Wu to 1 part black beans) until the soup is exhausted. The “prepared” roots are then dried. That is all there is to the “preparation.” Of course, no chemicals are used in the making of “prepared” He Shou Wu.   Active Constituents The tuberous root of Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu) has many active constituents. He Shou Wu is rich in anthraquinones, including many phospholipids such as lecithin (3.7%). A stilbene glycoside known as 2,3,5,4-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (henceforth refered to as “he shou wu super-glycoside”) is considered to be the principle active constituent responsible for He Shou Wu’s very powerful antioxidant activity. There are many similar stilbene glycosides present in He Shou Wu. The stilbeneglycosides in He Shou Wu are very similar to resveratrol. Several of the stilbene glycosides in He Shou Wu are stronger antioxidants than resveratrol. Prepared He Shou Wu extract increases the cellular antioxidant activity He Shou Wu supports the body’s innate ability to efficiently clear superoxide, the highly reactive pro-oxidant (free radical), from the body. This is a normal function that occurs trillions of times a day in every human being. All organisms maintain complex innate antioxidant systems to prevent damage by oxidation. Antioxidants are chemicals that reduce the rate of oxidation reactions. Oxidation reactions are chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons from one substance to an oxidizing agent.  Oxidation is a constant function of life that is accelerated by stress and many other factors. He Shou Wu is rich in potent antioxidants and in antioxidant-potentiating molecules.  Superoxide dismutase (SOD) Superoxide dismutase, generally referred to as SOD, is a class of closely related enzymes produced within the human body. Of all the antioxidants produced in the human body, SOD is king. SOD proteins are present in almost all aerobic cells and in almost all extracellular fluids. SOD transforms the superoxide radical into ions that are less reactive. These less reactive ions are then further transformed by the antioxidants catalase and glutathione into safe molecules. This transformation, called dismutation, is essential to life. He Shou Wu supports the normal dismutation process. SOD is much more powerful than any other antioxidant. No external antioxidant is comparable to SOD, as external antioxidants may deteriorate by the time they enter our blood stream and because they cannot match SOD’s performance in clearing free radicals.  He Shou Wu has been shown to help maintain youthful levels of SOD in laboratory animals even as they age. It is widely believed that the SOD generating capacity of He Shou Wu is one of the reasons it has been found to have anti-aging and longevity increasing activity. He Shou Wu enhances immunity He Shou Wu has been found to support fundamental immunological functions in mammals.  He Shou Wu enhances adrenocortical function He Shou Wu has been found to support adrenal gland functioning. He Shou Wu supports adrenal fortitude.  He Shou Wu traditionally functions as a Kidney tonic. Jing controls the functions of adrenal cortex.  He Shou Wu’s Blood Tonic Actions He Shou Wu enhances the proliferation of blood producing cells Scientific research supports He Shou Wu’s traditional function as a blood tonic. Prepared He Shou Wu can supports the hematopoietic(blood producing) function of the body. It does this by directly promoting the blood generating hematopoietic stem cells.  Improves red blood cell membranes Extracts of this herb have been demonstrated to help support the membranes of erythrocytes (red blood cells) and to support the growth and development of erythrocytes in test animals.  He Shou Wu is a rich source of lecithin which is an important raw material of red blood cell and other cell membranes (lecithin is also a major component of nervous tissues). Contains iron He Shou Wu contains iron, even more than other blood tonics such as Dang Gui and Goji. Supports Circulation Prepared He Shou Wu supports blood flow and in test animals.  Protects the Liver Classically, He Shou Wu is considered a Liver tonic. Many studies now support He Shou Wu’s protective and function-regulating actions on the liver. Throughout our lifetime liver cells continually replenish themselves. Adult humans do not die with the same liver they were born with. In experiments on mice, prepared He Shou Wu helps maintain healthy structural integrity of the liver. He Shou Wu acts as a powerful antioxidant in the liver. Furthermore, researchers have found that this herb can stabilize liver cells by supporting membrane mechanism. He Shou Wu is a good source of plant lecithin. He Shou Wu has a special tropism (attraction) to the liver.  A zinc supplement He Shou Wu contains zinc. The zinc content of prepared He Shou Wu is as high as 42 mg per 100 grams the herb. This is several dozen times higher than that of most herbs. Animal type foods are considered to be high in zinc, but they only have 3-5 mg per 100 gram, much lower than the 42 mg in He Shou Wu.  Zinc is an essential trace mineral required by all forms of life. Numerous aspects of cellular metabolism are zinc-dependent. Zinc plays important roles in growth and development, the immune response, neurological function, and reproduction. On the cellular level, the function of zinc can be divided into three categories: (1) regulatory, (2) catalytic, and (3) structural. Zinc supports the metabolism of testosterone, and supports sperm quality and motility. Effect on Memory Dietary supplementation with either ethanol or water extracts of He Shou Wu can help maintain brain function and support learning and memory ability. Potential Adverse Effects of He Shou Wu Adverse effects are not common (very rare) with extracts of properly prepared He Shou Wu. Potential adverse effects of this herb are mainly digestive canal reactions, usually resulting in thin stool in cases where the herb is not tolerated, and occasional light abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Raw, unprepared He Shou Wu is a laxative and should not be consumed as a tonic herb, i.e. on a long term basis. Some companies of He Shou Wu products are unaware of this issue and sell unprepared He Shou Wu, resulting in adverse effects.  “Prepared” versus “raw” He Shou Wu The tuber of He Shou Wu must be “prepared” in order to be used as a regularly-consumed tonic herb. The roots are sliced, gently stewed in black bean soup (in a proportion of 10 parts He Shou Wu to 1 part black beans) until the soup is exhausted. The “prepared” roots are then dried. That is all there is to the “preparation.” Of course, no chemicals are used to prepare He Shou Wu.   The Toxicity Difference: Prepared He Shou Wu has extremely low toxicity.  He Shou Wu has been used for over two thousand years as a tonic herb in China and other Asian regions. In Asia, He Shou Wu is considered to be extremely safe and suitable for long term and daily use. The LD50 tests for PREPARED He Shou Wu resulted in NO DEATHS, even after 1000 g/kg. On the other hand, the LD50 of RAW(Unprepared) He Shou Wu is 50g/kg, This means even if rats consume their body weight worth of prepared He Shou Wu, they survived. Prepared He Shou Wu is one of the safest herbs or foods known to science.  With an LD50  value of greater than 1000 g/kg, We are only recommending 6-12 capsules (about 3-6 grams) of He Shou Wu per day as a long term tonic dose. [LD50: The LD50 Alcohol Percolate Test – generally referred to simply as the LD50  is a standard toxicity test used in scientific research. The higher the number, the safer the test object. LD50 (Lethal Dose50) is the amount of a substance that, when administered by a defined route of entry (e.g. oral, injection or dermal, etc.) over a specified period of time, is expected to cause the death of 50 per cent of a defined animal population. If no deaths have occurred when the test subject has consumed its weight in the test substance without ANY deaths, the test substance is considered safe beyond question. A score of 1000 g/kg means that the test animal can consume its weight in test substance with 50% dying. But to have NO deaths at 1000 g/kg means the LD50 is actually much higher, but researchers tend to stop there because no animal or human will ever consume its weight in any substance in a short period of time.]  