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A Commitment to Quality Over Quantity

In the week ahead, we will be relaunching a selection of our cherished products and customer favorites. These updates align with our primary focus in product development at RAW Forest Foods: making subtle yet meaningful improvements to the products and formulas already in our catalog. In a world that frequently values quantity over quality, we are making a concerted effort to prioritize delivering the finest possible products, rather than merely offering an abundance of new options.

Lost Desert Oasis Cistanche tubulosa Extract

RAW Forest Foods first introduced Cistanche tubulosa in the Spring of 2012, making us the first company in the US to offer this valuable herb. At the time, I did not fully realize the true significance of Cistanche tubulosa and how well it would serve our community of customers.

Since its introduction, we have kept the product almost unchanged, only increasing the size of the package. However, we have now made a major upgrade to the extraction strength, increasing it from the 10x (10:1) we initially offered to our 50:1 unstandardized extract, as is available in our Pine Pollen Extract and Nettle Root Extract.

On the most fundamental level, Cistanche tubulosa is an adaptogen, working with the body to promote improvement.

What is an adaptogenic herb? Adaptogenic herbs are a class of plants that help the body adapt to physical, chemical, and environmental stressors. These herbs have a normalizing effect on the body's physiological processes, and can help to restore balance and homeostasis. Adaptogenic herbs have been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems, such as Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, and are known for their ability to support the body's natural healing processes. Some examples of adaptogenic herbs include ginseng, ashwagandha, and rhodiola. The use of adaptogenic herbs can help to support the body's ability to handle stress, improve energy and stamina, and enhance overall well-being.

In Chinese medicine, Cistanche, known as Rou Cong Rong (肉苁蓉) and is used to nourish the Kidney, Jing, Marrow, and (in women) warm the uterus. These actions demonstrate the remarkable regenerative capabilities of Cistanche at the most fundamental level of health.

Cistanche is also well-studied in contemporary research, with studies suggesting a wide range of potential benefits, including improved circulation, brain health protection, immunity, endocrine function, and skin health.

It is inevitable that the price of this product will increase due to the 5x increase in potency, which comes with a significant increase in our costs. While we cannot avoid this price increase, we can assure you that we are not raising the price beyond what is necessary to cover the additional extraction costs.

Please visit the product page to learn more about Lost Desert Oasis Cistanche tubulosa Extract Powder.

Elevated Tongkat Ali Extract Powder

Our customers are well aware of our preference for broad, full-spectrum extracts over isolated extracts, and this is especially true when it comes to Tongkat Ali.

As I learn more about this herb and read the research papers coming out about Tongkat Ali, I become increasingly convinced of the benefits of using a full-spectrum extract, such as a 200:1.

This preference for a broad-spectrum extract arises from the fact that Tongkat Ali—when sourced from true Eurycoma longifolia—boasts a wide range of potential therapeutic benefits. In order to fully capitalize on everything this herb has to offer, it is necessary to capture all of the compounds it contains.

Research on Tongkat Ali has revealed the potential for:

• Anti-inflammatory effects;
• Antiviral properties;
• Increased dopamine (the neurotransmitter responsible for desire and motivation);
• Improved blood flow;
• Male reproductive health, including prostate health;
• Cognitive enhancement;
• Supporting the body's own production of male sex hormones, including testosterone;
• Anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties, including benefits against prostate cancer cells (it is crucial to emphasize that RAW Forest Foods is not claiming that Tongkat Ali—or any product—is a cure for cancer). *

Learn more about these properties in our Upgraded Tongkat Ali Extract Capsules blog post.

The Addition of an Isolated Eurycomanone Extract

It may seem contradictory that we have decided to add an isolated Eurycomanone extract to our Tongkat Ali Extract Powder (which we have already done with our Tongkat Ali Extract Capsules), given our preference for broad, full-spectrum extracts.

Eurycomanone is one of the beneficial compounds found in Tongkat Ali, and is responsible for the pro-androgenic benefits of the herb (i.e. its ability to support improved testosterone production).

Most customers—perhaps all of them—who are incorporating Tongkat Ali into their herbal medicine routine are doing so for this very purpose: to support improved testosterone production.

Using a combination of a broad-spectrum extract with an isolated extract allows us to reap all of the potential benefits of the herb while still targeting its pro-androgenic properties.

Our Elevated Tongkat Ali Extract Powder contains the following:

• Tongkat Ali Root Extract—Broad, full-spectrum 200:1 extract—75% of formula
• Tongkat Ali Root Extract—Standardized to 2% Eurycomanone—25% of formula

I am thoroughly impressed by the combination of the two and only wish we had made this move sooner. Follow this link to purchase  Elevated Tongkat Ali Extract Powder.

Elevated Pine Pollen and Nettle Root Extract Powder

Elevated Pine Pollen and Nettle Root Extract Powder has been upgraded with the addition of RAW Pine Pollen to the formula.

Previously, as an extract powder, this product contained only Pine Pollen and Nettle Root extracts ( the capsules have always contained RAW Pine Pollen in addition to Pine Pollen Extract). Because of the uniqueness of RAW Pine Pollen and the foundational support it offers, we are now including it in this formula.

If a hierarchy was constructed of the different preparations of Pine Pollen, RAW Pine Pollen would be at the top, followed by Pine Pollen Extract Powder, and then by Pine Pollen Tincture.

Here, we add just enough RAW Pine Pollen to activate the formula—laying the groundwork for the extract and for Nettle Root extract to truly excel.

