Herbal Ingredients

Astragalas (huang qi) is a tough, fribrous root with a yellowish brown skin. It tonifies internal organs and strengthens immunity. It helps to improve blood circulation and lower blood pressure and blood sugar.

Atractylodes (bai zhu) is a rhizome which invigorates the spleen and regulates the stomach. This herb is often used for treating diarrhoea, reducing water retention and preventing miscarriages.

Bitter apricot seed (nan xingren) is the seed of the apricot tree. It relieves cough and breathing difficulty, moistens the intestine and relaxes the bowels. It is also used with other herbs to calm wheezing and treat constipation. This herb is slightly toxic; overdose may cause vomiting.

Chinese raspberry (fu pen zi) tonifies the kidneys and liver. It is often used to treat poor vision, frequent urination and men impotence.

Dried lily bulb (bai he) is a slightly bitter herb that moistens the lungs and clears the body heat. It is used to relieve cough and sore throat, and to tranquilize the mind.

Dried longan flesh (long yen rou) is a sweet and warming tonic to the heart and blood. It also benefits digestion and has sedative properties. This herb is often used to prepare sweet dessert soups, or to improve the flavour of dishes that contain bitter herbs.

Gingko nuts (bai guo) are the fruits of the gingko tree. These yellow fruits with a hard shell strengthen the heart, lungs and skin. They are traditionally used to eliminate phlegm and treat persistent cough. Recent studies have shown that these fruits are an effective antioxidant and help to increase blood circulation in the brain. They are now widely used as a health supplement to improve memory and promote longevity.

Ginseng (ren shen) is an "adaptogen" that balances blood pressure and sugar, and improves immune response. It also nourishes the body's vital fluids and has long been the favourite longevity tonic.

Glehnia Root (sha shen) is a health tonic which nourishes the lungs and benefits the stomach. It is used for treating chronic dry cough and to eliminate phlegm.

Ledebouriella Root (fang feng) helps to dispel wing, thereby alleviate body aches, painful diarrhoea and rheumatic conditions. It is also used to relieve spasm.

Lotus seeds (lian zi) have long been a traditional tonic for male sexual potency and to correct female menstrual disorders. It also has nervine properties that relieve nervous tension and insomnia.

Solomon's Seal (yu zhu) is a tonic which nourishes the stomach and promotes body fluid production. It is widely used to improve fatigue, loss of appetite, weak digestion, severe energy depletion and infertility.

Wax Privet Seed (nu jen zi) is a liver tonic which relieves headaches and eye problems caused by liver inflammation. It also tonifies the kidneys and is used as a male sexual tonic and to provide an overall boost to the energy system.

White fungus (bai mu er), also called "white tree ears," is a tonic to yin energy as well as to the lungs. It improves all respiratory functions, increases energy production and helps to regulate blood pressure.