Are we supposed to live to 120? So says longevity tradition of Chinese culture. Apparently, human beings should be living way past 80, 90, and 100. So what’s going on and why aren’t we reaching our potential lifespan?

Life, according to Chinese theory, is living in harmony with nature and our internal clock. The 1st half of our life, years 1- 60, are described as “yang” and the later years 60 – 120 as “yin”.

The problem is that the 1st period of life energy is over-consumed on a daily basis without replenishing. The hard work gets burned up too quickly. There’s too much emphasis in our contemporary culture on work-hard/play-hard rather than balancing or calming energy. An example of this is opting for shots of caffeine rather than enjoying a calming herbal tea.

Bryan Abel of Longevity herbs shares this: “The goal here is not only living beyond 60s or 90s but living everyday with physical agility and mental clarity.”

So how can you increase your lifespan?

Abel suggests lifestyle changes such as occasional detoxes and practices like Mediation, Yoga, or Tai Chi.

Traditional Chinese longevity herbs to help achieve this are Reishi, wild Ginseng, and Gordyceps.

What do you think about this theory?

It’s starting to feel like fall and the change of season is of deep significance in holistic medicine. Whereas the summer is ruled by fire, the fall season is ruled by metal which is all about getting organized, order, communication, and the mind.

Fall is associated with dryness so it’s important to pay particular attention to your diet this season. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that food is medicine so why not try a Yin-balancing soup! Here’s a great recipe for Asparagus and Almond Soup from The Tao of Foods

ASPARAGUS AND ALMOND SOUP

This is a warming yin soup, ideal for a cold fall day

INGREDIENTS:
¾ cup blanched almonds
4 cups vegetable stock
1 tbsp vegetable oil
4 celery stalks chopped
1 lb asparagus, trimmed and chopped
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup half and half
salt and pepper to taste
Cream
Toasted flaked almonds
Chopped parsley

DIRECTIONS:
1. Put the almonds and stock into a blender and puree until smooth. Strain, keeping the stock to use later.
2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the celery, and fry for around 5 minutes
3. Add the asparagus and cook for a further 5 minutes or so
4. Pour in the stock and add the parsley. Cover and simmer for around 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly
5. Puree in a blender until smooth, then return to gentle heat, and add the half-and-half and salt and petter to taste
6. Serve hot, garnished with cream, toasted almonds, and parsley

Visit our website for recommendations of supplements that are also good for the season such as a premium blend of cordyceps, ginseng and rhodiola roots designed to naturally restore the body’s balance called Adaptogen Blend.

Children should be taught at a young age to prefer whole foods to processed foods. It is the job of parents to instill healthy routines and this begins with breakfast.

Breakfast is important for children because it improves their concentration which means improved behavior and a better ability to pay attention in class. Some options for a healthy breakfast include mixing organic yogurt with fruits and sunflowers seeds. Avoid sweet brands of simple carbohydrates and also be mindful of using excessive dairy.

For lunch, hummus, sardines, hard-boiled eggs, omelets with vegetables, cooked or fried eggplant, tomatoes and egg salad all go well between pieces of whole grain bread. If your child prefers meat sandwiches, make sure the meat does not spoil in the heat and avoid mayonnaise. The sandwich must be kept at a safe temperature.

In terms of healthy snacking, the Health Ministry recommends that children ingest food every three or four hours. This is so they can experience feelings of satiety.

After school, encourage your child to get outdoors and exercise when they come home. Do not to spend all free time at the computer/ TV!

How do you encourage your children to maintain a healthy relationship with food and exercise?

(Based on http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/PrintArticle.aspx?id=281868 from the Jerusalem Post)

1) Sandalwood. Sandalwood is a popular oil used in many religious ceremonies. In terms of health, it is often used to treat dry skin and emotional stress. The scent is “syrupy, sweet, thick, and heady.” The best sandalwood comes from Mysore, India.

2) Nutmeg. Nutmeg is another prominent oil that is well known for its healing properties specifically with the digestive system. It is thought to break down starches, fats, and stimulate circulation. The scent is described as “warm and spicy with musky overtones.” Nutmeg is also great to use for detoxing since it has a purifying quality to it.

3) Ginger. This spice can be used as an oil with many beneficial properties. It is a “warm and spicy” fragrance with a lemony note to it. Ginger is used throughout the world for aiding digestive disorders, menstrual cramps, and relieving flu symptoms. It also has aphrodisiac qualities.