Chemical Constituent Difference – Why Prepared He Shou Wu Is Much Milder and Safer than Unprepared He Shou Wu The conjugated anthraquinones (such as emodin) present in unprepared He Shou Wu are laxative. After preparation, the amount of conjugated anthraquinones in He Shou Wu decreases, while the free form anthraquinones that have many health-supporting and protective benefits significantly increase. This is why prepared He Shou Wu has a much milder or nil laxative effect compared to raw, and why prepared He Shou Wu is so safe and effective.   Efficacy and Function Difference: The “preparation” eliminates the laxative effect of He Shou Wu and brings out the tonic effect. In addition to toxicity elimination, the special preparation process also enhances He Shou Wu’s therapeutic efficacy. He Shou Wu is known to support macrophages. In a test where mice were fed He Shou Wu prepared by different methods, or not prepared at all, at the dose of 6g/kg, only the prepared He Shou Wu that was stewed and steamed with black bean soup for 32 hours was shown to support the phagocytic activity of abdominal macrophage. He Shou Wu that was raw or prepared differently showed no obvious results.  Raw, un-prepared He Shou Wu is used as a laxative in Chinese herbalism, and is not used in tonic herbalism.  Dragon Herbs He Shou Wu products are always made from PREPARED He Shou Wu. Unfortunately, many nutritional supplement companies and marketers in America are unaware of this distinction between prepared and un-prepared He Shou Wu (Polygonummultiflorum). Raw He Shou Wu is of course less expensive, and that is often the driving force behind the way many herb companies make their purchasing decisions. As a result, He Shou Wu is sometimes blamed for the unwanted side effect of loose stool that results from the use of the incorrect herb (raw He Shou Wu). Again, Dragon Herbs is extremely aware of this issue and only uses PREPARED He Shou Wu to make its tonic products.* Dragon Herbs He Shou Wu Extract Capsules Concentration: He Shou Wu powdered extract is an 8:1 “pure yield” (100% natural) powdered extract of the highest grade Prepared Polygonummultiflorum tubers grown in the remote high mountains of Yunnan province, China.  Specifications: 100 capsules 450 mg each Precautions:  He Shou Wu is considered to be a very mild and safe herb. Mild gastrointestinal disturbance, characterized by soft stool, is the only side effect associated with Polygonum multiflorum. However, moderate doses of processed He Shou Wu rarely result in such an effect. Should this occur, the herb may be combined with certain other herbs, and the problem can be eliminated. Consult your herbalist. Again, this side effect is rare. Ingredients: He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) root extract (Organically Grown, Certified by ECOCERT). Other Ingredients: Vegetarian capsules**, rice hull extract. Usage  Take 3 capsules, 2 times per day or as directed by a healthcare professional.    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.”  **Pullulan caps 100% natural, water- soluble polysaccharide produced through a fermentation process; vegetable origin; non-GMO; no starch, preservatives or chemical modifications; gluten free.  

He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) is among the very elite healthy-aging tonic herbs in the world. It is traditionally used to support the Liver, Kidneys, Brain and Sexual organs.  Regular consumption of this famous “longevity herb,” the root of Polygonum multiflorum, is used in Asia to help return an aging person to youthfulness and to keep a young person young. It is an unsurpassed Yin Jing tonic, as well as a major blood tonic. It is said to increase energy and to clean the blood. As an essence tonic, it is believed to be a powerful sexual tonic when consumed regularly. He Shou Wu is widely believed in China to increase sperm production in men and to increase fertility in women. It is used in almost all tonics that are believed in the Orient to nurture the hair and teeth. This herb has been consumed by almost every Taoist for the last thousand years, and is fundamental to the practice of the Taoist inner arts. It has been rated on a premier website on Chinese culture as the number one herb in Chinese herbalism for health, well-being and longevity.* Dragon Herbs has an exclusive supplier that provides fully mature He Shou Wu roots that have grown in the ground in a Di Tao (authentic) region for at least 8 years before harvesting (compared to the 1-year-old average on the American market). This He Shou Wu is then prepared by slow cooking in a specific black been for over 36 hours, meeting and surpassing ancient and modern preparation requirements. Dragon Herbs’ advanced extraction process results in a rich, delicious, full-spectrum, complete He Shou Wu tonic elixir that may be used throughout one’s lifetime.* Ingredients: Organic He Shou Wu root extract. Traditional Function Tonifies Blood and Jing, enriches the hair. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. Bitter, sweet, astringent flavor. Slightly warming. Who can use it? Adults Specifications 2 fl. oz. (60 ml) Other Ingredients Water, grain alcohol (30% by volume) Dosage 3-12 Squirts per day as desired or as directed by a health care professional. Shake well before use. The king of Yin Jing tonic herbs Made with 8-year-old semi-wild He Shou Wu roots Prepared by the traditional method with black beans Supports blood production Supports Jing restoration AND Jing maintenance Helps protect the brain Supports healthy aging

The powers of seaweeds have been drawn upon for centuries for their ability to prolong life, prevent disease, impart beauty and health. Worldwide research is continuously being done and brown seaweed has been found to be the most beneficial type. MODIFILAN, is the purest, most natural nutritional supplement made from the brown seaweed Laminaria. Extract contains the life essential properties of Organic Iodine, Alginates, Fucoidan and Laminarin. Worldwide scientific studies and clinical research of these elements showed: *Organic Iodine feeds the Thyroid Gland, which controls metabolism and promotes maturation of the nervous system. Iodine is important for thyroid disorders, wherever underactive or overactive. *Alginate is a natural absorbent of radioactive elements, heavy metals and free radicals. It has the unique ability of binding heavy metals and radioactive elements to its own molecules. As the Alginate cannot be broken down by the bile or saliva and cannot be absorbed by the body, it is secreted from the body together with the heavy metals and radioactive substances. *Fucoidan causes certain types of rapidly growing cells to self-destruct. Promoting apoptosis, Fucoidan helps to naturally eliminate harmful cells from the organism. *Laminarin is a polysaccharide helpful for energy levels. These elements, treasured in brown seaweeds, are enhanced by special cold-temperature extraction technology, which does not break their molecular structure. And MODIFILAN is not just another dry seaweed product - it is highly concentrated product. FORTY pounds of raw seaweed is needed to make ONE pound of MODIFILAN. What does MODIFILAN do? - feeds the immune system. - Can help protect against thyroid issues. - Helps to decrease high blood sugar and harmonise cholesterol levels. - Detoxifies the body from heavy metals, radioactive elements, free radicals and toxins. - Helps those who are overweight by improving the function of the gastro-intestinal tract. - Improves the structure of hair and nails and help them to grow. - Help to detoxify smokers from strontium and cadmium. 

