8 Immortals (Dragon Herbs)

All I can say is: “Wow!”.

Eight Immortals is a supertonic antiaging formulation of the highest order. All of the herbs in this extraordinary tincture have antiaging, immune strengthening, spirit lifting, mind strengthening qualities. This is the ultimate example of an adaptogenic herbal supplement. It is composed of eight of the elite tonic herbs, and all of the herbs used are super-premium grade, far beyond conventional commercial grade – in fact, most of the herbs are wild harvested in the remote mountains where they gained their reputations over many centuries. A few are the best cultivated or cultured variety available in the world. The product is named in honor of the “eight immortals,” eight Taoist adepts who were said to have achieved immortality. All of them are associated with tonic herbs.

The wild Ginseng comes from Changbai Mountain, the 65 million year original source of Ginseng. All roots are at least thirteen years old, meaning the roots have achieved immortality (the genetic “death domain” has shut down). The Reishi used is also from ChangbaiMountain and is also collected wild from the ancient forest. Wild Reishi has traditionally been known as the “mushroom of immortality.” Wild American Ginseng has been part of Chinese herbalism for over six hundred years. We use only immortalized roots from the Catskill Mountains, the favored choice of Asian Ginseng connoisseurs. Eight Immortals also contains the herb known as the “quintessence of Chinese tonic herbs,” Wild Schizandra from the remote and pristine forests of Changbai Mountain. This Schizandra is not cultivated or collected at low elevation. It is the real deal, the same Schizandra consumed by Taoist hermits for thousands of years as an elixir of immortality. This Wild Schizandra imbues mental, physical and psychic power, preserves youthfulness and robust inner power. Wild Snow Lotus is collected above the snow line of Tibet. The white flower  blooms just once every five years at altitudes above 18,000 feet. It is one of the three herbal treasures of the Himalayas (along with Cordyceps and Rhodiola, also in this formula). It is a powerful adaptogen and superb cleansing tonic. Tibetan Rhodiola is collected likewise collected from above the snowline of the Himalayas. The red aromatic root is one of the world’s most powerful adaptogens and has many powerful tonic properties. Wild He Shou Wu, from the mountains of Yunnan, is one of the most famous tonic herbs in the world.

The Duanwood Reishi (organically grown on Duanwood logs in the high mountains on mountain water), Heaven Mountain Goji (grown on glacial melt), organically grown Cordyceps fruiting bodies and  are the best you can buy of each of these herbs. All of them have potent antiaging properties.

The herbs combine to build the body’s and mind’s ability to resist stress and overcome challenges on both a short term and long term basis. The herbs have a profound influence on the quality of the skin, mind and vitality.

Click Here to Buy 8 Immortals by Dragon Herbs on Amazon

 

Superfoods Series – Adaptogentic Tonic/Healing Herbs – Rehmannia, Goji, He Shou Wu

Rehmannia, Lycium, He Shou Wu

Prepared Rehmannia root

From Alive & Well:

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 lengthening.
…There are two fundamental varieties of Rehmannia used in Chinese herbalism: prepared and raw. Raw Rehmannia has simply been dried. It has a cold nature and is not particularly tonic (its tonic nature has not been activated). Raw Rehmannia is used primarily in medicinal herbalism to cool down inflammatory conditions. Prepared Rehmannia is highly tonic. It has been prepared by soaking in a special blend of wine (which itself has been specially prepared with Amomi and Tangerine peel) and then steaming and sun drying. The Rehmannia becomes deep black, soft and sticky. It is sold in slices in most markets for easy handling. Most Prepared Rehmannia sold in America is of high quality. It may be tasted raw. It will be soft, easily chewed, fine in texture and very sweet.

From Mountain Rose Herbs:

Constituents: Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic-acid, Aucubin, Beta-sitosterol, Calcium, Catalpol, Copper, D-fructose, D-galactose, D-glucose, Gaba, Glucosamine, Glutamic- acid, Glycine, Histidine, Iron, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Magnesium, Manganese, Manninotriose, Mannitol, Melittoside, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Phosphoric-acid, Potassium, Proline, Raffinose, Rehmaglutins, Rehmanniosides, Serine, Stachyose, Sucrose, Threonine, Tyrosine, Valine, Verbascose, Zinc, Vitamins A, B, C, D, amino acids, cerebroside, dammelittoside

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Goji

Lycium Fruit

From Dragon Herbs:

This delicious fruit is very widely used as an excellent Yin Jing and blood tonic. Regular consumption of Lycium is traditionally believed to lead to a long and happy life. It is said that prolonged consumption of Lycium will promote cheerfulness and vitality. Lycium is also said to brighten the eyes and improve vision. It is said that Lycium strengthens the legs and enhances sexual function. Lycium fruit contains polysaccharides that have been demonstrated to strongly fortify the immune system. Lycium is also very rich in vitamin C and in B vitamins. Furthermore, it is the richest source of carotenoids, including beta carotene, of all known plants on earth and is thus a powerful antioxidant.

From Alive & Well:

It is one of the most popular herbs in the world. Regular consumption of Goji is traditionally believed to lead to a long, vigorous and happy life. It is said that prolonged consumption of Goji will promote cheerfulness and vitality.

