Improving Extracts and Formulas in the Product Collection

A Commitment to Quality Over Quantity

In the coming week, we will relaunch a carefully curated selection of our beloved products and customer favorites. These updates reflect our unwavering focus at RAW Forest Foods: making subtle yet significant improvements to the products and formulas that our customers have come to trust. In a world where quantity often overshadows quality, we remain dedicated to delivering the finest products rather than expanding our offerings indiscriminately.

Lost Desert Oasis Cistanche tubulosa Extract Powder

Since its introduction in the spring of 2012, RAW Forest Foods has been proud to be the first in the U.S. to offer Cistanche tubulosa—a powerful herb revered in traditional medicine. At the time, I hadn't fully grasped the profound impactCistanche tubulosa would have on our community of discerning customers.

For years, we have kept this product unchanged, aside from increasing its package size. Now, however, we have significantly enhanced its extraction strength, elevating it from the original 10:1 ratio to a potent 50:1 unstandardized extract—bringing it in line with the premium quality of our Pine Pollen and Nettle Root Extracts.

At its core,Cistanche tubulosa is an adaptogen that works harmoniously with the body to support overall wellness. In Chinese medicine, known as Rou Cong Rong (肉苁蓉), it nourishes the Kidney, Jing, Marrow, and, in women, warms the uterus. These actions underscore Cistanche’s remarkable regenerative properties, supporting health at the most fundamental level.

Modern research further highlights Cistanche’s potential benefits, including improved circulation, brain health, immunity, endocrine function, and skin health. Given the 5x increase in potency, the price of this product will inevitably rise. However, we assure you that this adjustment reflects only the necessary cost to cover our enhanced extraction process. Visit our product page to learn more about Lost Desert OasisCistanche tubulosa Extract Powder.

Tahna Prana Elevated Tongkat Ali Extract Powder

Our customers are familiar with our preference for broad, full-spectrum extracts over isolated ones—especially regarding Tongkat Ali. As I went deeper into the research on this herb, I became increasingly convinced of the value of using a full-spectrum extract like our 200:1 formulation.

The broad-spectrum approach is crucial because Tongkat Ali, when sourced from genuine Eurycoma longifolia, offers a diverse range of therapeutic benefits. To harness the full potential of this herb, it is essential to capture all its active compounds.

Research on Tongkat Ali reveals its potential to:

• Reduce inflammation
• Exhibit antiviral properties
• Increase dopamine (the neurotransmitter linked to motivation and desire)
• Enhance blood flow
• Support male reproductive health, including prostate health
• Improve cognitive function
• Promote the body’s production of male sex hormones, including testosterone
• Exhibit anti-cancer properties, particularly against prostate cancer cells (it’s important to note that RAW Forest Foods does not claim that Tongkat Ali—or any product—cures cancer).*

You can explore more about these benefits in our Upgraded Tongkat Ali Extract Capsules blog post.

Introducing an Isolated Eurycomanone Extract

While we generally favor broad-spectrum extracts, we have decided to include an isolated Eurycomanone extract in our Tahna Prana Elevated Tongkat Ali Extract Powder (a practice we’ve already adopted in our Tongkat Ali Extract Capsules). Eurycomanone is a key compound responsible for Tongkat Ali’s proandrogenic benefits, particularly its ability to support testosterone production.

Most customers incorporating Tongkat Ali into their routine do so for this specific purpose. By combining a broad-spectrum extract with an isolated one, we can offer the herb's full range of benefits while effectively targeting its proandrogenic properties.

Our Tahna Prana Elevated Tongkat Ali Extract Powder Contains:

• Tongkat Ali Root Extract (Eurycoma longifolia Jack; 200:1 Concentration; Full Spectrum): 48.82% of Formula
• Tongkat Ali Root Extract (Eurycoma longifolia Jack; Std.to 2% Eurycomanone): 48.82% of Formula
• Black Pepper Fruit Extract (Piper nigrum; Std. to 95%Piperine): 2.35% of Formula

This combination is truly impressive, and I only wish we had made this enhancement sooner. You can purchase our Tahna Prana Elevated Tongkat Ali Extract Powder here.

Forest Prana Elixir Pine Pollen and Nettle Root Powder

We have also upgraded our Forest Prana Pine Pollen and Nettle Root Powder formula by incorporating RAW Pine Pollen™. Previously, this product contained only Pine Pollen and Nettle Root extracts as an extract powder (while the capsules have always included RAW Pine Pollen™). Given the foundational support provided by RAW Pine Pollen™, we are now including it in this formula.

If we were to construct a hierarchy of Pine Pollen preparations, RAW Pine Pollen™ would sit at the top, followed by Pine Pollen Extract Powder and then Pine Pollen Tincture.