Heaven Mountain® Goji Berries, the only Goji berries that are snack-grade delicious™ Heaven Mountain® Goji Berries are plump, juicy, naturally sweet, and absolutely delicious. Unlike other Gojis on the market, Heaven Mountain® Goji Berries are sweeter, fleshier and have less seeds. They have a much higher moisture level which contributes to their texture as plump and juicy. Most Gojis on the market are rock hard. This is not without a reason. All the Gojis sold in the US come from China, whether they are labeled as Himalayan, Tibetan, or Wild. That translates to a very long transit time from the growing regions to the hands of the consumers. Typically, the berries reach the consumers at least 4-6 months after they are harvested. To stay shelf stable, most Goji farmers dry their Goji until the berries are very bone dry and very hard. After years of research and development, Dragon Herbs has developed a special handling process and a custom designed packaging that allows the berries’ natural moisture level to be retained while satisfying the shelf stability required in commercial trade nowadays. In a test conducted by an independent lab, Heaven Mountain® Goji Berries are shown to be twice as juicy as a competitor’s.  What makes Heaven Mountain® Goji Berries so special? Simply put, Heaven Mountain. Heaven Mountain is a remote mountain range in the northern region of Xin Jiang Province, China. In a more sophisticated way, the concept of Di Dao used in the world of herbalism can best describe the relationship between the geographical and geological features of the region and the phyto chemical profile of Heaven Mountain® Goji Berries.  The “Di Tao” of Herbs There’s a great concept in China known as Di Tao. The literal translation of Di Tao is “Earth Tao,” or “the Way of the Earth.” The Chinese dictionary definition of Di Tao is “from the place noted for the product ~ genuine, authentic, not from an inferior or counterfeit source.” According to the regulations of the Chinese Pharmacopeia, all herbal products manufactured and sold in China must utilize herbs that are Di Tao - that is, the herbs must come from a source that is considered legitimate and genuine. All plants are the product of their growing environment and conditions. Different regions have their distinctive make-up of water, soil, sunshine, climate, and biological distribution. The varying methodologies adopted by different regions in their cultivation, collection, and final preparation of the herbs further differentiate the herbs from different sources. The Di Tao source of an herb is gradually established through the historical use of the herbs. By documenting how herbs from different origins differ in their pharmacological effects on the human body, the regions or sources that produce the most desired results have slowly come to be recognized as the authentic genuine source, Di Tao, both by common knowledge among the practicing herbalists as well as by government supported official recognition in the materia medica. Heaven Mountain® Goji Berries is one such example. The water, the soil, the sunshine and the weather have the precise qualities necessary for producing the best, richest, tastiest, most potent Goji berries on Earth. As a result, they have an extraordinary and balanced phyto-nutrient profile.  Water As part of the enormous Gobi Desert that covers southern Mongolia and northern China, Xin Jiang receives little to no rain each year. Every drop of water in the growing fields is derived from the melted snow and glacial runoff from the pristine Heaven Mountain. This water is pure and structured – it is nature’s ultimate irrigation system.    Millions of people throughout Asia consume Goji berries every day for both their unique, satisfying flavor, and for their health benefits. In China’s first herbal encyclopedia, Shen Nong’s Materia Medica, written in the 1st century B.C., Goji was classified as a “superior tonic,” a class of herbs that people should take on an on-going basis to preserve youth and to promote general well being of life. Goji’s superior tonic classification has stood the test of time. Two thousand years later, Goji berries are still being consumed regularly throughout Asian civilizations for those purported reasons. We now know that Goji berries are a “high-ORAC” antioxidant-rich superfruit featuring important phytochemicals such a beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, betaine, polysaccharides (LBPs), trace minerals and vitamins.  Soil The virgin land of the Gobi Desert has little vegetation. It has a very high content of alkaline minerals. The pH level of the soil can be as high as 8.7 (17 times more alkaline than neutral) and the soil salt content can reach 1%. Few plants can survive in this kind of harsh environment. Goji, however, being an extremely adaptable plant, thrives here.  Daylight Duration Xin Jiang province has the longest daylight duration among all provinces in China (Tibet included). It averages 2550 to 3300 hours of sunshine per year. The intensive sun light allows for much more productive photosynthesis in the Goji plants, leading to more flesh, sweeter taste, and naturally, higher content of active ingredients such as Lycium Polysaccharides (LBP).  Precipitous Daily Temperature Fluctuation Another unique weather characteristic of Xin Jiang is the precipitous temperature fluctuation between day and night, usually as much as 36 to 45 °F within a single day. The locals joke that in Xin Jiang, no traveling is necessary in order to experience the four seasons within one day. It is quite common that you start the day with a winter jacket, strip down to a silk shirt at noon, then at night, you can enjoy their famous watermelons, next to a bonfire, that is. It is Heaven Mountain Goji’s superb adaptability that makes it a highly revered adaptogenic, stressfighting tonic herb. The Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China has officially certified Heaven Mountain goji berries as Di Tao.   