4) Jasmine. Jasmine can be found in the form of fragrant white blossoms grown all over Asia. Symbolically, it represents the “sweetness of a woman.” It also represents friendship and is a powerful Buddhist symbol. As a healing aid, Jasmine is believed to help relieve PMS symptoms, soften dry skin, and bring forth creativity.

Do you use essential oils or aromas in your health regime? Let us know what scents and oils you find most helpful!

We all know that post-massage it’s important to hydrate. But what should we be eating after we’ve enjoyed an hour or so of massage?

The answer is “simple.” Eat simple foods. After a massage you are feeling calm and your digestive system is extremely responsive. Here are a few snacks that we suggest because they are light but they also have many nutrients.

This example comes from the book “Asian Secrets of Health, Beauty, and Relaxation” by Sophie Benge, it’s a great post-massage recipe:

Tuna with Coriander and Ginger Dressing, and Spinach Noodles (one serving)

1 (6-8 oz) tuna steak
1 recipe Peper Mix (see below)
1 tbsp vegetable oil
¼ lb Spinach Noodles
1 recipe Coriander and Ginger Dressing (see below)
small bunch Chopped Coriander

Pepper Mix: Mix together 1 tbsp Cajun spice, 1 tbsp whole black sesame seeds, 1 tbsp (less if dried) fresh oregano, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp of roasted ground coriander seeds, 1 tsp roasted ground fennel seeds

Coriander and Ginger Dressing: Mix together 4 slices of ginger, ¾ cup of olive oil, 1 tbs rice wine vinegar, 1 tbsp or Mirin (rice wine), 1 clove garlic, salt and pepper to taste.

Method: Coat the tuna steak in pepper mix and pan fry in hot vegetable oil for two minutes on each side. Blanch the noodles for about two mins in boiling water .Drain them and then serve the tuna on top of the noodles and coat with the Coriander and Ginger Dressing and chopped coriander.

What other recipes would you recommend post massage? Let us know!

Here are three easy tips on ways to revitalize your hair using secrets based on eastern traditions.

1) For dandruff: Mix a large handful of crushed mint leaves into your conditioner and then leave it on your scalp for around 25 minutes. Afterwards, go ahead and rinse it out. You’ll be amazed how this little trick truly alleviates dandruff symptoms. It’s always great to go natural rather than using a strong chemical product.

2) For thinning hair: Use celery juice! Put celery into a blender or juicer, then massage the mix into your scalp. Leave in for several minutes, around 15, before washing out. The celery is great for fine hair and leaves it feeling more full and luscious.

3) For lackluster hair: lemon juice is your cure. Squeeze half a lemon into 1 cup of water. Then rinse your hair with this blend right after you’ve shampooed. Wash it out thoroughly and you’ll notice a definite new shine to your locks.

What do you think of these tricks? Have you used them before? Let us know what natural solutions work for you.

(Tips modified from “Asian Secrest of Health, Beauty, and Relaxation” by Sophie Benge)

What is PCOS? You might be surprised to learn that one in ten women suffers from PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome, and that it’s one of the leading causes of infertility. A syndrome means that there are several features of this illness that occur together such as signs or symptoms. Some syndromes have one cause such as Down Syndrome; others have many causes.

Symptoms of PCOS include: irregular or no menstruation, enlarged ovaries with multiple cysts, depression and anxiety, obesity (60% of women with PCOS are obese), and androgen virilization.

Androgen virilization is when women have “male” types of symptoms such as deepening of voice, hair recession or balding, hormonal acne, and excess hair growth (called “hirsute”) on places such as the face or chest.

There are several possible causes of PCOS, and one main theory is that it is a result of unhealthy insulin levels in the ovaries.

Insulin insensitivity disrupts the health of the ovary. The result is a hormonal imbalance and especially an increase in androgen production, resulting in many of the symptoms above.

Fortunately, Longevity Herbs offers a new product that can help balance this out. “Inositol” is used to balance the levels of insulin in the ovaries and it may help with the PCOS symptoms, especially the androgen virilization.

In one study, researchers concluded that supplements like Inositol is a “simple and safe treatment, capable of restoring spontaneous ovarian activity and fertility in most patients with PCOS.”

Inositol works by improving the way the ovaries use insulin and glucose – the energy supply to transform.

Another tip we suggest to improve fertility for women with PCOS (or men/ women in general) is to pursue a Mediterranian diet and especially to consume low levels of dairy. In our Beverly Hills treatment center, we have noticed that PCOS patients tend to eat high levels of dairy products.

PCOS is a very commen ailment and even though it is a burden for the women with this disorder, it may be managed through alternative treatments.