The concentrations of the ingredients in the formula are:

• Pine Pollen Extract — Full Spectrum, full potency, unstandardized Extract — 50% of formula.
• Stinging Nettle Root Extract— Full Spectrum, full potency, unstandardized Extract — 30% of formula.
• RAW Pine Pollen™ — 20% of formula.

Elevated Pine Pollen and Nettle Root Extract Powder can be purchased here.

Elwha River Deer Antler and Eucommia Bark

Elwha River is receiving two upgrades, with improvements both to the Deer Antler and to the Eucommia Bark.

This formula is a strong Yang restorative.

Deer Antler (Lu Rong in Chinese Medicine) works on a fundamental level, similar to RAW Pine Pollen and to Cistanche.

At its core, Deer Antler is a Jing and Yuan Qi restorative, lending credence and parallels to its use in the West for anti-aging, for repairing tendons and ligaments, and for restoring sexual and reproductive function in women and men.

What are Jing and Yuan Qi?In Chinese medicine, Jing (also known as "Essence") is considered to be a fundamental substance that underlies all physiological and psychological processes in the body. It is believed to be the source of life, and is responsible for the body's ability to heal and regenerate. Jing is thought to be inherited from one's ancestors, and is considered to be the most fundamental and vital substance in the body. It is often associated with the Kidneys and the lower Dantian (energy center in the lower abdomen), and is thought to play a critical role in the body's overall health and well-being.
In traditional Chinese medical theory, Jing is believed to be the foundation of all other substances in the body, and is responsible for maintaining the body's overall balance and harmony. It is thought to be closely related to the body's reproductive and sexual functions, and is often associated with the production of hormones and other vital substances. Jing is also believed to play a role in the aging process, and is thought to be depleted over time due to the effects of stress, illness, and other factors. Some traditional Chinese medical practices focus on preserving and nourishing Jing in order to support the body's overall health and well-being.
In Chinese medicine, Yuan Qi (also known as "Original Qi") is considered to be the fundamental energy that underlies all physiological and psychological processes in the body. It is believed to be the source of life, and is responsible for the body's ability to heal and regenerate. Yuan Qi is thought to be inherited from one's ancestors, and is considered to be the most fundamental and vital form of Qi (vital energy) in the body. In traditional Chinese medical theory, Yuan Qi is believed to be the source of all other forms of Qi, and is responsible for maintaining the body's overall balance and harmony. It is often associated with the Kidneys and the lower Dantian (energy center in the lower abdomen), and is thought to play a critical role in the body's overall health and well-being.

In Chinese Medicine, Deer Antler:

• Is a Kidney tonic;
• Strengthens and warms Yang
• Strengthens Jing, Blood, the sinews (tendons and ligaments), bone, and marrow,
• Tonifies and nourishes Qi.

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

Eucommia Bark synergizes with Deer Antler.

With properties similar to Deer Antler, Eucommia (Du Zhong in Chinese Medicine) has the added benefit of improving circulation and reducing blood pressure.* Improved circulation enables the two herbs to diffuse their actions throughout the body.

Eucommia Bark is a:

• Kidney and Liver tonic;
• Strengthens sinews and bones;
• Promotes Qi and Blood circulation;
• Lowers blood pressure;
• Kidney Yang tonic.*

Here, the changes to the formula are again subtle yet dramatic.

The powdered Deer Antler Velvet (still ethically collected) as been improved, opting for a more expensive and rare unextracted powder to preserve the bio-actives present within it (contrary to what might be assumed, the unextracted powder is more potent and valuable).

Elwha River is formulated Deer Antler and Eucommia Bark at a 1:1, equal parts ratio, only now we are combining the broad, full spectrum extract previously in the formula with an extract isolated to contain Std. to 25% Chlorogenic Acid. Chlorogenic Acid is the identified active compound in Eucommia Bark.

The breakdown of ingredients is as follows:

• Deer Antler Velvet — Powdered; Select-harvested — 50% of formula.
• Eucommia Bark Extract — Full spectrum 10:1 extraction — 25% of formula.
• Eucommia Bark Extract — Standardized to contain 25% Chlorogenic Acid.

Learn more about this restorative yang tonic at the Elwha River product page.

TapRoot Deep Jing

Experience the Power of TapRoot Deep Jing

This product may not have the flashy appeal of some others, but it has earned its status as a customer favorite for a very good reason: it works. TapRoot Deep Jing is formulated to restore the body and help it more efficiently manage stress, energy, and hormone function.

But what does this mean? Adaptogens and tonics can improve the body's ability to cope with stress and maintain healthy energy and hormone levels. TapRoot provides the fuel that adaptogens need to work effectively. It helps build your internal reserves, making it the go-to choice for those who are feeling burnt out and exhausted.

Some may advise an extra cup of coffee to boost energy, but this is only a temporary solution that does not address underlying deficiencies or imbalances in the body. With its specific blend of restorative herbs including Dang Shen, Goji Berry, Glossy Privet, Cuscuta, Bai Zhu, and Bu Gu Zhi, TapRoot strengthens and replenishes vital reserves of Yin, Yuan Qi, and Jing, while also helping the body clear heat (a concept in Chinese Medicine similar to inflammation).

Formula Improvements:

We have improved the Goji Berry in this formula by using an extract standardized to contain 50% polysaccharides. When used correctly, Goji Berry is an important and restorative herb in Chinese Medicine, known for its ability to tonify the Kidney and Liver Yin. TapRoot Deep Jing can be purchased here.