Chai Hu faciliates the smooth flow of qi throughout the entire body. By softening our emotional blockages, our ability to open and make cathartic breakthroughs becomes easier, and requires less effort. This allows us to become more open to change and acceptance. Also, by spreading Liver Qi evenly and smoothly, anger, resentment, and frustration become unimaginable.
The unique power of Hong Zao, is that it tends to accentuate and draw out the powers and energies of the other herbs in the formula. Red Date, directs the energies to heart as well, in addition to opening the nine orifices of the human body. These nine orifices connect our human body (microcosm) to our environment (macrocosm). By harmonizing the circulation of energy and blood throughout these 9 orifices, we become stronger, brighter, and more connecting to our universe, resulting in ultimate fulfillment and bliss.
Known as the Mother of Blood, Dang Gui nourishes the Liver and Heart, which is crucial to the spirit remaining centered. Dang Gui’s blood tonifying properties bring substance and abundance to the bodies resevoir of yin energy. Dang Gui also is able to active and circulate blood throughout the channels, so that blood may move freely and not form stagnation. The combination of tonic and activation properties make Dang Gui a truly magnificent herb to compliment the tonic properties of this spirit opening and building formula.
Often called “vishwabhesaj”, the universal medicine in sanksrit, Ginger ranks among one of the most valuable spices that we have. Ginger is used in this formula to help harmonize the middle jiao, which is responsible for transformation and transportation of food, air, and drink into nutrients which the body can assimilate and use for building, repair, metabolism, and almost every function of the organism as a whole. The Chinese consider the middle jiao to be vital in creating post-natal energy. Since Ginger harmonizes the middle jiao, it allows the body to better absorb the herbal essences in this sublime formula. Ginger is quite “sattvic” in nature, which is the highest intention of this formula.
Also known as “Brahmi”, because it aids the knowledge of Brahman, the Supreme Reality. The well-known Hindu Guru Nanndo Narian cllaimed this substance to be his secret elixir of life, allowing him to live to the ripe old age of 107. Gotu Kola, known as the “Crown Chakra” herb, has been found to balance both the right and left hemispher of the brain. It is considered one of the most important “Rasayana” (Rasayana is a broad Ayurvedic term which loosely means to rejuvenate or strengthen) herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. This herb has the power to revitalize and strengthen our nervous system. This herb has a calming effect, and simultaneously, awakens our memory, focus, intellect, and learning capacity. In Ayurveda, this herb has a “Sattvic” nature, which is connected to purity, integrity, truth and enlightenment. This herb embodies many of the virtues that we all seek to develop. Acting as the Minister herb in this formula, the energetics of Gotu Kola strengthen the shen cultivating effect of Reishi, creating a dynamic balance between the warmth of Reishi, and the cooling properties of Gotu Kola.
This herb has been used throughout the Amazon, and the West Indies for it’s anti-spasmodic and tranquilizing properties. It’s muscle relaxant and hypotensive properties are well documented, as scientists have been intensively studying this herb throughout this century. It’s rich and long history as a sedative and heart tonic in herbal medicine make this herb one of the most extensively researched and sought after herbs from our magical rainforest.
The pure awareness that eminates from Basil gives it pure sattva, allowing us to see clearly. Containing natural trace amounts of mercury, Basil energizes negative ions, while absorbing positive ions. It truly changes our environment, and heals our auras. This herb gives us direct access to divinity, brightening our spirit, and empowering our enlightenment. The herb synergizes the energy of the entire formula, bringing about a state of “Sudden Bliss.”
Used in the West Indies as a fish poison, this bark of this plant is one of the most powerful non-narcotic herbs we have. Due to it’s powerful pain-relieving properties, as well as sedative qualities, Jamaican Dogwood serves as an assistant to the other herbs in this formula in created a feeling of euphoria and deep relaxation.
Gentle, and beautiful are 2 words that describe the energetics of this beatiful herb. Acting upon the nervous system to dispel both depression and anxiety, all our fears seem to lift with ease after experiencing lavender. Our muscles relax, and our digestion flows with ease, as we float into the clouds.
“The detoxifying power of licorice when it meets poisons in the human body can be compared to the melting power of a pan boiling hot water when poured onto snow on the ground.” (Sun Ssu-mo, Tang Dynasty). The healing magic of licorice has permeated virtually every culture on the face of the earth. Many Chinese herbalists consider this herb “The Great Harmonizer.” Entering all 12 meridians, “Gan Cao” serves as a guiding herb in this formula, directing the energetics of the other herbs gently and smoothly. “Gan Cao” also has a “Sattvic” quality, which calms the mind and nourishes the spirit. Also, in combination with White Peony, Licorice is a superb anti-spasmodic, helping to relax smooth and striated muscle.
Used for many years by indigenous peoples of North America, many herbalists consider Lobelia to be one of the most important herbs available. Lobelia is unique in that it’s action is duel. It can be excitatory or calming, depending on which system requires balance. It has a regulatory effect on the respiratory and neuro-muscular systems, deeply relaxes the sinews, tendons, and muscles,
while exerting a powerful respiratory effect on the lungs, stimulating catarrhal secretion and expectoration. This allows us to breathe in the great Da Qi (“Air Energy”), so that we may gather and form the strength and righteousness we need for resilience and adaptability. By balancing breathe and muscle tension, our perception of the world becomes clear and radiant.