Goji fruit contains polysaccharides which have been demonstrated to strongly fortify the immune system. Goji is also very rich in vitamin C and B vitamins. Furthermore, it is the richest source of carotenoids, including beta carotene, of all known plants on earth and is thus a powerful antioxidant. It is believed to fortify the system against disease and to provide the energy to overcome difficult obstacles.

Goji fruit is widely believed to increase sexual fluids and enhance fertility.

Goji has long been used as a longevity herb. It is one of the premier anti-aging herbs of Asian herbalism and is believed to fortify the system against disease and to provide the energy to overcome difficult obstacles.

From Dragon Herbs:

Sun Si-Miao (581-682 A.D.)
Sun is also known as the Herb King. Sun lived to be 101 years of age. He was born with a very weak constitution and was very sickly in his childhood. His family was almost bankrupted with his medical expenses.

Sun devoted his lifetime to the art of medicine. His monumental books, “Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold” and “Supplement to Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold,” have been regarded as compilation of China’s medical achievements up to the 7th century. Sun believed if his work could save a single life, it would surpass the benefaction of a thousand pieces of gold. He wrote his first book at the age of 71, and he finished his “Supplement” book at the age of 100. A year after that book’s completion, he died peacefully. This is not just longevity, this is vigor at an advanced age.

Because of his weak constitution, Sun Si-Miao was a very disciplined practitioner of the art of life preservation and consumed Goji every morning and every night throughout his entire life. He was as famous for his longevity as he was for his work. His secrets for achieving centenarian status 1500 years ago remain an active topic even today.

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He Shou Wu

Polygonum Root – Fo Ti

From Alive & Well:

Primary Traditional Functions:
As a tonic to the kidney and liver functions, toning up the vital essence and blood, fortifying the muscles, tendons and bones, and to prevent premature aging, maintaining the youthful condition and color of the hair, strengthening sperm and ova, fortifying the back and knees and as the premier longevity herb of Chinese Tonic herbalism.

Buy He Shou Wu on Amazon.com

What’s For Breakfast?

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Goji Berries with CHO-WA and MyCommunity Extract.

How To Cook Tempeh.

Tempeh is a fermented food and a heart-healthy bad-cholesterol-free food. It is a soy product, high in protein and you can find it at your local grocery store, usually sold in rectangular blocks.

Tempeh can be cubed, sliced, crumbled or roasted whole like a steak. It takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it with (spices, seasonings, sauces).

To cook: I simply cut the tempeh into thin slices and healthy-sauteed it in vegetable stock (no oil) with sliced button mushrooms. I added a little tamari and also a dash of brown rice vinegar, as well as a little black pepper. That’s it. Just taste as you cook until all the vegetable broth has cooked away and you are left with a deep, rich, thick flavor from the mushrooms, vegetable stock reduction and seasonings.

Baked Tofu

Organic tofu with fine herbs, black pepper, soy sauce, rice vinegar.
Dandelion green salad with toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, Himalayan salt and black pepper.

All organic.

Vegan Organic Food, Vegetables and Rice Dinner

Germinated brown rice, boiled in vegetable stock, Turkish seasoning (has some sumac in it, which I love!), Bragg 24 herb seasoning, chili powder, and finished with olive oil. Fresh oregano.

Sweet potato fried with scallions in coconut oil. Pink salt, cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, coconut sugar.

Oven roasted broccolini, carrots, apple, and rosemary with olive oil and Himalayan pink salt, and black pepper.

Raw Food Organic Pesto Salad

Local organic baby chard and kale greens.

Organic sun dried tomatoes, water, nub of organic ginger, organic baby spinach, juice of two organic lemons, Bragg Organic Sprinkle 24 herb seasoning, fresh organic basil, fresh organic rosemary, fresh organic oregano, Himalayan salt, organic hemp seeds, organic chickpea miso, organic olive oil.

Organic raw pine nuts, edible flowers.

Living foods Organic Pesto Salad with Broccoli Sprouts:

Herb-Crusted Tofu with Kimchi and Tabbouleh

I was inspired by tofu that had herbs in it (and no preservatives) that I found at Whole Foods.
I cubed it and seared it with vegetable broth, garlic, soy sauce, chives, basil himalayan salt, black pepper and coconut sugar. It tasted a little like teriyaki and the garlic had become crispy and was oh so delicious on the tongue.

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(Tabbouleh and kimchi store-bought)

Collard Green Wraps

Better than a burrito!

This is the dinner I threw together last night when I got home from work. It took under 30 minutes (and I enjoyed the whole process!).

I made quinoa, kale and tempeh with sundried tomatoes (simmered) in vegetable stock. I seasoned with basics like Himalayan salt, turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper. I also made a raw (living foods) vegan sauce in the (Vitamix) blender. The sauce has fresh organic mint and dill, greens, cultured almond milk yogurt, tamari, and pineapple (as well as other ingredients, which I don’t remember now, but which felt right to include in the moment). If you would like to recreate something similar, use what you have in the fridge and trust what inspires you.

Breakfast Salad

Spring mix, baby spinach, alfalfa sprouts, edible flowers.
Herb dressing: basil, cilantro, Himalayan salt, red pepper and garlic miso, olive oil, lime juice.