Radiant Wonder: Radiant Health, Herbal Formulas, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Healthy natural products

Western Herbalism looks at feelings of irritability, frustration,anger, depression, even compulsive behavior, as psycho-somatic (coming from the mind). A Western trained herbalist will generally recommend a formula which includes products such as hops, or valerian which are sedatives.

Traditional Chinese Herbal theory states that these feelings are symptoms of a Liver energy imbalance which can be rebalanced. When you nourish and harmonize the functioning of the Liver, the mental state becomes one of happiness, creativity and flexibility. The feelings of being ''stuck'' disappear.

Also, according to the ancient herbalists, when the Liver is out of balance it affects other organs, particularly the Stomach (acid reflux, indigestion, bloating, gas, PMS, mood swings) and the Heart (anxiety, palpitations, premenstrual syndrome, inability to go to sleep easily,).

Balance aids in nutrient absorption, enriching the blood, and helps the Liver/Gallbladder to properly process cholesterol. This is a great formula with multiple benefits. Balance, or its sister formula, Harmony, are likely the most used formulas in Chinese Herbalism. This formula is harmonizing for the entire energy system, thus its name. It is gently powerful and very safe, and it is recommended for anyone.

Ingredients: Bupleurum root, White Peony root, Dong Quai, root, Poria Cocos, White Atractylodes, Ginger root, Licorice root, Mentha

Ingredients in Detail:

Bupleurum root: Bupleurum root is one of the most important herbs used in Chinese herbalism. It is not one of the Super Herbs, but it is used extensively because of its ability to reduce digestive problems and liver tension. It also detoxifies and is anti-microbial. When it is combined with certain other herbs, Bupleurum has the ability to eliminate stagnation anywhere in the body. It is used to relieve muscle tension and spasms and is very useful in dealing with menstrual problems. Our Bupleurum based formulas help to regulate the body's energy, allowing energy to flow evenly and freely. These types of formulas are usually used to relieve blockages of energy and discharging toxins safely out of the body. Bupleurum based formulas are often used in the early stages of achieving Radiant Health due to the fact that they allow the newly increased energy to flow smoothly throughout the body. As time goes by these Bupleurum based formulas are less and less necessary until eventually they are used only when needed, if at all. Bupleurum is a powerful detoxifying herb. As mentioned above, it is not a Super Herb and so has the potential for side effects if not balanced by the combining it with other herbs. The primary side effect is that detoxification can take place too rapidly. This is why it is used with herbs such as White Peony and Scutellaria, both of which detoxify the blood and eliminate heat that builds up with detoxification. This formula has been time-tested for hundreds of years and is very safe and gentle. (tension relief changed. Do the other bup. Formulas )

White Peony root: is well known for its ability to relax muscles and nourish the blood. Peony is said to relieve spasms and cramps anywhere in the body. It does this by promoting the production of more blood and by helping the body to retain vital fluids that lubricate muscles, tendons and bones. It is can eliminate many body pains. White Peony is also an important herb to help normalize the liver function, which controls the blood flow during the menstrual cycle. It is well known for its ability to help regulate the female hormonal cycle. Chinese Herbalism sees a connection between a feeling of tightness in the body, often in the abdomen with a lifestyle that is challenging. White Peony is the perfect herb to help the body relax this tension.

Dong Quai, root: Dong Quai (pronounced "Dong guWAY") is one of the most widely used herbs in the World. If Ginseng is known as the “king” of Chinese herbs, Dong Quai is the “queen”. It is commonly used as a potent and effective blood builder.

Used by men and women alike, Dong Quai is super nourishment for the blood. It also helps regulate blood circulation. It is often used by body builders. It is famous as a woman's herb because of its ability to help balance the menstrual cycle, hormones and eliminate anemia. Scientific research demonstrates that Dong Quai regulates uterine function. It has a mild sedative and smoothing effect on nervous disorders and excessive emotional problems. Dong Quai is often used to balance gynecological problems: amenorrhea (no menstruation), infertility, PMS, and menopausal difficulties. Formulas with Dong Quai are extremely effective and are completely safe. It helps regulate the menstrual cycle and prevents degeneration of the reproductive system. It is used in many youth preserving formulas. We also use Dong Quai in our beauty formulas. It has been found to be very beneficial to the complexion by improving circulation in the skin and detoxifying the skin. It is used in formulas that are designed to detoxify the skin and is used to clear blemishes and to treat eczema, rosacea, neurodermatitis, vitiligo, pigment diseases and a host of other skin problems.