Used both in Chinese Medicine as well as Ayurvedic medicine, this is truly a food for our spirit. The seed consolidates our heart energies, which bring centeredness to our spirit. Lian Zi also allows us to have an open heart, which supports spiritual cultivation. Compassion and love are echoed in the presence of this magical gift from the gods. In Ayurveda, Lotus is sacred to lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. The lotus is India’s symbol of spiritual unfoldment, and probably one of it’s most sacred plants.
Found in various Amazon regions of Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuala, and Columbia, Manaca has always been revered by the indigenous peoples as a sacred and spiritual plant. Shamans have used this plant in ceremonies, playing a role their initiation practices. Some of the uses of this subspecies is as an additive in the caapi drink, which is known for it’s hallucinogenic uses. It’s function in this formula is to bring enlightenment and open the crown chakra, resulting in truth and discovery of the spirit.
Long used in Brazil by the natives as a natural sedative, to calm nervousness and agitation, this herb is also a powerful antecdote for shock or trauma. This herb can truly regulate an overactive Sympathetic nervous system, and bring about peace and tranquility to the entire nervous system.
Used for centuries by the indigenous people of the
Amazon Rainforest, this herb has gained popularity throughout the world for it’s calming effect. This herb has a remarkable effect on calming the nervousness and racing thoughts of overactive minds. By quieting the mind, and relaxing the muscles, Passionflower creates a state of tranquility, that is quite powerful. In Brazil, Passionflower is the basis for a popular drink, called Maracuja, which is commonly available throughout the country. The local people of Brazil revere this herb as one of the most valuable herbal tranquilizers their rainforest has to offer. The soothing qualities of this spectacular flower brings a state of serenity and blissfulness to this sattvic formula.
“Reishi Mushroom,” Ganoderma Lucidum, or “Ling Zhi” is considered one
of the most powerful tonics in the Chinese Herbal Pharmacopia. Throughout the
millenia, the Great Sages and adepts of China, have reverred the magic of Reishi
Mushroom. Shen Nong, author of the Shen Nong Ben Cao (The Divine Farmer’s
Materia Medica), which up to date, is the oldest materia medica ever discovered, lists
Reishi under the category of Superior Herbs, and lists 6 different types, corresponding
to the five elements of nature. Reishi has such a broad and beneficial effect on the
human organism as a whole, that there have been entire books written on this one substance.
Reishi, has been called, “The Mushroom of Immortality.” Reishi has the ability to
strengthen our shen (chinese for “spirit”), and is quite transcendental in nature. Reishi is
an adaptagen which allows to flow through adversity and challenge with resilience and
peacefulness. This herb is also called the herb of good fortune. This herb is the king
herb of this formula, setting the precedent for all the herbs in the formula.
The key to this herb is its “Sattva” quality, which is consistent with the intention of this entire formula. It calms anger, cruelty, hatred, and jealeousy. Due to it’s cooling nature (like Gotu Kola), it calms fire throughout the body. It has the ability to deeply relaxes the sinews and muscles throughout the body, allowing the qi (life-force) throughout our bodies to soften.
All mints, including Spearmint are thought to be related to the Vedic element of ether, which has a clarifying and expansive nature. All mints share this quality, which makes them especially effective at relieving all forms of constraint, whether emotional, digestive, or other. They are also cooling in nature, which balances the warming effect of Ginger. Together, they both adjust the middle, and harmonize the other herbs. Spearmint also has a Sattvic nature, which lends itself well to the highest intention of this formula, purity, and truth.
Traditionally used in Chinese Medicine, Gou Teng is especially good at relieving internal wind, which can result in spasm, convulsions, and twitches. Wind creates rapid change in the body which can lead to involuntary movements. Gou Teng can relieve the wind, and soothe the liver. This has an especially relaxing effect on the tendons and muscles of the body, complimenting the functions of Skullcap, Passionflower, Jamaican Dogwood, Bai Shao, Gan Cao, and Lobelia.
This herb is invaluable in nourishing the Heart, which in Chinese Medicine, is the “Residence of the Spirit.” Wheat is able to accomplish this through nourishing the mother of the heart, which is the liver. According to seventeenth-century Chinese Doctor, Miao Xi-Yong , the dynamic of Mother (Liver) and Child (Heart) must be balanced if the spirit is to remain calm. This herb works through the growth cycle of the five elements, bringing consolidation to the spirit.
Through it’s nutritive action on nourishing yin and blood, Bai Shao, is able to bring sustainence to the Liver, which can nourish the heart. Also, Bai Shao softens the Liver, which in states of emotional invasion can become hardened. This softening of the liver allows us to flow through adversity with grace and steadiness. Bai Shao also work in synergy with Gan Cao to relax the muscles and spasmodic tensions in the body.