Blog

Goal Refining with Pine Pollen

One of the original products offered at RAW Forest Foods is the Endocrine Strengthening Formula Tincture.

We offered this in a 1 ounce bottle and it was made with RAW Pine Pollen, Chinese Ginseng Root, Tribulus terrestris, Nettle Root, and Ginger Root. Since that time, we have introduced several additional formulas all developed by master formulators and built around—and highlighting—Pine Pollen. These Pine Pollen formulas are intended both to hone effects and to refine goals.

Master Pine Pollen Formulas

A true herbal formula is a synergy of ingredients, where the end result is greater than the sum of its parts. In Chinese herbal medicine, herbal formulas are not simply collections of like sounding medicinal herbs–crafting them is an art and a science.

In Chinese herbal medicine, formulas are constructed with the following methodology (which has been simplified here for clarity and brevity):

Emperor (Sovereign) Herbs

Herbs in this main category represent the overall primary goal or target on the formula.

Minister Herbs

Here, herbs are included to support and/or assist the emperor herbs. Mostly likely, these herbs will have similar properties and therapeutic actions.

Assistant Herbs

Within the assistant herb category, herbs are included to either treat other symptoms or to lesson the undesired effects of the emperor or minister herbs (not negative side effects, but unwanted effects based on the overall goal of the formula). 

Messenger Herbs

Messenger herbs are used to both harmonize (synergize) the formula and to deliver the formula throughout the body (throughout the meridians).

At RAW Forest Foods, we consult and work with master formulators in building all of our formulas—Pine Pollen and otherwise—which  you can view here.

Endocrine Strengthening Formula

The Alchemy of Pine Pollen

The Product

The Endocrine Strengthening Formula is available both as a tincture (in 2 ounce bottles) and as capsules (120 count). The tincture is extracted to a potent, professional grade 2:1 extraction ratio, while the capsules are made with clinical grade 10:1 extract powders. The formula and the ratio of the ingredients in each version is the same.

The Endocrine Strengthening Formula is one of our top selling products.

Since this item originally launched in the Winter of 2010-2011, it has been reformulated—keeping all the original ingredients, but improving upon them.

The Goal: To increase testosterone and other androgen hormones both in the short term and in the long term.

Endocrine Strengthening Formula is designed with two main objectives.

Firstly, to enhance upon the key phyto-androgenic and pro-androgenic properties that people come to Pine Pollen Tincture for. 

Secondly, to offer sustainable, long term positive effects—effects that are greater than using Pine Pollen by itself.

The Formula

Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceus) Extract/Tincture

A classic tonic, adaptogenic herb, long used, revered, and extensively studied for its positive effects upon the immune system. Astragalus is considered one of the top adaptogenic herbs for supporting the whole body, including the endocrine system.

Tribulus terrestris (Bindii) Extract/Tincture

Coming from Ayurvedic (Indian) traditional medicine, Tribulus has long been used to promote longevity, as an adaptogenic, and—most importantly—to increase androgenic hormone production. Tribulus has been shown In Vivo to increase testosterone levels.

Chinese Ginseng Root (Panax ginseng) Extract/Tincture

Like Astragalus, one of the most important tonic herbs in Chinese medicine. Long used to promote wellness, longevity, and libido. Among many, many other properties, Chinese ginseng has been shown In Vivo to increase testosterone levels.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) Extract/Tincture

Until recently, Cordyceps were too expensive to be commonly used. Cordyceps have been shown In Vivo to increase red blood cell production and to improve endocrine function.

Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Extract/Tincture

Ginger Root is included in this formula to help increase the effects of Pine Pollen and to help harmonize and distribute the formula (as a messenger herb).

He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) Extract/Tincture

A Yin building, tonic herb. He Shou Wu is included in the Endocrine Strengthening Formula to help restore the body and to work at a foundational level to produce long lasting effects. 

Pine Pollen (Pinus massoniana) Extract/Tincture

Cheristed in modern times because of its pro-androgenic properties, Pine Pollen has earned much popularity because it is a source of phyto-analogs of the male sex hormones, including testosterone.

Stinging Nettle Root (Urtica dioica) Extract/Tincture

Known as The Male Herbal Ally, Stinging Nettle Root Extract supports high levels of free testosterone (interfering with sex hormone binding globulin) and reducing the conversion of testosterone to estradiol through the enzyme aromatase.

To learn more about the Endocrine Strengthening Formula, the ingredients it contains, and to purchase it,  please follow this link.

