Eight Immortals Adaptogenic Elixir contains eight of the premiere herbal substances known to mankind. It is made with premium WILD Chinese Ginseng, WILD American Ginseng roots and the primary anti-aging, adaptogenic herbs of China and Tibet, including Duanwood Reishi, WILD Mountain Reishi, pure Cordyceps, WILD Tibetan Rhodiola, WILD Schizandra, WILD Snow Lotus, Goji and premium grade He Shou Wu. This extraordinary elixir is a super-concentrated 8:1 tincture (8 pounds of herbs yields just one gallon of extract).
This is an all-in-one Three Treasures formulation. It would be easy to argue that if you were only able to consume one tonic herbal tincture, this could be it.
Traditional Function:
Builds Jing, Qi and Shen and helps regulate all 12 organ systems, as defined in traditional Chinese health philosophy*
Who Can Use It? Anyone
Specifications: 2 fl. oz.
Ingredients:
Wild Chinese Ginseng root, Wild American Ginseng root, Wild Red Reishi fruiting body, Duanwood Reishi fruiting body, Tibetan Rhodiola root, Tibetan Cordyceps, Schizandra fruit, Goji fruit, Snow Lotus flower, He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) root.
Other Ingredients: water, alcohol
Usage: 3-12 droppers per day or as directed by your health care practitioner
Human Energy Production and Transformation
There is a fundamental pattern of Qi production and transformation in the human body that must be understood by the tonic herbalist in order to help establish optimal functioning and thus radiant health. It is possible to influence this production and transformation, and with great skill one can have a truly significant influence, an influence that can change the course of lives.
At conception, the refined essence of the mother and father merge and become one within the new fetal cell, and this new life takes up residence in the womb. This united essence creates an energy that forms the foundation of the new human being's life. It is called the Original Qi (or Pre-natal Qi). During pregnancy, the fetus relies upon the mother to nurture and protect the Original Qi. However, at birth the infant becomes independent of the mother's direct umbilical nourishment and begins to breathe and eat by its own power. After birth, the Original Qi becomes active and aids in the transformation of foods and thus in the production of energy. Original Qi acts as the primary catalyst for all energy transformation in the body throughout one's lifetime, and it provides the fundamental life force that determines the lifespan and the innate vitality of the individual. It is also generally believed that the Original Qi has a major determining influence over both the length and the quality of one's life.
It is considered to be extremely difficult to enhance the Original Qi after conception, although it is not difficult at all to deplete and weaken it, and thus to weaken and in fact shorten one's life. The only way to strengthen the Original Qi is through specific highly sophisticated yogic techniques such as those developed by the Taoists in combination with the intake of certain extremely potent tonic herbs known as essence tonics. The Taoist yogic techniques include the practice of self-applied acupressure and exercises such as those performed in Qi Gong and Tai Qi Quan.
However, it is possible, through proper living to protect the Original Qi and to ensure a long and happy life. Excessive stress and abusive lifestyle are the factors that use up the Original Qi (pre-natal essence) before its predetermined time. Stress can have devastating effects upon the ability of the Original Qi to properly influence the transformation of Qi as well as the actual amount of Original Qi retained in the body. Excesses of every kind deplete the Original Qi. Sexual excess, dietary excess, emotional excess, and work excess in particular are believed to be particularly challenging. Bearing children can result in the loss of Original Qi if this energy is not protected before, during and after giving birth.
The Original Qi is said to reside in the Lower Field of Elixir (known as the Lower Tanden in Japanese, the Lower Dan Tian in Chinese and the Lower Dan Jun in Korean). This primal energy center is located internally, approximately three fingers width below the navel. It is associated with the Kidney function as defined in Chinese physiology. A person born with an abundance of Original Qi will have more vital force throughout their life and will have the opportunity to live longer than one who is born with less Original Qi. A person born with little Original Qi but who protects and enhances their essence and consistently enhances their Qi may live a long and fruitful life. It is now believed that the Lower Field of Elixir is actually associated with a large abdominal nerve center known as the hypogastric plexus.
When food enters the stomach, the Original Qi acts upon it and results in the extraction of Qi from food. In other words, this primal bio-electrical energy field located in or about the hypogastric plexus influences the extraction of ionized particles and electromagnetic energy from food as it is broken down into its basic components in the stomach. This extracted energy is known as Grain Qi. Under the influence of the Spleen function, the Grain Qi is directed upwards to the Lungs. In the Lungs, and again under the influence of the Original Qi, it mixes with the electromagnetic energy that has been extracted from the air by the Lungs (known as Air Qi), resulting in what is known as the Essential Qi, which can now be used by the body and psyche for all its functions.