In this new formulation, we’ve added just enough RAW Pine Pollen™ to activate the blend—laying the groundwork for the extract and Nettle Root extract to truly excel.

The updated formula consists of:

• Pine Pollen Extract (Pinus massoniana; Full Potency, Full Spectrum, Unstandardized): 45% of Formula;
• Stinging Nettle Root Extract (Urtica dioica; Full Potency, Full Spectrum, Unstandardized): 30% of Formula;
• RAW Pine Pollen™ Powder (Pinus massoniana; Cracked Cell Wall; Raw): 15% of Formula;
• Cape Jasmine Fruit Extract (Gardenia jasminoides; Zhi Zi; Full Potency, Full Spectrum, Unstandardized): 5% of Formula;
• Green Citrus Peel Extract (Citri reticulatae; Chen Pi; Full Potency, Spectrum, Unstandardized): 5% of Formula.

You can purchase Forest Prana Elixir Pine Pollen and Nettle Root Powder here.

Elwha River Deer Antler and Eucommia Bark Extract Powder Elixir

Our Elwha River formula is receiving two key upgrades, with improvements to the Deer Antler and Eucommia Bark components.

This formula is a powerful Yang restorative, with Deer Antler (Lu Rong in Chinese Medicine) playing a foundational role akin to RAW Pine Pollen and Cistanche. Deer Antler is a potent Jing and Yuan Qi restorative, widely recognized in the West for its anti-aging properties and its ability to repair tendons and ligaments, as well as restore sexual and reproductive function in both women and men.

In Chinese Medicine, Deer Antler:

• Tonifies the Kidney
• Strengthens and warms Yang
• Nourishes Jing, Blood, sinews (tendons and ligaments), bones, and marrow
• Tonifies and nourishes Qi

The Kidney (in singular) houses Jing and Yuan Qi, governing growth, development, reproduction, and sexuality, and gives rise to the Yin and Yang of the body.

Eucommia Bark synergizes beautifully with Deer Antler. With similar properties, Eucommia (Du Zhong in Chinese Medicine) offers the additional benefit of improving circulation and reducing blood pressure.* Improved circulation enables these herbs to distribute their effects throughout the body effectively.

Eucommia Bark serves as:

• A Kidney and Liver tonic
• A strengthener of sinews and bones
• A promoter of Qi and Blood circulation
• A supporter of lowered blood pressure
• A Kidney Yang tonic*

We have made subtle yet profound improvements to this formula. Specifically, we’ve opted for a more expensive and rare unextracted Deer Antler Velvet powder to preserve its bioactives, rather than using an extracted version. Contrary to what one might expect, this unextracted powder is both more potent and valuable.

The Elwha River formula now consists of Deer Antler Velvet and Eucommia Bark in a 1:1 ratio, with the Eucommia Bark component combining a broad-spectrum extract with an isolated extract standardized to 25% Chlorogenic Acid, the identified active compound in Eucommia Bark.

The formula breakdown is:

• Deer Antler Velvet (Select-harvested, powdered): 50% of Formula;
• Eucommia Bark Extract (Full-spectrum 10:1 extract): 25% of Formula;
• Eucommia Bark Extract (Standardized to contain 25% Chlorogenic Acid); 25% of Formula;

Learn more about this restorative Yang tonic on the Elwha River product page.

TapRoot Deep Jing Extract Powder Elixir

TapRoot Deep Jing has earned its place as a customer favorite because it truly works. This formula is designed to restore the body and help it manage stress, energy, and hormone function more efficiently. While it may not have the flashy appeal of some other products, it is a powerful tool for those seeking lasting, foundational support.

But what does this mean? Adaptogens and tonics like TapRoot Deep Jing enhance the body’s ability to cope with stress and maintain healthy energy and hormone levels. TapRoot provides the essential fuel that adaptogens need to function effectively, helping build your internal reserves—making it the go-to choice for those feeling burnt out and exhausted.

Rather than reaching for another cup of coffee to temporarily boost energy, consider addressing the underlying deficiencies or imbalances in your body. TapRoot Deep Jing is formulated with a specific blend of therapeutic herbs, including Dang Shen, Goji Berry, Glossy Privet, Cuscuta, Bai Zhu, and Bu Gu Zhi, to strengthen and replenish your reserves of Yin, Yuan Qi, and Jing, while also helping clear Heat (a concept in Chinese Medicine akin to inflammation).

Formula Improvements:

We’ve enhanced the Goji Berry component by using a standardized extract containing 50% polysaccharides. When used correctly, Goji Berry is a powerful restorative herb in Chinese Medicine, renowned for its ability to tonify Kidney and Liver Yin.

You can purchase TapRoot Deep Jing Extract Powder Elixir here.