meet new friends | aka: ingredients

dandelion plant | aka: pu gong ying
🌿 A true diamond in the rough! Belonging to the asteraceae family, dandelion translates to “lions tooth” in French and is closely related to chicory root. It is rich in vitamins k, a, c, and b, calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, zinc, and iron.
🌿 It is used in t.c.m. to cool heat, resolve toxicity, directs and drains downward, and reduces abscesses, thus dispersing qi stagnation and internal clumping.
🌿 It can also be used internally and externally and is often used to treat skin conditions.
🌿 Having bitter and sweet properties it has a cleansing and detoxifying action on the body. Known for addressing inflammation, jaundice, infections, swollen eyes, and urinary tract infections. 
 
pubescent angelica root | aka: du huo
🌿 Angelica belongs to the apiaceae family and first appeared in the divine husbandman’s classic of the materia, which was compiled around 200-250 c.e. its harvested in early spring or late fall, then stacked and laid out for two to three days until they become soft, then usually completely dried out by being placed close to a fire.
🌿 Du huo dispels wind, and eliminates dampness and pathogenic cold. This exists in the body as a cold/wet/wind similar to what you would find in nature in our exterior world. It is also used for acute and chronic conditions, and has anti-inflammatory, sedative, and analgesic effects.

burdock root  | aka: niu bang
🌿 Also known as arctium lappa, used for centuries in a multitude of healing remedies, burdock is considered a potent yet safe lymphatic decongestant. Has a reputation for cleansing the liver and promoting the flow of bile.
🌿 Contains high levels of inulin that feeds healthy bacteria in your colon. It also contains iron, copper, calcium, potassium, chromium, resin, flavonoids, and much more!
🌿 An antifungal and antibacterial that purifies the blood by removing toxins from the bloodstream and is also great for treating skin conditions like acne, chronic rashes, eczema, and psoriasis.

poria root  | aka: fu ling
🌿 Also referred to in the states as hoelen root, it has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for 2,000 years. Traditionally it has been used for regenerating and reviving the body due to lack of sleep, stress, and fatigue.
🌿 In t.c.m. (traditional Chinese medicine) it strengthens the spleen thus helping clear in t.c.m. (traditional chinese medicine) it strengthens the spleen thus helping clear phlegm-dampness and fluid retention in the body.-dampness and fluid retention in the body.
🌿 A reputation for being a diuretic, liver protector, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-cancer.

calendula flower  | aka: jin zhan ju
🌿 Belongs to the asteraceae family, a cousin to the sunflower, and is also called marigold in northern America, with approximately 20 species now grown around the world.
 🌿 Aids in alleviating digestive issues including bloating, gas, abdominal distension, and irritable bowel syndrome.
🌿 Detoxifies the whole body and is a liver and gallbladder protector. It is also an anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial. Also used for colds, coughs, sore throats, and bacterial infections.

turmeric root  | aka: jiang huang
🌿 Belongs to the zingiberaceae family, in t.c.m. it regulates qi and blood stagnation, dispels wind obstruction, helps regulates menstruation, and eliminates clumped qi.
🌿 The polyphenol, curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, is a powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal. One downside is that the body does not easily absorb it, but when taken with black pepper its absorption is greatly boosted!
🌿 Has a reputation of not only fighting off low-level inflammation, but also viruses, and alleviating symptoms of herpes outbreaks.

long (black) pepper fruit  | aka: bi bo/ bi ba
🌿 Belongs to the piperaceae family and is sometimes referred to as bi bo or bi ba in china. One of the first documentations for medical use was in the materia medica of the kaibao era.
🌿 In t.c.m. it warms the middle jiao (mid section of the body) and releases cold stuck in the intestines. It also warms the stomach and promotes the movement of qi, this can all be contributed to its strong dispersing quality.
🌿 The chemical compound piperine, found in black pepper, is a powerful antioxidant that also aids in the absorption of other chemicals and drugs. Curcumin, a strong anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial found in turmeric, is not easily absorbed by the body. Piperine greatly enhances the absorption of curcumin by the body!
 
lemon | aka: nimbuka
🌿 Lemons, packed with vitamins, were an important provision on long voyages back in the day to help prevent scurvy. Some important gems contained in lemons are calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, folate, and vitamin c.
🌿 Not only do lemons have an alkalizing effect on the body once consumed, incorporating vitamin c rich foods with iron rich foods helps to amplify the absorption of iron.
🌿 Also contains antioxidant and antibacterial properties, reduces inflammation, and improves the function of blood vessels.