Yogi

Asian ginseng root (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng root (Panax quinquefolius) are almost identical species that happen to grow on different continents. They are essentially equivalent in their health-promoting features. Both have been used traditionally as broad spectrum tonics that enhance long term stamina and support the immune system. Ginseng has a long-term anti-stress effect and supports healthy physical and mental performance, memory and reaction time. It enhances mood and improves alcohol clearance. Ginseng improves short-term stamina, blood circulation to the heart and supports proper cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It can even support healthy menopause, including helping maintain healthy vaginal tissues.

See Green Tea Leaf

Garcinia cambogia fruit, an exotic fruit from South India, contains the active ingredient hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which promotes weight loss. A placebo-controlled study in 1999 combined guggul extract (an Ayurvedic herb) with Garcinia cambogia extract and tyrosine. Over six weeks, twenty overweight persons experienced a significant decrease in body fat mass and average body weight. The subjects lost body fat, but not lean mass. Fatigue went down, and there were no adverse effects.

Gardenia Flowers were originally found only in China and Japan, but today there are over 200 different species of gardenia, mostly hybrids, throughout the world. Gardenia is used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is known as zhi zi. TCM uses gardenia primarily to calm irritability, but it is also used to support bladder and urinary tract health.

Ginger Root, the underground stem, or rhizome, of the plant Zingiber officinale, has been used as a medicine in many herbal traditions since ancient times. In Ayurveda, ginger is known as the universal medicine, and it's no wonder, since Ayurveda uses ginger for a wide variety of conditions, such as aiding digestion, relieving nausea and menstrual cramps and supporting healthy menstruation. Historically, ginger root was one of the most respected herbs for joint health, especially for aging joints. Ginger has also been used to support healthy peripheral circulation, so it warms up cold hands and feet, and will also promote sweating when that is needed.

Ginkgo Leaf is one of the oldest living tree species, dating back some 270 million years. Herbal medicine has used ginkgo leaf to benefit a wide array of brain, nerve, and circulatory conditions, including age-related memory loss. Primarily, ginkgo increases blood flow to the brain and central nervous system and promotes peripheral circulation. It is powerfully antioxidant and protects nerve cells, leading to the conclusion that it may help with diseases of aging, especially in the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. Ginkgo is a mood balancer, especially for those with reduced brain circulation, particularly elderly people. Herbalists also use ginkgo leaf to help relieve PMS symptoms.

See Ginkgo Leaf

See Asian (Panax) Ginseng Root

See Siberian Ginseng.

Goji berries grow on an evergreen shrub found in temperate and subtropical regions in China, Mongolia and Tibet. The Goji Berry is found in more than 40 different varieties and is considered one of the most nutritionally rich fruits on the planet. Long revered by Traditional Chinese Medicine for their longevity enhancing benefits, these berries contain vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, and E, plus more beta carotene than carrots and stronger antioxidant power than blueberries. The flavor of goji has been described as a cross between a cranberry and a cherry.

Gotu Kola is a superior herb for the nervous system. Known as "brahmi," which means "godlike" in the Ayurvedic tradition, it is used for its anti-aging properties and as an aid to meditation. It balances circulation to the blood vessels of the skin, mucous membranes, nerves and brain. Supporting healthy memory, concentration and intelligence, Gotu Kola has traditionally been seen to promote longevity, support healthy physical strength, improve the complexion and support age-related functions such as hair, skin and circulation. This herb stimulates proper growth of hair and nails, and increases the blood supply to connective tissue.

Grapeseed Extract is rich in procyanidins and resveratrol- antioxidants that combine to scavenge free radical and protect proteins and DNA from damage. According to scientists, procyanidins found in grapeseed are 20 times more efficient than vitamin C and 50 times more efficient than vitamin E at scavenging free radicals. Procyanidins also enhance the activity of vitamin C as an antioxidant. Grapeseed contains the highest concentration of procyanidins yet discovered.

See Green Tea Leaf

Green tea is made from the unfermented leaves of Camellia sinensis, the same plant that gives us black and oolong teas. All teas from Camellia sinensis are rich in antioxidants, but because green tea is the least processed, it contains the most antioxidant polyphenols, which are responsible for its many health benefits. Green tea is a more potent antioxidant than broccoli, carrots, spinach or strawberries. It has been shown to enhance immunity and benefit oral health. With a host of beneficial effects for the cardiovascular system, it has been shown to balance total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides, and to support a healthy ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol.

See Green Tea Leaf

Siberian ginseng, the common name for Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), is not a true ginseng, but a cousin of Asian ginseng. It has gained that nickname due to the fact that Siberian natives use it as a broad spectrum health enhancer, much the way ginseng is used. It has a long-term stamina enhancing effect.

See also Asian (Panax) Ginseng Root