Dong Quai is rich in vitamins B 12, folic acid, foinic acid, nicotinic acid and biotin. Dong Quai contains Cobalt, an important mineral that, in conjunction with B 12, enriches the blood. Studies have shown that B 12 without Cobalt loses its hematonic (blood building) effects. Dong Quai not only has demonstrated the ability to generate red blood cells and hemoglobin. For the Chinese Herbalist these qualities also make Dong Quai a key ingredient to any formula that nourishes the hair and the nails.

Dong Quai also has demonstrated an ability to balance blood flow of the coronary artery, and help eliminate free radicals, making it a superior anti-aging herb.

Poria Cocos: Recent scientific research has discovered that Poria is a powerful immunesystem booster. It induces the production of alpha-interferon and is used in Japan and China to assist in strengthening the immune systems in cancer patients. It is used in many formulas to improve the flow of water through the body. It is especially used inenergy formulas for this purpose. Poria contains the important chemicals beta-pachyman, beta-pachymanase, and pachymic acid. It is used for a variety of conditions affecting the urinary system, including fluid retention and difficulty in passing urine. It also has asoothing and tranquilizing effect on the nervous system, and can be very useful in treating stress related problems such as anxiety, tension headaches, palpatations, and difficulty in sleeping.

White Atractylodes: Atractylodes is another powerful energy tonic. It rapidly and effectively builds up energy. It also very invigorating and provides the body with power and strength. It is used by athletes in helping to build powerful muscles and endurance. It also aids in digestion and assimilation. It is especially useful for people with fatigue, digestive problems and anemia. When digestion is weak, the nutrients from the best diet can not be properly assimilated from the food. When digestion is strong, the whole body benefits, boosting general vitality and a sense of well being. It also has strong immune enhancing properties. When the immune system is strong, the body�s energy is protected. One of the main goals of good health is to protect the body against disease, because even a lingering common cold can greatly debilitate the overall vitality needed for success in life. A strong immune system allows the body to continue to accumulate more strength, energy and happiness, allowing one to live life to its full potential.

Ginger root: Ginger root has a warm energy and is used primarily to warm the digestive fire. It also improves breathing, by helping to release the accumulation of cold and damp energies from the lungs. Ginger also has been show to enhance the affects of both Astragalus and Ginseng, so these herbs are often seen together in the same formula.

Licorice root: Licorice root has more detoxifying agents that any other substance in the world. It has the ability to rid the body of more than 600 toxins without any detrimental side effects. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels, nourish the adrenal glands, and even to build muscle. It is a harmonizing herb, helping the diverse ingredients in various herbal formulas. It increases vital energy and is used to strengthen digestive and metabolic functions. It also aids the assimilation of nutrients.

Licorice root, in the amounts of 1-5%, is added to many herbal formulas to enhance and harmonize the actions of all the other herbs in the formula. It is amazing that such a small amount can bring such profound results. This is the great strength of Traditional Chinese Medicine that the sum of all the whole herbal formula is worth more than the isolated parts.

Mentha: Mentha, or mint herb, calms the emotions and addresses gynecological problems by soothing the liver and eliminating constraint brought about by stress.It also has an affinity for the lungs. It is an important ingredient in formulas for colds with headache and sore throat.Mint is an herb belonging to the labiatae family, specifically mentha haplocalyx Briq. It consists of a squarish stem and elliptical, scaled leaves. Both the leaves and stem are covered with tiny white hairs. The plant has an aromatic odor and an acrid taste. Both the leaves and stem are used in herbal preparations, as is mint oil. Mint oil contains dozens of chemicals, acids and compounds, including leucine, menthol and aspartic acid. Together, these substances are responsible for many of mint�s healing properties. Studies have shown that mint can inhibit bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus albus and streptococcus, and viruses such as herpes simplex and vaccinia. Other research shows that it facilitates the flow of mucus in the trachea, and can improve the absorption rates of salicylic acid (the main ingredient in aspirin). In traditional Chinese medicine, mint is considered to have pungent, aromatic and cool properties. It is associated with the Lung and Liver meridians, and is used to expel wind heat, clear the head and eyes, clear up rashes, and remove liver qi stagnation. Taken orally, mint is used to treat diarrhea and painful menstruation, promote perspiration and dissipate body heat. It is also taken as a means of stimulating the nervous system. In addition, the German Commission E has approved the internal use of mint oil for a variety of conditions, including flatulence, gastrointestinal and gallbladder disorders, and catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract, and external use for myalgia and neuralgia.