[Latin Name] Panax ginseng CA Mey.

[Plant Source] Dried Root

[Specifications] Ginsenosides 10%–80%（UV）

[Appearance] Fine Light Milk Yellow Powder

[Particle size] 80 Mesh

[Loss on drying] ≤ 5.0%

[Heavy Metal] ≤20PPM

[Extract solvents] Ethanol

[Microbe]  Total Aerobic Plate Count: ≤1000CFU/G

Yeast & Mold: ≤100 CFU/G

[Storage] Store in cool & dry area, keep away from the direct light and heat.

[Shelf life]24 Months

[Package] Packed in paper-drums and two plastic-bags inside.

[What is Ginseng]

In terms of modern scientific research, ginseng is known to be an adaptogen. Adaptogens are substances that assist the body to restore itself to health and work without side effects even if the recommended dose is widely exceeded.

Ginseng due to its adaptogens effects is widely used to lower cholesterol, increase energy and endurance, reduce fatique and effects of stress and prevent infections.

Ginseng is one of the most effective antiaging supplements. It can alleviate some major effects of aging, such as degeneration of the blood system, and increase mental and physical capacity.

Other important benefits of ginseng is its support in cancer treatment and its effects on sports performance.

[Application]

1. Applied in food additives, it owns the effect of antifatigue, anti-aging and nourishing brain;

2. Applied in pharmaceutical field, it is used to treat coronary heart disease, angina cordis, bradycardia and high heart rate arrhythmia, etc.;

3. Applied in cosmetics field, it owns the effect of whitening, dispelling spot, anti-wrinkle, activating skin cells, making skin more tender and firm.

Horny goat weed, also known as barrenwort, but properly known as, Epimedium grandiflorum, is a popular herbal supplement to improve your libido, but should you actually be taking it? Find out here!

Scientific Literature:

Kim, D. H., Jung, H. A., Sohn, H. S., Kim, J. W., & Choi, J. S. (2017). Potential of icariin metabolites from Epimedium koreanum Nakai as antidiabetic therapeutic agents. Molecules, 22(6), E986. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28608833

Lee, J. K. C., Tan, R. B. W., & Chung, E. (2017). Erectile dysfunction treatment and traditional medicine—can East and West medicine coexist? Translational Andrology and Urology, 6(1), 91–100. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5313309/pdf/tau-06-01-091.pdf

Ma, H., He, X., Yang, Y., Li, M., Hao, D., & Jia, Z. (2011). The genus Epimedium: An ethnopharmacological and phytochemical review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 134(4), 519-541. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21215308

Qureshi, M., Mehjabeen, Noorjahan, Muhammad, S., Siddiqui, F. A., Baig, I., & Ahmad, M. (2017). Phytochemical and biological assessments on Lipidium meyenii (maca) and Epimidium sagittatum (horny goat weed). Pakistani Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 30(1), 29-36. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28603109

Tan, H. L., Chan, K. G., Pusparajah, P., Saokaew, S., Duangjai, A., Lee, L. H., & Goh, B. H. (2016). Anti-cancer properties of the naturally occurring aphrodisiacs: Icariin and Its derivatives. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 7, 191. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4925704/pdf/fphar-07-00191.pdf

Telang, N. T., Li, G., Katdare, M., Sepkovic, D. W., Bradlow, H. L., & Wong, G. Y. C. (2017). The nutritional herb Epimedium grandiflorum inhibits the growth in a model for the Luminal A molecular subtype of breast cancer. Oncology Letters, 13(4), 2477–2482. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5403390/pdf/ol-13-04-2477.pdf

Wang Y., Wang, Y. S., Song, S. L., Liang, H., & Ji, A. G. (2016). Icariin inhibits atherosclerosis progress in Apoe null mice by downregulating CX3CR1 in macrophage. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 470(4), 845-850. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26802470

Wu, L., Du, Z. R., Xu, A. L., Yan, Z., Xiao, H. H., Wong, M. S., Yao, X. S., Chen, W. F. (2017). Neuroprotective effects of total flavonoid fraction of the Epimedium koreanum Nakai extract on dopaminergic neurons: In vivo and in vitro. Biomedical Pharmacotherapy, 91, 651-663. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28494419

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Top 10 Natural Sweeteners & Sugar Alternatives

The average American is taking in 400 calories a day from added sugars! And while the consumption of refined sugar is on the rise, so are artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose (Splenda), ACE K and saccharin have been debated for years in regard to their damaging side effects. (1)

While all of these sweeteners are technically “safe,” according to the FDA, they are coming under increased scrutiny because of their side effects. Side effects from artificial sweeteners range from headaches and migraines to shrunken thymus glands, impairment of liver and kidney function, and mood disorders.