Eros’ Arrow Aphrodisiac Elixir Tincture

The Product

This is one of our more fun products. While we try to our approach to herbal medicine as objective and utilitarian as possible, with the Eros’ Arrow Aphrodisiac Elixir Tincture we are able to take traditional and Western medicine and research and add in a dose of whimsy—a necessity with an aphrodisiac formula.

This product comes as the request from many customers looking to target the aphrodisiac nature of Pine Pollen. Here, we wanted to create a formula that offers quick effects but does not lead to further depletion over time (as other aphrodisiac formulas can).

Eros’ Arrow Aprodisiac Elixir Tincture is a re-formulation of our RAW Aphrodisiac Tincture, and is available in a 2 ounce bottle.

The Goal: To offer immediate effects that to not cause depletion, while igniting and stoking the body, mind, and spirit.

Eros’ Arrow Aphrodisiac Elixir Tincture is unique in that the formula takes a holistic approach to aphrodisiacs and sexuality/desire. While other formulas may just be a collection of herbs labeled as “aphrodisiacs,” we reverse engineered this formula: First starting with an understanding of the complicity of what customers wanted and the complexities of sexuality, and building a formula around that.

The Formula

Pine Pollen (Pinus massoniana) Tincture

Pine Pollen is commonly used in tincture form because of the present phyto-androgens, plant analogs of the male sex hormones (such as testosterone).

Kava Kava Root (Piper methysticum) Tincture

Kava Kava (or more simply Kava) is the root of the Piper methysticum plant. People use Kava because it relaxes the mind, and it is known to increase both physical and emotional sensations, possibly including orgasm.

Bindi (Tribulus terrestris) Tincture

Most commonly referred to simple as Tribulus, this plant is a celebrated classic in Ayurvedic traditions, used to benefit many aspects of male reproductive health. Tribulus has been shown In Vivo to increase testosterone levels.

Deer Velvet Antler Tincture

Also know as Lu Rong, Deer Antler Velvet is a strong Yang tonic, appreciated for deep sexual rejuvenation and libido enhancing qualities.

Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium grandiflorum) Tincture

Epimedium is the source of the popular isolated compound icariin. Icariin has been researched for increasing libido and testosterone production. In our opinion, Epimedium has gained an unfair reputation in the West (largely because  of its common name, Horny Goat Weed). Epimedium is vastly unappreciated as a potent, medicinal herb with a solid scientific backing to its uses as a tonic for reproductive health and its use as a traditional, true aphrodisiac. Like Deer Antler Velvet, Epimedium (Horny Goat Weed) is a strong Yang tonic.

Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens) Tincture

Also known simply as Mucuna, this plant is used to promote desire and arousal. Mucuna naturally contains l-dopa, the chemical precursor to dopamine.

Sou Yang (Cynomorium songaricum) Tincture

Sou Yang is largely unknown of outside of Chinese medicine. It is a long and revered history of use as an herb for increasing libido and it is a strong Yang tonic.

Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis) Tincture

We include Ze Xie in this formula to help promote the long term effects of it and to help support the body.

To learn more about the Eros' Arrow Aphrodisiac Elixir Tincture, the ingredients it contains, and to purchase it,  please follow this link.

Pine Pollen + Lion’s Mane Tablets

Endocrine, Cognitive, and Immune Support

The Product:

The most recent Pine Pollen formula at RAW Forest Foods. Here, we combine two of our all-time favorite medicinal: Pine Pollen and Lion’s Mane. Here, the restorative deep nutrition, pro-androgenics, and adaptogens present in Pine Pollen are married to truly unique reparative and supportive properties of the Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) fungus. Lion’s Mane has been shown to promote cognitive and neurological health, and more specifically, to support neurogenesis (the birth of new brain (neuron) cells) and to repair nerves.

The Goal: To promote endocrine health and to promote neurological health.

When Pine Pollen is combined with Lion’s Mane, we are able to nourish the both and the mind. This is a true forest synergy.

The Formula

Pine Pollen

From our Mountain Harvest Pine Pollen, this formula includes RAW, cracked cell wall Pine Pollen, wild-harvested specifically from select Pinus massoniana pine trees.

Lion’s Mane Extract (Standardized to 40% Polysaccharides)

Botanically known as Hericium erinaceus, this fungus earns its name as Lion’s Mane because of its shaggy, fur like structure. The vast majority of research into Lion’s Mane focuses on the neurological and immune supporting properties of it.

To learn more about the Mountain Harvest Pine Pollen and Lion's Mane Tablets, the ingredients it contains, and to purchase it,  please follow this link.