Shou Wu Formulation   Shou Wu Formulation is a Jing tonic designed to nourish the Kidney Yin, build and maintain Qi, and to enrich and maintain the blood. Shou Wu Formulation can be used as a basic Essence (Jing) tonic by men and women. It is a superb rejuvenation formula. The formula is headed by Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu), one of the most powerful tonic herbs known to mankind. In addition it contains other major tonic herbs. This product supports adaptability, enhances sexual and mental energy, supports the back and knees, supports hair growth, fortifies the senses, builds blood and supports the reproductive tissues and organs in healthy men and women. It is a primal Jing tonic that may be consumed for a lifetime.*    The Herbs in Shou Wu Formulation   He Shou Wu Root   Polygonum multiflorum is one of the most important and widely used Chinese tonic herbs. It shares the position as the primary essence tonic of Chinese herbalism with Goji Berry and Prepared Rehmannia Root. The He Shou Wu plant is traditionally believed to be capable of absorbing huge amounts of Qi from the earth it grows in, and stores this Qi in its root system. He Shou Wu (Polygonummultiflorum) is a tonic to the Kidney and Liver functions. It helps tonify the vital essence and blood. He Shou Wu is a very effective blood tonic. It has been used for this purpose for over two thousand years. Recent research corroborates this ability to build healthy red blood cells in healthy individuals. It supports healthy muscles, tendons and bones. It also helps support healthy aging, helps maintain the youthful condition and color of the hair, helps maintain healthy sperm and ova, and helps support the back and knees of normal, healthy individuals. It is the premier longevity herb of Chinese tonic herbalism.   Prepared Rehmannia Root   Prepared Rehmannia Root is traditionally said to be the “Kidney’s own food.”  It is a fundamental Kidney tonic in Chinese tonic herbalism, and is considered to be a primary longevity herb. It is found in a great many common “anti-aging” formulations. It is considered rejuvenating and life supporting.     Prepared Rehmannia Root is a fundamental Yin Jing tonic, providing Yin Jing directly to the Kidney system. The “Kidney” system in Chinese philosophy encompasses the tissues and functions associated with the skeleton, adrenals, sexual glands and organs, the renal system, and the ability to store Jing. Prepared Rehmannia Root is said to benefit sexual functions in men and women and is included in almost every formula that is designed to strengthen reproductive functions, including fertility in healthy individuals. It forms the Yin base of many men’s potency formulas.    Prepared Rehmannia Root is a major blood tonic in traditional Chinese herbalism. This is of course of special importance to women, who always need to rebuild blood. Prepared Rehmannia Root, when combined with Dang Gui becomes an even more potent blood tonic. Dang Gui is Chinese herbalism's premier blood tonic.    Prepared Rehmannia Root is usually combined with at least one Qi tonic to improve its assimilation and effectiveness. In this formula, Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng), a major Qi tonic, is used. Eleuthero is a superb adaptogen and is also an excellent blood tonic. It quickly increases vitality as well.   Aged Citrus Peel, Red Jujube Date, Licorice Root are all Qi tonics that have the special purpose of helping to regulate Qi and improve digestion and assimilation of the main herbs in this formula. He Shou Wu and, to an even greater degree, Prepared Rehmannia are very rich, so these three herbs are included to make the He Shou Wu and Prepared Rehmannia easily digestible.*   Traditional Function: Tonifies Yin Jing and Qi   Who can use it? Shou Wu Formulation can be used as a basic Essence tonic by anyone, young or old, male or female. It is a superb antiaging and rejuvenation formula.   Concentration: 10:1   Specifications: 100 Capsules 500 mg each   Ingredients: He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) root, Dang Gui root, Eleuthero root, Prepared Rehmannia root, Aged Tangerine rind, Red Jujube fruit, Chinese Licorice root.   Other Ingredients: Vegan capsules**, bamboo powder.   Usage:Take 3 capsules, 2 times per day or as directed by a healthcare professional   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.”   **Pullulan caps 100% natural, water- soluble polysaccharide produced through a fermentation process; vegetable origin; non-GMO; no starch, preservatives or chemical modifications; gluten free.

Schizandra & Lycium Drops, composed out of Schizandra and Goji (Lycium barbarum) tincture has served as the masthead of our tincture product-line for twenty-two years. Every month of every year, it is always our number one selling tincture. There must be something very special about it in order to maintain such dominance among elite herbal connoisseurs for over two decades without ever falling off the throne.According to the great Taoist Master Sung Jin Park, the blend can restore youthfulness, slow down aging, invigorate all twelve meridians, increase vitality, calm the nerves, nourish and cleanse our blood, protect the liver, strengthen the mind, improve sexual functioning for both men and women, improve respiratory functions and beautify the skin.Though this is a long list of potential benefits, Master Park's claims are based on over two thousand years of experience by Asian people with this combination. These claims are all classical benefits believed to be derived from these two remarkable tonic fruits.  What does Goji & Schizandra Drops do? Traditional and Modern Conventional Asian Functions Primary Functions: Promote radiant health on all levels and to protect the body and mind. To nurture Yin. Promote adaptability. To help maintain a happy healthy mood.Secondary Functions: Protect the liver. Nourish the blood. Strengthen the eyes. Help maintain healthy sexual function. Strengthen the mind.Treasures: Jing, Qi, ShenAtmospheric Energy: WarmTaste: Contains all five flavors: Sour, sweet, salty, pungent, slight bitter.Organ Associations: All 12 organ/meridian systems. Name Change We've changed the name from Schizandra & Lycium Drops to Goji & Schizandra Drops. Many people are looking for a quality Goji extract and we felt they could find it easier with the new name using the more popular nomenclature (the name "Goji" had not been coined when we first created the product 22 years ago). The product is still 50% Goji and 50% Schizandra, so in this regard there is no change. We hope all you "old timers" don't take any offense or become confused by this name change. Made with Fingerprint Identical Transfer Technology™ (FITT™) Over the years, we have made Goji & Schizandra Drops (formerly called Schizandra & Lycium Drops) with several different producers, each with slightly different extraction technologies, secrets and skills. For the last few years, we have been thinking about using FITT™ to make our tinctures, which is a green technology that uses a room temperature process to extract herbs so as to preserve all the valuable components in their natural state and proportion. This proprietary extraction technology captures the original phytochemical profile of a botanical (the plant’s fingerprint) and transfers its safely and almost identically into the final extract, preserving the aroma, color and taste of the plant perfectly.  Recently, we were overwhelmingly successful at extracting very high quality Deer Antler as a water-alcohol extract (a tincture) with FITT™. We were so impressed with what we got out of the Deer Antler that we have now switched our production of Goji & Schizandra Drops to FITT™. We’ve been working on it for more than two years and have produced samples with FITT™ a couple of different times to make sure we should make the switch. Each time, our herbalists and local testers raved about the samples and implored us to make the move. The results are amazing! We are surprised that a tincture could be this good! It is potent and it is incredibly delicious, in its own unique way of course (we’re sure you’ll love it). Our in-house herbalists and local clients have practically gone off the deep end for this new FITT™ Goji & Schizandra Drops.  

