For a while I've suspected that the powdered hot water extractions, though they embody the liver protective and immune activating aspects of Reishi, were not as SHEN (consciousness) active as tea or tincture. I take this back.
Dreamed last night I was running through a dark forest, bare feet wet with the dew. My teacher and I harvesting giant red, glowing, laughing Reishis in the night around us. What Bounty.
This mornings simple Recipe.
2 cups almond milk
1 heaping tablespoon Reishi 10:1 extract
1 spoonful honey
Shen is actived!
Reflections on the Practice of Letting Go,
Showing posts with label Reishi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reishi. Show all posts
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Friday, September 16, 2011
Reishi: Ganoderma Lucidum
Reishi is the most researched herb in the world. Studies have shown reishi to be immune modulating, that is stimulating to an under active immune system and calming to an overactive immune system. Reishi has been a valuable tool for many people in overcoming allergies. Reishi is a superb liver tonic and has ben used with out any toxic side effects for thousands of years.
Reishi is considered to be an adaptogen meaning it helps the body to "adapt" to stress. Its said that when taken regularly it reduces the bodies reaction to stress allowing us to remain calm and skillful in the face of intensity.
In Chinese medicine reishi is considered to be a long term energy builder. It is nourishing to Jing, Chi and Shen. While reishi's effects on the immune system certainly have powerful implications perhaps it has been most coveted for its effects on awareness.
Reishi is considered nourishing to Shen. Shen is a concept from traditional Chinese medicine which in yoga terms corresponds to the subtle bodies. In my personal opinion I believe that reishi accesses Shen through cultivation of lucidity. That is it makes us conscious of the
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Some Fun Kelp Recipes, that Kids might like
So I've had a surprising number of conversations recently with people struggling with how to incorporate kelp into their family's diet. If you're like "wait... what, Kelp?" click here.
Now take into consideration that my daughters have never had refined sugar, and its gettin' on 15 years since I have, but....
We've been working the kelp from quite a few different angles, one of my favorites is in "smoothies".... Not just any smoothie, Kelp can throw off the taste of a mere fruit smoothie, but what I've found is that it blends well with creamy, nutty, malty type flavors....
Another recipe approved of by my 2 year old daughters is this.....
Emerald Almond Butter
2 cups soaked almonds
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 teaspoon maca powder
2 teaspoons he shou wu extract
2 teaspoons reishi extract
2 tablespoons Chlorella powder
2 tablespoons Kelp (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon stevia powder
2 teaspoons powdered zeolite
2 teaspoons shilajit
optional:
honey to taste
this combined in the food processor until the consistency of a nut butter.
If needed you can slowly add liquid.... water, or chaga tea work nicely...
The idea is o get as much Kelp in as possible without the taste being overpowering.
Now take into consideration that my daughters have never had refined sugar, and its gettin' on 15 years since I have, but....
We've been working the kelp from quite a few different angles, one of my favorites is in "smoothies".... Not just any smoothie, Kelp can throw off the taste of a mere fruit smoothie, but what I've found is that it blends well with creamy, nutty, malty type flavors....
Another recipe approved of by my 2 year old daughters is this.....
Emerald Almond Butter
2 cups soaked almonds
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 teaspoon maca powder
2 teaspoons he shou wu extract
2 teaspoons reishi extract
2 tablespoons Chlorella powder
2 tablespoons Kelp (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon stevia powder
2 teaspoons powdered zeolite
2 teaspoons shilajit
optional:
honey to taste
this combined in the food processor until the consistency of a nut butter.
If needed you can slowly add liquid.... water, or chaga tea work nicely...
The idea is o get as much Kelp in as possible without the taste being overpowering.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Radiant Life Health Tip#1 Green Smoothies....
Green Smoothies, are a delicious and fun way to get those greenz.
Simple Recipe
2 cups liquid (water, juice, coconut water, tea, kefir or whatever)
a handful greens (kale, parsley, collards, ect.
1 Apple(peeled)
1 banana,
blend and enjoy...
Here's a more elaborate variation...
2 cups Chaga Reishi Dandylion tea
2 handful parsley or wild greenz (violet, lambsquarter, chickweed in season now)
1/2 cup soaked Goji Berries
1/2 Cup soaked Mulberries
1 cup sprouted Chia gel
2 tablespoons Maca
1 teaspoon He shou Wu Extract
1 teaspoon Astragalus Extract
1 Teaspoon Ashwaganda Extract
1/2 teaspoon Shilajit
Blend and Enjoy....
