Radix ANGELICA SINENSIS
(DANG GUI, Dong Quai, Tang Kwei)
 

Tonifies, invigorates, and harmonizes the Blood. In Chinese Medicine, it is considered to be the most important herb for menstrual disorders. It is also known as "women's ginseng". It can be used to regulate the menses for irregular and delayed menstrual cycles, menopause, PMS, as well as to treat anemia. It is used in China as a Blood Tonic to tonify the Blood. Men use it along with Polygonum Multiflorum (He Shou Wu) to build muscle. Most Angelica that comes into this country is of the palm sliced variety. This type is pressed and sulfited which makes the slices larger than what they really are and whitish in color. The Dang Gui that we carry is the natural yellowish, un-processed Dang Gui which is unsulfited and carries a strong aroma. This particular grade of Dang Gui is known to be of the best quality as it comes from the Gansu province of China where the best Dang Gui grows. We carry this Premium grade of Dang Gui as sliced, whole and the tails. The tails are considered the strongest part of the Dang Gui in moving the Blood. The head of the root is considered the strongest part to tonify the Blood.
Usage: 3-15 grams.

Fructus LONGANAE
(LONG YAN ROU; English: Longan Fruit)
 

Tonifies the Heart and Spleen and nourishes the Blood, helping to calm the Spirit. This delicious tonic fruit is useful against anxiety and palpitations. Longan also helps reduce the craving for sweets.
Usage: 6-15 grams.

Fructus LYCII
(GOU QI ZI; English: Chinese Wolfberry)
 

An important herb used to nourish the Blood and Essence. Lycii is used for fading or poor eyesight, eyes that are sensitive to bright light, backache and weakened sexual energy. It is considered beneficial to help increase reproductive secretions. In Chinese Medicine, it is said to brighten the eyes, and modern Western research indicates that this fruit has an abundance of vitamin A as well as zeaxanthin, potent antioxidants which help in the proper functioning of the eyes. The Lycii berries are sweet and tasty, particularly the variety from Ning Xia province in China where the best Lycii comes from. Beware of Lycii which is old and dried, for it has little value. Some Lycii is also dyed a red or red-orange color to try to hide its poor quality, so buyer beware! Ours is never dyed; it is the natural red color of the fruit. Our Lycii is plump and succulent as well as being very tasty since it comes from the Ning Xia Province.
Usage: 3-15 grams.

Radix PAEONIA
(BAI SHAO YAO)
 

A long, whitish brittle root that nourishes the Blood, relaxes the nervous system, and helps alleviate pain. This is an important herb for irritability and mood swings. It is often used in menstrual formulas to help alleviate cramps with Angelica, Bupleurum, and Cyperus. our Paeonia is un-sulfited and has the natural grayish, pinkish hues. Beware of other Paeonia which has a white-white color which means that it has been sulfited. Our Paeonia comes from Zhejiang Province, where the best Paeonia grows.
Usage: 6-15 grams.

Radix POLYGONUM MULTIFLORUM
(HE SHOU WU, Fo-ti)
 

A dark root that tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, Blood, and Essence. Modern western research shows that it contains lecithin and helps to lower cholesterol levels. Traditionally, the root has been used to nourish the Blood and Essence, and to reverse graying hair, although it needs to be taken continuously for this. It also helps to increase reproductive secretions. We carry two types of He Shou Wu. The first type is more of the raw or unprepared kind and is used to help detoxify the body. The other type is the properly prepared He Shou Wu which has been prepared in a decoction of black beans and is used to tonify the Liver Blood and Kidney essence. In Chinese Medicine, the bean is said to be good for the Kidneys, especially the black bean which is believed to tonify Kidney Essence. Essence in Chinese Medicine means the "vital substances" or secretions such as the hormonal secretions which are believed to control the aging process.
Usage: 9-15 grams.

Radix REHMANNIA
(SHU DI HUANG)
 

Said to be the "Kidney's own food". This important herb is said to tonify the Blood and nourish the Yin. Modern Western research has shown that it decreases blood pressure and serum cholesterol. Rehmannia is the leading herb in Rehmannia Six and Rehmannia Eight formulas. The ingredients include Rehmannia, 12 grams; Dioscorea, 8 grams; Cornus Berry, 8 grams; Poria, 8 grams; Alisma, 6 grams; Moutan, 6 grams. This is the Rehmannia Six formula which is good for Kidney weakness in persons with Yin deficiencies, (low back ache, knees aching, flushed face, restlessness, insomnia, nightsweats, ringing in the ears, etc.) or signs of over activity, all common in a thin or skinny person. The rehmannia Eight has the addition of two herbs - Cinnamon Bark and Aconite. This Formula is good for someone with Kidney weakness in persons with Yang deficiencies (low back ache, knees aching, coldness, tiredness, fatigue, ringing in the ears, edema, etc.) or signs of under-activity. Two different types of Rehmannia are available: steamed or raw. Steamed is tonic to the Blood and Yin. Raw is clearing for heat signs.
Usage: 9-30 grams.