He Shou Wu is a chinese food grade tonic herb traditionally used for strengthening the kidney organ system and improving the primal essence 'Jing', one of the three treasures of health. It has been shown to have high levels of antioxidants and nutrition. It's document use dates back over a thousand yeas and He Shou Wu is now considered to be one the greatest plants in the world to promote health and longevity. What are herbal extracts? Herbal extracts are an excellent way of getting the nutrition and goodness from a herb, without the trouble of sometimes elaborate preparation. They are also a way of getting the goodness in as concentrated a form as possible. How are herbal extracts made? The raw herbs are prepared by hot water extraction, the water is then evaporated off until all that is lelf is the essential oils and active ingredients. These are then bound together in an excipient, small amounts of non-GM corn flour. This is the most pure and unadulterated way to enjoy tonic herbal extracts possible. Purity: this vegan product is free from wheat, gluten, soya, added sugar, salt, test, lactose, preservatives, or any other fillers. Not tested on animals. Directions: these tonic herbs are food grade and safe to use as you would culinary herbs. They can be added to any foods or drinks. Suggested uses are either to add 1/2 a teaspoon to a healthy juice or smoothie, or to prepare them as an instant tonic tea, but simply putting 1/2 a teaspoon in a cup or mug, and adding hot water. Recommended upper limit: do not exceed 1 teaspoon of herbal extract today unless guided to by a qualified healthcare professional.

Longevity Instant Tea Blend - 10:1 Extract containing 7 x Medicinal Mushrooms 100g (lion heart herbs)

Spring Dragon Drops   Spring Dragon Drops is the hydro-ethanolic extract of Gynostemma, one of China's premier adaptogenic tonic herbs, and five other major tonic herbs - Astragalus, Goji Berry (Lycium), Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng), Schizandra fruit and Luo Han Guo fruit. No sweeteners or other additives are used.   The Herbs in Spring Dragon Drops   All of the herbs are major tonic herbs with adaptogenic, antioxidant, immune-potentiating and organ protective benefits.   Gynostemma is generally reinforcing to overall health, and has a strong anti-fatigue effect. Gynostemma is universally believed inAsia to be an anti-aging herb. In China, Gynostemma pentaphyllum is widely believed to have the following health benefits: to slow down aging and to prevent feebleness at all ages, and in particular to reduce fatigue and increase vigor; to reduce oxygen deficiency, even at high altitudes; to improve digestion; to strengthen the mind; and to improve sex functions. It is also believed to help calm the nerves and to ease pain. Gynostemma has gentle generalized anti-inflammatory activity in the body and is a potent immune system tonic. It is thus said to possess bi-directional immune activity.   Astragalus root is a major adaptogenic Qi tonic herb widely known for its immune potentiating actions.   Goji berry (Lycium barbarum fruit) is a premier anti-aging Jing tonic, immune modulator and blood nourishing herb.   Eleuthero root (Siberian Ginseng) is a premier anti-aging, energizing, adaptogenic Qi tonic.   Schizandra berry is called the quintessence of Chinese tonic herbs because it is the only herb in the world known to tonify all three Treasures (Jing, Qi and Shen), to enter all twelve organ meridians and their associated organs, and to nurture all five elements (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal).   Luo Han Guo fruit is a tonic herb from Southern China that strengths respiratory functions and with strong immune potentiating activity.   This is an all-purpose tonic elixir based on six of the premier tonic herbs in the world.   Traditional Function: Tonifies Jing, Qi and Shen, eliminates false fire, vitalizes blood and improves circulation   Who can use it? Those who prefer the strong alcohol extract of the Gynostemma    Concentration: 8:1   Specifications: 2 Fl. Oz.   Ingredients: Gynostemma leaf, Schisandra fruit, Lycium fruit, Astragalus root, Eleuthero root, Luo han guo fruit   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.”