Refined sugars aren’t healthy either. Side effects of refined sugars include diabetes, tooth decay, obesity, heart disease, certain types of cancer and even poor cognitive functioning.(2) (3) (4)

Over the last few years, corn growers and affiliated associations have pushed high fructose corn syrup as a natural sweetener. This is simply not true. The vast majority of HFCS is produced from genetically modified corn.

Fructose is a simple sugar that is rapidly metabolized by the liver causing a “sugar high.” This quick-acting sugar is believed to lead to increased storage of fat in the liver, resulting in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, digestive upset and atherosclerosis. (5)

Fortunately, there are natural sweeteners that are healthy and tasty alternatives to refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners. According to a study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, substituting healthy sweeteners — including blackstrap molasses, maple syrup and honey — can increase the antioxidant intake. (6)

This study shows that replacing 130 grams a day of refined sugars (the average intake) with healthy alternative natural sweeteners can increase the amount of antioxidants you consume each day, in amounts similar to that of consuming berries and nuts.
Top 10 Natural Sweeteners

Raw Honey (1 tablespoon – 64 calories)
Stevia (0 calories)
Dates (1 Medjool Date – 66 calories)
Coconut Sugar (1 tablespoon – 45 calories)
Maple Syrup (1 tablespoon – 52 calories)
Blackstrap Molasses (1 tablespoon – 47 calories)
Balsamic Glaze (1 tablespoon – 20-40 calories depending on thickness)
Banana Puree (1 cup – 200 calories)
Brown Rice Syrup (1 tablespoon – 55 calories)
Real Fruit Jam (varies depending on fruit)

1. Raw Honey

Raw honey is a true superfood and one of my favorite natural sweeteners. It’s packed with enzymes, antioxidants, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin B6, riboflavin and niacin. Together, these essential nutrients help to neutralize free radicals while promoting the growth of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract.

One tablespoon of raw honey has 64 calories and has less impact on glycemic load than a single banana. It’s important to note that these are the benefits of raw honey. Once honey has been pasteurized, it loses the many of the health benefits that raw honey brings to the table.

Look for local raw honey at farmer markets and directly from local beekeepers. The darker the honey, the richer the flavor and the greater the health benefits.

How to use raw honey:

First, don’t cook with raw honey. Drizzle it on breakfast cereals, over your sprouted grain toast, on yogurt and for salad dressings.

You want to maintain as many of the nutrients in honey as possible, so keep it away from the heat. If you enjoy honey in your tea or coffee, wait until the drink is just tepid enough to sip comfortably, and then add honey to taste.

2. Stevia

Stevia is native to South America and has been used for hundreds of years in that region to support healthy blood sugar levels and prompt weight loss.

Today, stevioside, the element in the leaves that makes it more than 200 times as sweet as sugar, is available in liquid drops, packets, dissolvable tablets and baking blends. It has zero calories, zero carbohydrates and none of the nasty side effects of artificial sweeteners, making it an ideal natural sweetener.

Stevia is related to the sunflower, and some people experience a slight metallic aftertaste. If that has been your experience with stevia in the past, try a brand that is higher in the steviosides. Many find it to be sweeter, without a residual aftertaste.

How to use stevia:

Unlike raw honey, stevia is heat stable, so feel free to use it in any way you desire. Remember, it’s 200 times sweeter than sugar, so don’t use it in the same ratio.

For baking, this can present a problem, as refined sugar gives bulk to recipes. However, this can be easily rectified. To make up for the lost bulk when using stevia, use 1/3 to ½ cup of one of the following bulking agents: fresh fruit puree, yogurt, roasted winter squash, two whipped egg whites, or you can use 1–2 tablespoons of coconut flour.