The Essential Qi emerges from the Lungs in two forms, one known as Ying Qi and the other called Wei Qi. The Ying Qi (nutritive energy) circulates through the blood vessels and meridians (energy circuitry). It is the energy that nourishes and vitalizes the body. It is the energy that is used by the body for movement and thought and for the multitude of functions required in order to live. It is said to be a combination of Heavenly and Earthly energies. Because it is nourishing, it is considered to be relatively yin when compared to the Wei Qi.
The Wei Qi (defense energy) also is derived from the Essential Qi created in the Lungs. However, its function is not to nourish the body and mind, but to protect it. The Wei Qi does not flow through vessels or meridians like the Ying Qi, but circulates instead in the subcutaneous tissues between the skin and muscle and in the fatty membranes of the abdomen and thorax. Its function is to defend the body against the attack of the "external influences" such as heat, cold, wind, dryness and moisture. The Wei Qi opens and closes the pores, produces sweating and shivering, etc. The Wei Qi is responsible for maintaining soft, resilient, active skin that is capable of adapting to changes in the environment and protecting the tissues and organs that lie under them. The Wei Qi is yang in nature because it is fast moving and resides primarily at the surface of the body.
If there is an abundance of Ying Qi, the excess enters a system of reservoirs known as the Extraordinary Channels. These channels maintain an immediate reserve of extra Qi that the body can utilize at the spur of the moment. As the Ying Qi circulates to the organs themselves, the organs absorb and utilize this nutritive energy. If the supply is abundant, and there is more Ying Qi than required, the yin organs concentrate and store the surplus. This stored energy is known as Jing (the word Jing means literally "essence" or "extract"). The six solid organs that are capable of storing surplus Qi can hold only relatively small amounts sufficient for their own needs, except for the Kidney. In fact the surplus energy of the whole body is stored in the Kidney (that is, the Kidney as defined by Chinese physiology). The Kidney is thus a reservoir of this highly refined energy that can be utilized by any organ at any time. One of the first goals of Chinese tonic herbalism, Taoist yoga and the higher forms of acupressure is to develop large reserves of Jing so that the body is always prepared for emergencies and extreme stress. If one never dips too low into this reserve and maintains an abundant supply of Jing, a long secure life will result.
If on the other hand the reserves of Jing and Qi in the Kidneys are used up, the only backup beyond that is the Original Qi. There is a great Chinese maxim that should never be forgotten --- it is a guideline for achieving longevity:
"It is all right to become fatigued, but never to become exhausted."
In other words, there will be no severe permanent consequences if one experiences some stress that requires utilizing some of the Jing reserves; but if one exhausts the supply of Jing and is forced to utilize their Original Qi, one will pay dearly indeed. This idea of avoiding extreme stress and thus avoiding the depleting of one's Jing while cultivating strong reserves lies at the heart of many of the standard health practices of the Oriental masters.
All of the energy transformations described here can be specifically influenced and coordinated with the tonic herbs. The use of the Chinese tonic herbs, as well as breathing exercises and diet therapy, profoundly influence the manufacture and transformation of the life energy. A knowledge of these energies and their transformations can lead to a better life --- and not even just our own or that of our clients. It is possible, by cultivating our own energy and by protecting our Original Qi, to enhance the energy that we pass on to our children. Jing, which is stored in the Kidney, is refined to an absolutely pure state in the reproductive glands, and it is this primal essence that energizes the sperm and ova and provides the genetic potential of our offspring.
This primal essence is in fact the final distillation of our life to this point, including the way we have eaten, acted, felt and thought. The vitality, happiness and longevity of our children, and theirs, will depend to a very large degree upon the quality and vitality of this primal essence. Enhancing this primal essence is one of the ultimate goals of life, whether we recognize it or not, for this is the determining factor in the survival of the species. Modern Western man has apparently not yet grasped the long range results of the way we treat our bodies. It is time to take the bigger view of life and remember that what we do at one moment will have consequences far into the future. We start by refining our character, practicing moderation in all things, accumulating Qi, cultivating essence (Jing), and protecting ourselves against the unnecessary loss of our Jing.*
Remember Ron Teeguarden's "First Rule of Tonic Herbalism, summed up in a single word: Compliance. If you don't take the herbs, they won't work."
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