Goji LBP-40 Whole goji extract naturally standardized to 40% lyceum barbarum polysaccharides (LBP)   Goji (Lycium Fruit or Wolfberries)   Goji fruit, from the plant Lycium barbarum, is revered in Asia for its youth preserving, health protective, strengthening, and mood-elevating properties. It is one of the main herbs used in China’s amazing herbal system and is regarded as one of the elite tonic herbs in the world. The incredible efficiency of the antioxidants in Goji LBP-40 makes it a perfect tonic herbal supplement. Goji LBP-40 is naturally standardized to contain 40% Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides, or LBP. LBP is a constituent unique to Goji berries. LBP has been demonstrated to have profound anti-fatigue, immune potentiating and immune regulating, skin beautifying, DNA protecting, blood sugar regulating and blood lipid regulating effects.*   LBP 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. Goji LBP-40 is a full spectrum Goji berry extract, with every component of the world’s greatest superfood present. Consuming this herbal extract is equivalent to eating the fresh berries every day. The convenience of taking this herb in capsule form makes it an important addition to the tonic herb shelf in you home. In addition, the high concentration of LBP assures unsurpassed, powerful immunological and antioxidant protection.   Dragon Herbs Goji LBP-40 Capsules Goji LBP-40 is a 100% natural powdered extract of the highest grade Lycium barbarum fruit containing a minimum of 40% LBP (Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides), the optimum extraction ratio for this herb (a higher extraction ratio has been shown to reduce the efficacy of the product). This pure extract maintains all the constituents and activity of fresh goji berries with the added power of full LBP extraction. Goji LBP-40 contains all five known LBPs, carotenoids (zeaxanthin and beta-carotene), flavonoids, a vitamin C precursor that converts to vitamin C once it is absorbed into the blood stream, and is rich in zinc.   Asia’s Magical Anti-aging Fruit By Ron Teeguarden   It was 1994, and my wife Yanlin had a meeting with the president of a Chinese company that specialized in bee products, including honey and royal jelly. We were in Beijing for an international antiaging conference, and the business woman Yanlin was meeting collected honey from bees that make their honey from the “sap” that flows from goji berries on hot autumn days in the “goji belt” of northwestern China. I was at the meeting but did not directly participate because of the language situation (the woman had a strong accent that was way beyond my weak Chinese language skills). But I could not help staring at the woman’s complexion. Hers was like no skin I had ever seen before. Although I knew the woman was at least in her fifties, her skin was absolutely flawless – I would say “pure.” There wasn’t one wrinkle, speckle or blemish – it was truly like white jade. At the end of the meeting, I asked my wife to tell the woman that I could not help but notice her incredible skin and to ask her how she maintained it. The lady laughed (I would assume she was pleased with the compliment) and told us that since she was a young woman she had been in the habit of eating a handful of dried goji berries every day. She said that many of the women in the region where she lives are in the same habit and that the region is very famous for the beauty of its women. She said “even the old women have beautiful skin.” I asked if there was anything else that she did, but she said that nothing else she did was out of the ordinary. “No, it’s the goji. So long as you eat them consistently, you will have beautiful skin.”   As it turned out, she was from the Heaven Mountain region of Xinjiang Province (northwest China). She was the first person to guide us in the direction of Heaven Mountain as a source of superior goji berries. She explained how the berries in that region are large and plump - and much sweeter than those from other regions. And she explained to us that Heaven Mountain goji are the kind people can snack on every day, unlike the dry and lackluster tasting goji that may be available in many markets. She was extremely proud of the fact that certain very high government officials, whom she was visiting in Beijing, would only eat goji from Heaven Mountain. We took her tip and followed our instincts – straight to Heaven Mountain.   I had already been a user and purveyor of goji for many years. They were an ingredient in Japanese herbal formulas I had been taking (and selling) since 1971. But until I met my great teacher, Taoist Master Sung Jin Park in 1974, I didn’t know any of the specifics of goji.  The very first day we ever met, Master Park had recommended that I consume goji. They were included in a simple tonic tea he made for me featuring Goji, He Shou Wu, Ginseng and Schizandra. When herbs became available in this country around 1976, I immediately started buying and selling goji berries. I always enjoyed eating them, but never as an overwhelming treat.   Shortly after our meeting with the honey-selling Xinjiang lady, we received our first sample of Heaven Mountain goji. I was astounded. They were so much sweeter, plumper and juicier than the goji berries I had grown used to. Their flavor just popped in your mouth and you didn’t grow tired of eating them. For the first time in my life I was eating the true connoisseurs’ select goji berries. Within a matter of months, we were importing goji berries grown on pure glacial water from Heaven Mountain into the United States.   Asia’s Original Superfood   Goji berries, from the plant Lycium barbarum, have been considered to be a “magical” longevity herb-superfood since the dawn of Asian civilization. Today, as much as ever, goji is revered in Asia for its youth preserving, health protective, strengthening, and mood-elevating properties. And though it is a fruit, it is considered to be more than a common fruit – it is regarded as one of the elite tonic herbs in the world. It is one of the main herbs used in the amazing Chinese herbal system, often used in combination with other precious tonic herbs like Cordyceps, Ginseng and Schizandra.   One of the great things about authentic, high grade goji is that it can be consumed as a dried fruit – as easily as raisons – providing an incredible range of nutrients, nutraceutically important phytochemicals and health benefits. In China it is called a “delicious herb,” suitable for use in cuisine (raw or cooked) and for straight snacking. Most herbs of the potency of goji cannot be consumed so easily simply because they are impossible to eat. Most herbs are dried roots or bark, and most are not exactly “delicious.” Low quality goji may not be delicious either and may be tough to eat, but high quality “snack grade” goji is an absolute pleasure to consume any time.   Finally, Americans and Europeans are discovering what has been known for 5,000 years in Asia – eating Goji fruit regularly helps you to feel, look and perform better on every level of life. And Goji is not a placebo or fad herb. It has been used by billions of people over the period of thousands and years. Hundreds of scientific studies are confirming all its traditional uses and more. Goji is an antiaging, health protective, life-giving miracle if every Nature created one!   From the Official Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China   Botanical Name: Lycium Barbarum   Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Lycii   Action: To benefit the liver and the kidney, to replenish vital essence and to improve eyesight.   Dosage: 18 ~ 36 grams per day   What Makes Goji Berries So Special   The goji berry, also known as Lycium berry, wolfberry and Gouqizi (in Mandarin Chinese) is unquestionably a superfood. People are not exaggerating when they say that the Goji berry is among the premier superfoods known to mankind. Goji may well be one of the healthiest single foods you could ever consume. And you only need to consume an ounce a day to get all the amazing benefits that people have been experiencing from goji for thousands of years.   Fructus Lycii (the official pharmaceutical name for goji) is the dried fruit of Lycium barbarum, the species of Lycium fruit that is the only official goji berry, according to the official Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. According to the Pharmacopoeia, consuming around an ounce of goji per day, or the equivalent as a tea or extract, has the broad effects of benefiting the liver and kidney functions, as classically defined in the Chinese health care system, to specifically improve eyesight, and to help restore vital essence, and energy commonly referred to as Jing.   