Chinese Herbs Strengthen, Tonify and Rebuild Your Body and Health!
Chinese herbs are herbs used to treat and balance all natural elements of human health. Specifically, the tonic herbs, are a branch of Chinese herbalism used to rebuild, renew, and rejuvenate "chi", the life-force of the body.
They have been studied and practiced by Chinese Taoists to bring into balance the "three treasures": 1) Jing 2) Chi and 3) Spirit.
The tonic herbs are documented in one of the first known herbals dating back in Chinese history several thousands of years ago.
These tonics are food and immune system adaptogens! They are designed to be taken over a long period of time.
"They are used to fortify the body-mind, to strengthen the life functions, to encourage natural harmony, to enhance one's adaptability, and as a result of all this, to generate what the Chinese call radiant health." Ron Teeguarden
There are a select number of major tonic herbs that we like to focus on for continued increase of overall radiance and life-force.
Sometimes the art of blending Chinese herbs can be overwhelming but we recommend you keep it simple. The idea is that you are using the best of the best, the top herbs used by the
longevity
masters! You can't go wrong!!
(See our herbal tea preparation guide for tips on how to extract the most out of your herbs!)
1) Schizandra Berry
Schizandra(Schizandra chinensis) is one of the most common sexual tonics known. It rejuvenates kidney vigor and the sex gland endurance in both men and women, increasing fluids and vibrant sexual health, always a good sign of overall fitness!
After several months it will provide youthful, supple glowing skin and is famous as a "beauty tonic" for it is said to hold moisture within the skin cells.
It is a blood purifier, and enhances brain function, focus and memory. High among the Chinese herbs, it is said to be one of the only herbs to enter all 12 meridians and is virtually good for so many things the list seems endless.
It is a powerful restorative for the eyesight, known to actually increase the range of vision.
2) Asparagus Root
Asparagus root (Asparagus lucidus) is called the spirit tonic for the "heart". It specifically focuses on nourishing, calming and opening the heart region to receive the gifts of love, kindness and compassion.
Giving to one's self and then to the world. An overall energizer and toner for the lungs, allowing the breath of life to flow easily, bridging the body-mind connection.
Asparagus is said to help one see things from a larger perspective and move beyond the world of form into a divine matrix that interconnects life and all the universe.
For this reason it is also considered a "spiritual herb" and is also used as a sexual tonic for overcoming the physical blocks to receiving ecstatic union.
It is closely related to Shatavari in the
Ayurvedic herbs
but is of a different species.
3) Dong Quai
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) is a super potent blood tonic for both men and women. It has been praised as the "woman's ginseng" because of it's reviving effects on the reproductive system, building blood and harmonizing the entire blood cell structure to it's natural most efficient state of well being.
It is used also to promote menstrual stability in women, increasing the easy unburdened flow of blood during the monthly cycles.
For this reason, it is also recommended for those with anemia to revitalize blood balance. It is good for men as well, to help to build muscle by increasing blood flow to the tissues.
Dong Quai has a bitter taste but is camouflaged in many herbal formulas when the proper proportions are used. I use this one everyday in myherbal tea recipesfor helping to circulate and refresh the blood.
4) Licorice root
Chinese licorice root(Glycyrrhizae uralensis)is the all popular, deliciously sweet and unctuous tonic that is a great enhancer and harmonizer of other herbs in
herbal tea preparation,
increasing the effectiveness of other tonics.
Known for it's detoxifying effects that eliminate all toxins from the body. It's cleansing attributes allow for all energies to flow more smoothly.
5) Jujubee Dates
Jujubee dates (Zizyphus jujube) or also called "red dates" are great harmonizing herb that ties together other tonics in the formula. They are especially great when used with other yang herbs to add greater balance to their fiery nature.
They have a sweet flavor and are known to dry up an excessive of mucus yet moisten tissues if needed.
Jujubee strengthens and purifies the entire body especially the stomach region, increasing circulation and clearing the systems of blockages.
6) Codonopsitis
Codonopsitis (Codonopsitis lanceolate) is considered the "poor man's ginseng". It is more mild and more cooling than ginseng, but is also a great energy tonic.
It moistens and nourishes the tissues and organs where needed, with an amazing ability to provide equilibrium to the major metabolic systems. It detoxifies and stimulates the bloodstream, clearing excess and helping one to achieve beautiful complexion. It is great for anyone who is severely depleted.
7) Rhodiola
Rhodiola (Rhodiola Rosea) has been grown in Tibet for thousands of years and considered a sacred herb among Asian people. It can be used to enhance spiritual nature, invoking wisdom, incredible strength, focus and physical endurance.
It has been praised, right up there with ginseng, for it's powerful qualities. It is extremely helpful for cardiovascular and overall heart health.
Rhodiola is supreme for anyone undergoing intense stress or physical exertion.
8) Astragalus
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is known for its immune system enhancing attributes that have been studied to benefit cancer and Aids patients.
It contains an all importantpolysaccaridethat promotes increased immune system responses and stimulates the activation of white bloods in the body. Astragalus is used to strengthen, warm and tonify the limbs, especially helpful for those in cold harsh climates.
9) Ginseng
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) known as the "king of herbs", we place this powerful tonic under our
herbal stimulants
though it is also #1 Chinese herb known throughout the world for it's amazing energy restoring and strength building properties.
This sophisticated system of herbalism has been successfully verified and tested as a way to build and maintain levels of health that increaselongevity,to not only extend, but add a strength and quality to one's life!
The Power of Adaptogens!
Adaptogens are herbs that help the body to "adapt" to stress, fatigue and anxiety, and traumas from outside environmental influences or internal imbalance.
All of these top Chinese herbs are adaptogens, like theAyurvedic herbs,in that they have the ability to nourish depletions and "protect" us against any of the multiple stress factors whether they are physical, mental, chemical in nature.
These herbs are perennials, that is they come up year after year, which is apart of their strength and adaptogenic attributes. They help us to ground and move from a place of strength, calmness and unwavering self-esteem!
Buying Herbs:
China town markets often have an abundant array of these Chinese herbs. Here is a translation of each herb in Chinese English. They are not usually called by there "western" names in these markets so you would be well advised to take this list with you so you know what is what.
Chinese Herbal Translations:
Ginseng - Renshen
Asparagus Root - Tien Men Tong
Schizandra Berry - Wu Wei Tza
Dong Quai - Dang Gui, Tang Kuei
Licorice Root - Kan Tsao
Rhodiola - Hong Jing Tian
Astragalus - Huang Chi (Qi)
Jujubee Dates - Ta Tsao
Condenopsis - Tang Shen
Learn how to make your own alchemical preparations with
nutritive herbal tea
and
cleansing herbs
blended with top sacred tonic herbs, providing extra-ordinary energies that will tone and build nerve force.
Chinese licorice root(Glycyrrhizae uralensis)is the all popular, deliciously sweet and unctuous tonic that is a great enhancer and harmonizer of other herbs in
Jujubee dates (Zizyphus jujube) or also called "red dates" are great harmonizing herb that ties together other tonics in the formula. They are especially great when used with other yang herbs to add greater balance to their fiery nature. 
Codonopsitis (Codonopsitis lanceolate) is considered the "poor man's ginseng". It is more mild and more cooling than ginseng, but is also a great energy tonic. 
Rhodiola (Rhodiola Rosea) has been grown in Tibet for thousands of years and considered a sacred herb among Asian people. It can be used to enhance spiritual nature, invoking wisdom, incredible strength, focus and physical endurance. 
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is known for its immune system enhancing attributes that have been studied to benefit cancer and Aids patients. 
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) known as the "king of herbs", we place this powerful tonic under our