Friday, February 25, 2011
Tonic Herbs for Yoga Practice
Tonic herbs are non-stimulant plants that with consistent use over time condition the the body, mind or subtle aspects to be healthier, stronger and more vital. Tonic herbs and agents, often called adaptogenic herbs have a tonifying effect on the body. That is they challenge the bodies organs, or systems and with consistent use over time the body "adapts" to the challenge, or becomes immune. While antibiotics have the long term effect of creating stronger pathogen strains, and weakening our bodies own natural defense, many tonic herbs work with the body, nourishing, balancing ad harmonizing body systems in a way that prevents disease. Tonics have been used alongside self realization practices for thousands of years and have tremendous potential for aiding body mind and spirit on the path of of surrender.
Tonic herbs can be distinguished from stimulant herbs that may have a similar initial effect, in that they do not provide immediate benefits. Stimulants provide an initial effect, drawing from the body's reserve energies to create a heightened state more immediately. This is of coarse is then associated with a swing in the other direction, as the body comes back depleted from the stimulated state. This can become a malevolent cycle if more stimulants are used to compensate for depletion. A tonic on the other hand conditions the body over time to function on a higher level. Tonic herbs are associated with a benevolent cycle. Over time tonics can cultivate more energy, balance, strength and vitality, which manifests as feeling good, motivating us to live in a way that cultivates more of this. In the Yoga tradition this is called a satvic state and is most conducive to the awakened awareness we call yoga. A tonic subtly challenges body systems over time, and body becomes conditioned to the challenge. That is not to say that a tonic will not have a "feeling" associated with using it. Just like every food has a taste and changes the way that the body feels (whether we are conscious of that or not), so too every plant, every medicine will have at least a subtle feeling associated with it.
It can be useful to understand that while herbs may affect the physical body, organs, and systems of the body, they also act on the subtle layers of being. The body can be understood as existing on many dimensional planes. With the physical being the most solid, the body ripples out in ever more subtle expressions, thought emotions, and ever more subtle aspects. Transformation on one level of being, affects all levels of being, and far from being distinct from one another the bodies or koshas are one dynamic very connected experience. As esoteric as this may sound, it is very practical. When you exercise the physical body, it usually has the affect of elevating your "spirit" too. That is physical exercise reduces mental stress, lifts mood, and make you "feel" good. The experience we call "health" is that of "ease" in body, mind, emotions and the intangible experience. As far as tonics the benevolent or satvic state they cultivate in the body is not limited to physicality. For instance Reishi Mushroom is associated with nourishing Shen, or subtle energy. This can be understood in concrete terms as increased concentration and calm, or the quieting of mental chatter in yoga called chitta vritti. It is clear why Reishi has been used for many thousands of years in the Taoist tradition as a compliment or aid to meditation practice.
Like Yoga the use of tonic herbs is a practice. Like Yoga tonic herbs won't transform you if you don't use them regularly. Herbs have long been used along side Yoga practice with the intention of realization of the totality of self. Just As Yoga in India has worked alongside the Aryuvedic system, Taoism, Zen and Chi Gong have worked alongside Chinese medicine. The best way to get started incorporating tonic herbs into your practice is to pick one. By their very definition, tonics do not create harmful side effects in people. This does not preclude idiosyncratic reactions. As you start to include any new herb or food in your life, listen and feel the effect. Often you can intuitively sense how it is affecting you. Decoctions, are a traditional way that herbs have been consumed, but they can also be eaten. In my practice I use extracts as well because they can easily be added to food or smoothies or tonic elixirs.
For a list of high quality herbs and extracts we offer and descriptions you can visit radiantlifeyoga.
Tonic herbs can be distinguished from stimulant herbs that may have a similar initial effect, in that they do not provide immediate benefits. Stimulants provide an initial effect, drawing from the body's reserve energies to create a heightened state more immediately. This is of coarse is then associated with a swing in the other direction, as the body comes back depleted from the stimulated state. This can become a malevolent cycle if more stimulants are used to compensate for depletion. A tonic on the other hand conditions the body over time to function on a higher level. Tonic herbs are associated with a benevolent cycle. Over time tonics can cultivate more energy, balance, strength and vitality, which manifests as feeling good, motivating us to live in a way that cultivates more of this. In the Yoga tradition this is called a satvic state and is most conducive to the awakened awareness we call yoga. A tonic subtly challenges body systems over time, and body becomes conditioned to the challenge. That is not to say that a tonic will not have a "feeling" associated with using it. Just like every food has a taste and changes the way that the body feels (whether we are conscious of that or not), so too every plant, every medicine will have at least a subtle feeling associated with it.