Fructus Lycii is one of the most commonly prescribed Yin-modulators used in Chinese herbalism. In Asia and wherever Chinese herbalism is practiced, this herb/superfood is used as a tonic, and is widely used specifically to replenishes the Yin component and blood elements, improves eyesight, strengthen the back, tonify the sexual and reproductive functions,  and to help restore yin energy to the Kidney and Liver energy channels. In traditional Chinese herbalism, it has been documented extensively as a favorite ingredient in recipes for elderly people.   Various human studies have shown the oral administration of goji (lycium fruit either as an extract or as dried fruit) to in have improved their immune functions, raised the serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and hemoglobin but lowered the level of lipid peroxides as well as reduced senility symptoms. Traditional medicinal preparations for sick persons and the elderly usually contain it as one of the ingredients.   This herb contains simple sugars, polysaccharides, betaine, zeaxanthin and physalein.[1]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Goji berries contain an abundance of health-promoting constituents including: Lycium 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. High-grade, fresh Chinese goji is extremely rich in beta-carotene (some researchers estimate that it has the highest content of beta-carotene among all foods on earth).  Beta-carotene can be transformed into vitamin A under the influence of human liver enzymes. Therefore, vitamin A ultimately plays a major influence in Lycium’s actions. Lycium’s function on the eyes is related to this factor. Lycium’s vitamin B1 and B2 contents are significant and the vitamin C content of freeze-dried Lycium has been measured to be 73 mg / 100 grams.  Goji berries appear to help support our health in many ways. They possess powerful immune-supporting phytochemicals. Goji berry and its extracts have been shown to neutralize free radicals and to protect DNA. Evidence indicates that goji berries are likely to protect our nervous system (including our brain) and our sexual organs from damage due to stress, temperature variations and free radicals.   Convincing evidence supports the traditional notion that consuming goji berries regularly can help support cardiovascular health, protect the pancreas and liver, enhance immunity, support eye health, increase libido and fertility and improve mood.   The fruit also contains beta-sitosterol (an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid (a fatty acid), sesquiterpenoids (cyperone, solavetivone), tetraterpenoids (zeaxanthin, physalin), and betaine.   Goji Is Safe to Consume   Goji berries are very safe to consume. Though no food or herb agrees with everybody on Earth, goji is one of the best tolerated foods, so long as you don’t eat so much in a single sitting that the body cannot digest it. Goji berries are ubiquitous in China where they are consumed by almost every household as a longevity food and for health protection. Billions of people have consumed these incredible berries regularly for thousands of years and the evidence is clear that goji berries are a quintessential superfood.   Goji – A Super-Antioxidant   Goji is a super-antioxidant food, abundant in different antioxidant phytochemicals. Goji is rich in other carotenoids that scavenge free radicals keeping our liver, blood and cardiovascular system clean and free from inflammatory toxins. Goji has been thoroughly analyzed and has been found to be rich in a variety of antioxidants, including carotenoids (such as beta-carotene and zeaxanthin), riboflavin, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), thiamine (vitamin B1), and nicotinic acid. Total carotenoid concentrations of different goji berries are within the range of 0.03–0.5%. Zeaxanthin dipalmitate, a potent antioxidant essential for vision and probably for other human functions, is a predominant carotenoid, comprising as much as 56% of the total carotenoids in Lycium barbarum fruit (goji).   All forms of goji possess potent antioxidant activity. The raw fruit, either fresh or dried has been demonstrated to be a super antioxidant food. Water and alcohol extracts too are extraordinary antioxidants (proving that cooking does not destroy the antioxidant activity of goji). Extracts of goji may be refined to contain higher amounts of a constituent known as LBP (to be discussed in a moment). These high density, standardized extracts are extreme antioxidants, although the antioxidant effects taper off if the extract contains more than 40 or 50% LBP.   This explains why in Asia goji is consumed as the raw-dried fruit as a snack – but also in all sorts of cooked dishes, in wine and in tinctures, as well as in thousands of herbal formulations.   For those who wish to consume a natural form of vitamin C on a daily basis, nothing could be better than consuming an ounce or two of goji every day. Goji berry is estimated to be as rich in vitamin C as fresh lemons. Actually, goji contains a unique precursor of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), known as ascorbic acid 2-beta-G. This stable form of vitamin C is abundant in the dried fruit of Lycium barbarum (goji). When provided to test animals by oral administration, it increased the blood ascorbic acid and it was also detected in blood from the portal vein. Thus it appears to be easily assimilated by the body.   Our bodies produce extremely powerful antioxidants, one of which is superoxide dismutase (SOD). SOD is one of three primary antioxidants produced in the human body designed by evolution to protect the body against natural free radical damage. SOD is critical in protecting us against harmful oxidative stress. Without it, we cannot live. or “youth enzyme.” SOD is a key antioxidant enzyme which protects your brain cells from the ravages of internally-generated toxins and also from those introduced from the outside environment.   Free radicals are responsible for much of the inflammation experienced by humans. A free radical known as the superoxide anion is responsible for much of this inflammation. SOD will normally counteract this damaging free radical. According to a reported article published in China, Lycium barbarum fruit can increase SOD production by as much as an astounding 40%!   Substances that stimulate the body’s production of SOD are fabulous for our health. What could be better than stimulating OUR OWN native antioxidants? This appears to be exactly what happens when we consume goji berries. Goji has the power to support your body’s own production of superoxide dismutase (SOD) Oral Administration of goji (Lycium fruit) raises SOD in the blood stream and in various tissues. This unheralded effect of goji may well be of the utmost importance to our health and one of Goji’s most important attributes. It appears that this stimulatory ability of goji on SOD production is the result of the actions of unique constituents in goji called Lycium polysaccharides (LBPs), which we will discuss in more detail in a moment.   Antioxidant science is now central to a majority of disease and health related research taking place in laboratories around the world. No medical science has been left untouched by the fundamental principles of oxidation and protection against its excesses in the body. The science clearly suggests that antioxidants play an important role in preventing many degenerative diseases, and may slow down the aging process. Goji is emerging as one of the elite superstars in the antioxidant arsenal – not a surprise to the Chinese or to tonic herbalists.   Goji Flavonoids Protect Red Blood Cell Membranes and Mitochondria Our red blood cells are subject to oxidation by free radicals like all tissues in the body. Excessive exposure to free radicals (prooxidants) can damage red blood cells so that they can no longer do their job, and worse, become harmful to the body. Goji contains flavonoids that appear to protect red blood cells and the mitochondria (energy producing organelles within cells) from oxidative stress.   