What do you think about using supplements to help alleviate symtoms of PCOS? Do you use any traditional or alternative treatments? Please share your success stories or experiences below!

We at Longevity Herbs want to share our thoughts on what you need to know regarding summer detoxing.

First, what exactly is a detox?
Detoxes are dietary plans that may help the body release toxins and support overall health. These plans vary but some include fasting, drinking juices, or eliminating certain foods from the diet on a temporary basis. Supplements are used to support the detoxification process.

Summer is a great time to detox because according to Chinese Medicine, a detox involves using “cooling” herbs. In other words, detoxing may lower your energetics. In summertime, with the heat outside, your body naturally wants to eat less, so it’s a great time to wash away the toxins within.

What are the stages of a detox? Most people think it’s a one step process of elimination but you need to look at it in two different compartments. Step one is to pull toxins out of the body and then there is a second step, where you need to support the body’s cleansing process.

Longevity Herbs offers two exceptional supplements to support those interested in doing a summer detox. The first is called Original Tea. It may be good for lowering cholesterol, increasing energy, and assisting in the first stage of the detox process.

The second product is called Wellness Renewal Plus PH. This supplement better supports PH balance and stamina while helping reduce chronic fatigue. Removes harmful compounds from the system thus assisting liver detoxification and general detox therapy. In fact, you could use Wellness Renewal Plus PH as a full detox because it not just eliminates but also replenishes, as mentioned above.

Are you going to do a summer detox? Let us know below!

These examples go against the common understanding that drinking and pregnancy is a major no-no. So what’s the truth? And what does Longevity Herbs– as advocates of organic, natural living and holistic medicine–promote?

First, our major issue with drinking during pregnancy is that it depletes vitamins including B6, B12, Folate, Vitamin A, and Calcium—just to name a few. Each of these vitamins is essential for the body to function at its optimum level. For instance, Calcium is needed for muscle contraction and expansion, hormones, enzymes, and promoting a healthy nervous system. Alcohol causes a loss of calcium which can lead to deficiency or even osteoporosis.

Secondly, alcohol has a high sugar content and the sugar plays a roll in clogging up the liver. When this happens the liver can’t metabolize as efficiently. Higher sugars affects insulin. The American diet is lacking greens to begin with, and drinking depletes this even further.
Long story short: all of this can interfere with pregnancy and/ or getting pregnant.

The next issue with drinking during pregnancy is that research is saying it’s okay to drink “moderately” when pregnant. This new study defined moderate as “no more than a medium-sized glass (175ml) of wine, two units, twice a week.” When you ask around, however, everyone has a different idea of what moderate really is. One glass of wine? Two beers? A whole bottle? This is dangerous territory. Too much alcohol will harm the baby. Alcohol is a poison. Do you want to gamble with your child’s health, behavior, and life potential?

At the end of the day, healthy eating, moderate exercise, supplements, and practices like acupuncture and yoga all help with a healthy pregnancy and fertility.

What do you think about this issue? Let us know below!

Mushrooms also contain the powerful antioxidant L-ergothioneine.

Among the mushroom types selected for use in our health supplements, Shiitake, maitake, oyster and king oyster mushrooms contain the highest amount of L-ergothioneine. But criminis, portabellas and white button mushrooms are also excellent sources.

Unknown to most people, mushrooms contain more protein than most vegetables, and their meaty texture can make them a good substitute in dishes calling for meats.

Shiitakes have been cultivated in China and Japan for 2,000 years. The shiitake mushroom has a rich, buttery, meaty flavor. When shopping for fresh shiitakes, look for dark brown caps that curve under and are nearly round. The gills should be tightly formed and moist. The only washing usually necessary is a gentle wipe with a damp cloth or a paper towel. Remove the stems where they meet the cap. The stems are too fibrous to eat on their own, but they can make an excellent addition to stockpots.

Shiitakes are in fact quite good raw, if you don’t mind their chewiness.

Another healthful mushroom is the reishi (ganoderma lucidum). Although very bitter and too woody to eat, the reishi is one of the most-widely used herbal remedies in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been used since the second century BC, though for a long time it was the exclusive prize of Chinese royalty.

Happily, in the 1970s it was successfully cultivated and has since become widely used. It has proven itself to be exceptional for battling allergies or bronchitis, and can help reduce problems related to hypertension.

Reishi also scavenges free radicals to retard aging and promote general healthiness on a systemic, cellular level. It is known to protect the liver and help instill calmness. And attention has been paid to reishi’s high concentration of polysaccharides—which are linked to cancer remission, hypoglycemic treatment and strengthening of the immune system.