It can be useful to understand that while herbs may affect the physical body, organs, and systems of the body, they also act on the subtle layers of being. The body can be understood as existing on many dimensional planes. With the physical being the most solid, the body ripples out in ever more subtle expressions, thought emotions, and ever more subtle aspects. Transformation on one level of being, affects all levels of being, and far from being distinct from one another the bodies or koshas are one dynamic very connected experience. As esoteric as this may sound, it is very practical. When you exercise the physical body, it usually has the affect of elevating your "spirit" too. That is physical exercise reduces mental stress, lifts mood, and make you "feel" good. The experience we call "health" is that of "ease" in body, mind, emotions and the intangible experience. As far as tonics the benevolent or satvic state they cultivate in the body is not limited to physicality. For instance Reishi Mushroom is associated with nourishing Shen, or subtle energy. This can be understood in concrete terms as increased concentration and calm, or the quieting of mental chatter in yoga called chitta vritti. It is clear why Reishi has been used for many thousands of years in the Taoist tradition as a compliment or aid to meditation practice.
Like Yoga the use of tonic herbs is a practice. Like Yoga tonic herbs won't transform you if you don't use them regularly. Herbs have long been used along side Yoga practice with the intention of realization of the totality of self. Just As Yoga in India has worked alongside the Aryuvedic system, Taoism, Zen and Chi Gong have worked alongside Chinese medicine. The best way to get started incorporating tonic herbs into your practice is to pick one. By their very definition, tonics do not create harmful side effects in people. This does not preclude idiosyncratic reactions. As you start to include any new herb or food in your life, listen and feel the effect. Often you can intuitively sense how it is affecting you. Decoctions, are a traditional way that herbs have been consumed, but they can also be eaten. In my practice I use extracts as well because they can easily be added to food or smoothies or tonic elixirs.
For a list of high quality herbs and extracts we offer and descriptions you can visit radiantlifeyoga.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Cordyceps Chaga Elixir for training.
Here is an elixir that incorporates the herbal extracts I sell at radiantlifeyoga.com
2 cups Almond Milk
2 cups tea of He Shou Wu, Reishi and Chaga
1 tablespoons Maca
2 tablespoons Cordyceps Extract
1 tablespoon Bee pollen
1 teaspoon Shilajit (use a wooden or plastic spoon)
1 tablespoon Chlorella
Had an interesting experience training. I haven't been able to train much in Capoeira lately, due to having three kids, but was invited to participate in Mestre Toca's workshop. Though I practice Asana everyday it is a very different energy and I feared that the vigorous Capoeira training would exhaust me. My body had been stiff upon waking and I had received blows in a roda on Friday night which from past experience I assumed would bruise. I practiced Yoga at 4:30 am Saturday morning and felt energetic, but a little beat up.
By 8:00 though when the days workshops began I felt completely recovered and filled with energy and concentration. Gone were any traces of fatigue from the previous day. That surprised me. I had anticipated being at less than my full potential. As the day of training went on, rather than feeling my energy levels going down, my energy levels progressively increased. I felt calm and balanced. We finished the 5 hour workshop with a roda up at the triangle park in downtown AVL. I noticed that almost everyone else who was training seemed to be experiencing some degree of fatigue. I atrribute my endurance to the cordyceps. After downtown roda I biked to teach a 5:30 yoga class at Asheville Yoga Center. Biking home I reflected on how I hadn't been this active since our daughters had been born 3 years ago.
I have been taking cordyceps extract on and off for about 2 years, with a break during our time in Costa Rica. Since we'd gotten to AVL though I have been pretty steady with it. At first I couldn't tell if the cordyceps were doing anything. Tonic herbs are non-stimulant and their effects can be subtle. As time has passed though the effects have become clear to me. Subtle effects add up over time, and I am keenly aware that cordyceps have made me bette able to adapt to to environmental toxins and stress.