In a study conducted at Ningxia Medical College, the protective effects of the total flavonoids from Lycium barbarum (TFL) on lipid peroxidation in mitochondria and red blood cells induced by oxygen radicals were investigated. The mitochondria lipid peroxidation was significantly inhibited by TFL, and the fluidity of mitochondria membrane was also protected effectively. It was observed by scan electron microscope, that the shape of red blood cells in the oxidized system was damaged significantly, while the shape of red blood cells remained normal with the addition of TFL. Huang Y, Lu J, Shen Y, Lu J. [Article in Chinese] Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 1999 Mar 30;28(2):115-6. Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Ningxia Medical College, Yinchuan750004, China. The protective effects of total flavonoids from Lycium Barbarum L. on lipid peroxidation of liver mitochondria and red blood cell in rats If this protection also takes place in human cells (which one would guess is highly likely), the repercussions are enormous, since our blood cells are essential to carrying oxygen and nutrients to all the cells and tissues of our body. Mitochondria are essential to our life and if they degenerate, so disease is inevitable.   Goji Is a High-ORAC Fruit   There are many methods of measuring the antioxidant power of a substance.  Various laboratories and researchers use different methods, but if they are consistent in their technique, the relative antioxidant potential of various substances will be clear. One standard that has become very popular and is now being used regularly in the nutraceutical industry is the ORAC standard.   Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC) is now the most recognized standard of measurement used to express the antioxidant potency of a substance. The term ORAC is virtually equated with the word "antioxidant power" at this time.   Unfortunately, there are marketers who are not as concerned with the facts than they are with sales, and they can twist the numbers to promote sales – for a while. Goji is one of the highest ORAC foods on earth. There are definitely higher ORAC substances, though not many. But ORAC is not the only factor involved in the oxidative process. The efficiency and other related factors of goji converge to make it arguably the most protective food on earth (it could certainly be argued that green tea, Reishi mushroom, muscadine grape, and other high ORAC foods are equally protective, but all of these are in an elite league that makes them ALL worth consuming daily).   Eye Health   Goji has been used in Asia for thousands of years. One of its most widely applied uses in Asia has been to benefit vision and to protect the eyes from degeneration. Goji actually possesses several phytochemicals that may benefit the eyes, and all of the antioxidants may play a role in protecting the eyes from damage and degeneration. Beta-carotene can be transformed into vitamin A under the influence of human liver enzymes. Lycium’s function on the eyes is related to this factor.    But one chemical in particular has attracted the attention of the scientific world and appears to directly confirm Goji’s benefit for the eyes and to vision.   The orange “pigment” in Goji is actually a very powerful antioxidant called zeaxanthin (zee-uh-ZAN-thin) that is easily absorbed in the digestive tract after consuming Goji berries and is preferentially absorbed by the retina of the eyes. This powerful antioxidant actually coats the lining of our eyes and keeps our eyes youthful. This ability of Goji has been known in Asia for over a thousand years, but has just recently been verified by a Harvard University study and other researchers. Lutein, a related compound is also utilized by the retina of the eye, but research now indicates that zeaxanthin is probably more important and more easily efficiently utilized by themacula, a tiny area of the retina that allows clear central vision such as that needed to read or drive. Zeaxanthin protects the macula, the visual center of the retina, from intense high-energy, blue-wave light in the same way that “blue blocker” sunglasses protect the eyes. Amazingly, zeaxanthin also helps the eye repair itself.   Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common eye diseases of elderly individuals. It is the leading cause of blindness in people over age 55 in Western industrialized nations. AMD occurs when the macula, about the size of a pencil eraser, is destroyed by the aging process. According to the American Macular Degeneration Society, eyes with the highest concentration of zeaxanthin in the macula are the last to degenerate.   There are two types of macular degeneration - of macular degeneration — "dry” and "wet.” Loss of Zeaxanthin is believed to be a factor in both types  “The macular pigment is highly organized within the retina of the human eye. Studies show that the retina contains two carotenoids, zeaxanthin and lutein, with the greatest concentration at the center. Within the central macula, zeaxanthin is the dominant component, up to 75% of the total, whereas in the peripheral retina, lutein predominates, usually being 67% or greater. Typical carotenoid concentrations within other human tissues are much lower. Data show that the macular pigment increases through dietary supplements. Evidence points to a correlation between macular pigment density and a reduction in the risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).” [“Analysis of Zeaxanthin Distribution within Individual Human Retinas” by John T. Landrum, Richard A. Bone, Linda L. Moore, and Christina M. Gomez, Methods In Enzymology (1999, 299: 457-467).]   In a study by The Schepens Eye Institute, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, subjects over age 60 with high macular pigment density had the same visual sensitivity as the younger subjects. Older subjects with low macular pigment density had lower visual sensitivity than the younger subjects. [Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Feb. 1998, Vol. 39, No. 2).]   Goji is particularly rich in the carotenoid zeaxanthin. In a study conducted by researchers at the Schepens Eye Research Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; the Toyoda Ophthalmologic Clinic, Japan; and Columbia University School of Medicine, the xanthophyll carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin), which have been hypothesized to delay progression of age-related macular degeneration, were fed to quail to characterize the carotenoid composition of retina, serum, liver, and fat in quail and to determine whether dietary enrichment with zeaxanthin alters zeaxanthin or lutein concentrations in these tissues. Xanthophyll profiles in quail mimic those in primates. Dietary supplements of zeaxanthin effectively increased zeaxanthin co

Mini-size perfect for trial and on-the-go! Highly concentrated herbal tincture Gynostemma leaf main ingredient 5 potent supporting tonic herbs Powerful adaptogenic action Herbal protection 100% natural Product Description Spring Dragon Longevity™ Drops is now available in ¼ oz. miniature dropper bottle at a more affordable price. You can now try out this extraordinary tonic herbal tincture and many others while staying well within your budget.Spring Dragon Longevity Drops is a potent adaptogenic herbal elixir. It is the same formula as the famous “house tea” of Dragon Herbs, however it is extracted with water and alcohol, to create a super-potent tincture of a range of China’s greatest tonic herbs. Spring Dragon Longevity Drops’ main ingredient is the powerful tonic herb known as Gynostemma. Gynostemma is one of the most important adaptogenic herbs used in Asian herbalism. The leaves of Gynostemma are extracted and concentrated along with five other major tonic herbs. Spring Dragon Longevity Drops is uplifting — but it does not cause hyperactivity — it is not a stimulant. It is simultaneously calming — it promotes a sense of peace — but it is not a sedative. The herbs in Spring Dragon Longevity Drops support immune functions in a variety of ways.Ingredients: Gynostemma leaf, Schizandra fruit, Goji berries, Astragalus root, Eleuthero root, Luo Han Guo fruit. Traditional Function Adaptogenic, immune regulating, tonifying to the Lungs, Heart, Spleen/Pancreas, Liver and Kidney* Who can use it? Adults Concentration 8:1 Specifications 0.25 fl. oz. (7.5 ml) Other Ingredients Water, Grain Alcohol (30% by volume) Dosage 3-12 droppers per day as desired or as directed by your health care practitioner