Anti-aging Herbs

Introduction Eleuthero root (Siberian ginseng)

 “Normalizers” vs. “Effectors”  Not ginseng
Tonics- the secret of every herbal system  Either gender
 Usually start at puberty  Slow acting
 Taken lifelong  After puberty- 2 capsules per day
 Usually gender specific Tienchi root
Tonics (adaptogens)- definition  Ginseng relative
 Food-like, low dose  Circulation, bleeding
 Low toxicity Other
 Slow action Ayurveda:
 Broad action for every system Ashwaganda root- main for men
 Increase stamina, immune function Shatavari root- main for women
 Push/ pull action (normalizers) Aloe vera- women’s rejuvenation
Major Tonics Fenugreek seed- phytohormones
 Caution with temperature action if skin Sarsaparilla root- sex function
condition Gokshura fruit (seed pod)- aphrodisiac
Triphala (amla, bibitaki, haritaki) Western:
 Universal tonic of Ayurveda Saw palmetto berry- general debility, especially
 Skin specific (eyes, liver, hormones) thyroid
Prickly ash bark- adrenals
 Safe for children
 2 capsules per day
Chinese:
Amla fruit
Ho shou wu root (“fo-ti”)- especially thyroid
 One of the strongest rejuvenatives Schisandra berry- especially women, lung
 Highest in vitamin C Astragalus root- minor tonic, immune
 Anti-inflammatory (hemorrhoids, gastritis, Bai zhi root- circulation to head (migraine)
colitis) Licorice root (Chinese, European)- universal medicine
 Eye, premature gray hair Rehmannia root (cooked), Chinese foxglove root)-
 Acute- up to 15 capsules per day blood, kidney, moisture- warming, tonic for female
 Lifetime- 2 capsules per day reproductive organs
Onion, garlic, ginger Red dates- sex hormones
 “Trinity roots” Red date seeds (Zizyphus)- sleep
 Immune function Cinnamon- circulation, digestion
 Sexual function (garlic aphrodisiac) Poria fungus- very mild general tonic
Ginseng root Bupleurum root- cold-stomach, intestines, liver blood
 Classic adaptogen circulation, lungs, benefits legs in general- PMS
 Types, uses Baical scullcap root- bladder, lungs, liver- cooling
 Learning, memory, cognitive decline, nerve Cordyceps fungus- stamina (athletes)
disease Tonic Foods
 Men- after 35, 2 capsules per day Rice, wheat, oats
Dong quai root Ghee
Dates
 Most used herb in world
Honey
 Main tonic for women
Mung beans
 Women- after puberty, 2 capsules per day Flax seed
Gotu kola leaf
Books
 Intellect, meditation Herbal Defense, Landis and Khalsa
 Superior for nervous system Chinese Tonic Herbs, Ron Teeguarden
 Circulation, especially blood vessels of skin, The Way of Chinese Herbs, Michael Tierra
mucous membranes Ayurvedic Healing, David Frawley
 Major skin healer The Yoga of Herbs, Lad and Frawley
 Acute: max as tea or capsules
 Lifetime: 2 capsules per day