Cordyceps extract is not stimulant, but transforms the body, immune system, opening the respiratory system, and balancing the endocrine system over time. I have been using cordyceps extract daily since September. I have had other powerful experiences which I attribute to the cordyceps, but this one stood out, because I was expending energy over a sustained period on such a light meal.
Cordyceps has been used for thousands of years in preventative, or Tonic Medicine, and was reserved by penalty of death for the Emperor and his court. Tonics are different from stimulants, in that there is no immediate effect. The effect of tonic agents is cumulative over time as they help the body to adapt to what ever stresses, pressure or tapas it is experiencing.
Cordyceps was introduced to the Western world in 1193 when 3 Chinese runners broke world records at the National games in Bejing. Suspicion that they were taking performance enhancing drugs led to testing, which came up negative for illegal substances. Their coach revealed they were taking cordyceps.
Cordyceps have long been known as an Athletes Tonic. They are said to increase the bodies ability to uptake oxygen, repair joints and increase muscle capacity.
Cordyceps has long been used as a sexual tonic and fertility agent, and cultivates vitality and recovery from exertion.
Cordyceps has long been used as an anti cancer agent and has both anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties.
Cordyceps Extract is available from Radiant Life Yoga.
2 cups Almond Milk
2 cups tea of He Shou Wu, Reishi and Chaga
1 tablespoons Maca
2 tablespoons Cordyceps Extract
1 tablespoon Bee pollen
1 teaspoon Shilajit (use a wooden or plastic spoon)
1 tablespoon Chlorella
Had an interesting experience training. I haven't been able to train much in Capoeira lately, due to having three kids, but was invited to participate in Mestre Toca's workshop. Though I practice Asana everyday it is a very different energy and I feared that the vigorous Capoeira training would exhaust me. My body had been stiff upon waking and I had received blows in a roda on Friday night which from past experience I assumed would bruise. I practiced Yoga at 4:30 am Saturday morning and felt energetic, but a little beat up.
By 8:00 though when the days workshops began I felt completely recovered and filled with energy and concentration. Gone were any traces of fatigue from the previous day. That surprised me. I had anticipated being at less than my full potential. As the day of training went on, rather than feeling my energy levels going down, my energy levels progressively increased. I felt calm and balanced. We finished the 5 hour workshop with a roda up at the triangle park in downtown AVL. I noticed that almost everyone else who was training seemed to be experiencing some degree of fatigue. I atrribute my endurance to the cordyceps. After downtown roda I biked to teach a 5:30 yoga class at Asheville Yoga Center. Biking home I reflected on how I hadn't been this active since our daughters had been born 3 years ago.
I have been taking cordyceps extract on and off for about 2 years, with a break during our time in Costa Rica. Since we'd gotten to AVL though I have been pretty steady with it. At first I couldn't tell if the cordyceps were doing anything. Tonic herbs are non-stimulant and their effects can be subtle. As time has passed though the effects have become clear to me. Subtle effects add up over time, and I am keenly aware that cordyceps have made me bette able to adapt to to environmental toxins and stress.
Cordyceps extract is not stimulant, but transforms the body, immune system, opening the respiratory system, and balancing the endocrine system over time. I have been using cordyceps extract daily since September. I have had other powerful experiences which I attribute to the cordyceps, but this one stood out, because I was expending energy over a sustained period on such a light meal.
Cordyceps has been used for thousands of years in preventative, or Tonic Medicine, and was reserved by penalty of death for the Emperor and his court. Tonics are different from stimulants, in that there is no immediate effect. The effect of tonic agents is cumulative over time as they help the body to adapt to what ever stresses, pressure or tapas it is experiencing.
Cordyceps was introduced to the Western world in 1193 when 3 Chinese runners broke world records at the National games in Bejing. Suspicion that they were taking performance enhancing drugs led to testing, which came up negative for illegal substances. Their coach revealed they were taking cordyceps.
Cordyceps have long been known as an Athletes Tonic. They are said to increase the bodies ability to uptake oxygen, repair joints and increase muscle capacity.
Cordyceps has long been used as a sexual tonic and fertility agent, and cultivates vitality and recovery from exertion.
Cordyceps has long been used as an anti cancer agent and has both anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties.
Cordyceps Extract is available from Radiant Life Yoga.
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