Product Highlight: Endocrine Strengthening Formula

Improved; Emboldened; Strengthened; Balanced

We launched our Endocrine Strengthening Formula back in the fall of 2010—over five years ago. Rapidly it became a customer favorite for a balanced, yet potent formula for raising testosterone levels. First this formula was available as a 1:2 extraction ratio, and then we quadrupled the strength with a 2:1 extraction ratio. The formula has always contained professional grade hydro-ethanolic extracts—tinctures—of Pine Pollen ( Pinus massoniana), Chinese (Panax) Ginseng, Tribulus terrestris (known as Bindii in Ayurveda), Stinging Nettle ( Urtica dioica) Root, and Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Since we’ve introduced this formula a few knock-offs have appeared; none rivaling the formula (nor the strength of our extracts).

Since we launched this formula, we’ve learned so much: So much about the plants, about the needs of our customers, about formulas and combining herbs, about Chinese medicine, about…the list goes on. In our efforts to continually offer customers the best products possible, we’ve decided to reformulate our Endocrine Strengthening Formula. First we are introducing an updated tincture, and then we are introducing an updated powder extracts available in capsules. It is a tough decision to alter a formula that has proven successful for so many customers. But, in the end, it’s a necessary decision, because to not incorporate what we have learned over the course of RAW Forest Foods—for the sake of fearing change—is not fair to our customers.

So the formula has changed.

Working with our master formulator we have added several herbs to the original five. Those are Astragalus ( Astragalus membranaceus), Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis), and He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum).

The point of these additions is:

1. To enhance the individual and collective actions of the original herbs,
2. To add to the formula, increasing the overall potency of the formula,
3. To mitigate any unwanted effects of the herbs or of the formula. In Chinese medicine, the original ESF Tincture is a very “hot” formula, which works well but can exacerbate heat conditions.The main reason why we are reformulating is to balance the formula, making it thus stronger in the immediate and in the long run.

The goal of our Endocrine Strengthening Formula is to raise testosterone levels and to balance estrogen levels, thereby establishing the cascade of wellness that a return to healthy levels of these hormones will being around.

Specifically, our Endocrine Strengthening Formula is targeted to:

1. Raise levels of free testosterone and DHEA (through the use of Pine Pollen);
2. Increase the body's own production of testosterone, thereby restoring healthy homeostasis (through the use of Chinese Ginseng and Tribulus terristris (Bindii);
3. Decreases levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and aromatase, thus increase levels of free (active) testosterone and decreasing levels of estradiol (through the use of Stinging Nettle Root);
4. Helping to remove excess estrogen (estrogen detoxification) (through the use of Ginger Root).

These targets have only been enhanced, brought more crisply into focus, with the reformulation—with the additions of Astragalus, Cordyceps, and He Shou Wu.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus):

There are literally thousands of years of use of Astragalus as a longevity tonic and one of the most used and researched herbs today. In Chinese medicine, the use of Astragalus specifically supports the goals of our Endocrine Strengthening Formula.

Astragalus is used in Chinese medicine (where it is known as Huang Qi 黄芪) to:

1. Raise Yang;
2. Tonify Qi and Blood;
3. Tonify Wei Qi and Stabilize Exterior

Astragalus has been studied to have the therapeutic effects of:

1. Anti-cancer;
2. Anti-inflammatory;
3. Anti-diabetic;
4. Anti-oxidative;
5. Antiviral activities.
6. Cardio-protective;
7. Hepato-protective;
8. Immuno-stimulant.

Additionally, Astragalus has been shown to strengthen several aspects of the endocrine system, including increased levels of Insulin-Like Growth Factors (IGF-1).

Astragalus is a potent medicine and has been shown to interact with several prescription medications, including some used to treat diabetes. Please follow this link for more information and always consult with your prescribing physician before using any supplements and prescription drugs together.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis):

Similar to Astragalus, Cordyceps have also enjoyed thousands of years of use as a tonic, though until very recently (1970’s) Cordyceps were so rare that their application in Chinese medicine was severely limited. Vast amounts of research have been conducted on the effectiveness of Cordyceps for a myriad of applications. Because this tonic is cool in nature and its actions are synonymous with those of our Endocrine Strengthening Formula, its inclusion only makes sense.

Cordyceps is used in Chinese medicine (where it is known as Dong Chong Xia Cao 冬虫夏草; translated as Winter Bug Summer Grass) to:

• Enhancing kidney Yang and replenishing Essence (aka Jing);
• Invigorating both Lung and Kidney Qi
• Promoting general enhancement:

Cordyceps have been studied to have the therapeutic effects of :

1. Anti-apoptosis;
2. Anti-cancer;
3. Anti-inflammatory;
4. Anti-oxidant;
5. Anti-tumour;
6. Anti-viral;
7. Immuno-modulatory;
8. Increase sperm production;
9. Increased sperm motility.

Increased testosterone production;Cordyceps were put on the Western map during the Beijing 1993 Olympics, when the China’s women’s track and field team (under the guidance of Coach Ma Jun Ren) absolutely dominated and broke several world records.For a year predating the Olympics, the Chinese government had been stock-piling Cordyceps, and the women’s track and field team used a simply drink preparation of Cordyceps after training each day. Their success was attributed to the use of Cordyceps.

He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum):

The Chinese name He Shou Wu (in English it is known commonly as Fleeceflower) translates as Black Haired Mr. Ho.

The Chinese name of this herb tells the story of Mr. Ho, who was imprisoned as a young man. The He Shou Wu vine grew into Mr. Ho’s cell, and he ate the plant daily. Decades passed, the young Mr. Ho because the old Mr. He, but he retained his thick black hair, which didn’t thin nor gray, and the youth of his hair was attributed to the daily consumption of He Shou Wu.

Written in Beigao Shiwu Bencao Gang (1638 ± CE), Mr Ho states that

“Both of my eyes still were jade-green;
I was not very old, my hair was already white;
hunger and anxious thoughts often distressed me.
Shou-wu (He Shou Wu) stilled the hunger and cured the pain;
returned my youth and banished old age.
Its effect to provide relief in times of pressing need seems to be especially good.”

He Shou Wu is used in Chinese medicine (written as 何首烏; translated as Black Hair Mr. Ho) to:

1. Augments Essence (Jing);
2. Moistens intestines
3. Nourish Blood (and expels wind from skin);
4. Nourish the Kidney;
5. Nourish the Liver;
6. Promote the growth of hair;
7. Relieves toxic fire;
8. Treat premature graying of hair.

He Shou Wu has been studied to have the therapeutic effects of:

1. Anti-aging;
2. Anti-cancer;
3. Anti-hyperlipidaemia;
4. Anti-inflammatory;
5. Immunomodulation;
6. Neuroprotection.
7. With improvements seen in:
8. Alzheimer׳s disease;
9. Cancer;
10. Hyperlipidaemia;
11. Inflammation;
12. Parkinson׳s disease.

We hope to have this formula released very soon. The tincture are made; we're just waiting on the artwork to finish up. Then, we'll bottle them, send them to the warehouse, and start shipping them out to you. Check out the product page here.