Zoopharmacognosy is a ... Long word, isn't it? But we’ve all seen it in action around pets. Have you ever watched a dog or cat eat some grass and then throw it up? When they eat something bad or have an upset stomach or a parasite, this is a common behavior. But it is far from the only way … [Read more...] about Zoopharmacognosy
reishi
How to NOT Get Sick: Part 2
If you want to avoid getting sick, this article will dive into a number of things you can do from herbs and diet, energetics, mindset and more. There's no particular order as to importance in this list. If you missed it, be sure to go back and read part one for the foundational underpinnings to … [Read more...] about How to NOT Get Sick: Part 2
Can I take XXX with YYY herbs?
This question is one of the most common we get. So I decided to write one long blog post that answers every version of it with the herbs we sell at Lost Empire Herbs. (Yes, this is meant to be a bit of a joke but one meant to prove the point!) Can I take Tongkat Ali with … [Read more...] about Can I take XXX with YYY herbs?
How to Make a Liquid Suspension [Elderberry]
Personally, my preferred method of taking herbs is a tincture, because they are so simple and easy to use. Squirt it in your mouth and you’re done. This is easier than mixing powders into some sort of drink. Capsules are easy too, but still not as easy as tinctures in my opinion. And with any sort … [Read more...] about How to Make a Liquid Suspension [Elderberry]
Stress Management: How Medicinal Mushrooms Can Help
You may have heard of herbal adaptogens, which is a class of substances that work with the body to help it adapt and to promote balance (homeostasis). Adaptogens are well regarded for helping people to handle and manage stress and fatigue. Adaptogens do so in a way that regulates … [Read more...] about Stress Management: How Medicinal Mushrooms Can Help
Hiking for Mushrooms
At first, when I started hiking for mushrooms, I was bummed out to learn that Reishi, Chaga or Cordyceps don't grow in my area. Some of the most famous mushrooms just aren't here where I live. But then I got to know more about the mushrooms that do grow in my area and discovered: Lots of … [Read more...] about Hiking for Mushrooms
How to Pronounce Names of Herbs
How do you pronounce... Tongkat Ali, Shilajit, He Shou Wu, Ashwagandha, Eleuthero, Dong Quai, Cistanche, or our other herbs? Watch this video to learn how to properly pronounce these herbs, plus find a complete list below. Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) Shilajit He Shou … [Read more...] about How to Pronounce Names of Herbs
Amazing Paul Stamets Fungi Interview
I recently watched this amazing interview with Paul Stamets, one of the world's foremost mycologists, on the Joe Rogan Experience. (And in case you missed it Lost Empire Herbs was recently featured in an episode of Rogan's show where Ben Greenfield mentioned our Ant Extract. Check it out HERE. … [Read more...] about Amazing Paul Stamets Fungi Interview
Top Five Chinese Herbs for Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men. This fact alone proves that our heart health is central to life itself. Western medicine focuses on heart health mostly from a physical standpoint. Our heart is the center of our circulatory system—pumping blood … [Read more...] about Top Five Chinese Herbs for Heart Health
How to Use and Feel Nervines and Shen Tonics
If you want to feel the effects of herbs immediately, there are a few things you can do. One of the best categories of herbs to work with is the nervines. From Chinese medicine, the Shen tonics would largely include this group. https://www.youtube.com/embed/3_xrRoyjxkA Over the course of … [Read more...] about How to Use and Feel Nervines and Shen Tonics
Reishi Mushrooms – HIV, AIDS and Cancer
Dr. Andrew Weil states, "Reishi has been the subject of a surprising amount of scientific research in Asia and the West." This video shares some of the research surrounding HIV, AIDS, cancer and more, with Reishi's active components most studied including the beta-glucan polysaccharides and the … [Read more...] about Reishi Mushrooms – HIV, AIDS and Cancer
Fight Fatigue and Increase Your Energy
Your energy level can be a major indicator of the state of your health and well-being. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the concept of chi, or energy, is synonymous with life itself; hence, it is also referred to as our life force—the body’s vital energy. While chi is invisible there is a … [Read more...] about Fight Fatigue and Increase Your Energy
Most Mushroom Products Aren’t What They Claim
Once I saw this new research report come out, I knew I had to share it with you. One complaint we get is around our mushrooms being a bit more expensive than competitors on the market. Well, you see, you get what you pay for. A new study titled, “Evaluation on quality consistency of … [Read more...] about Most Mushroom Products Aren’t What They Claim
Herbs for Stress
If you’ve been into herbs for any amount of time and think about stress your mind likely goes to… adaptogens. After all the definition of this, is an herbal substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes. That’s all well and … [Read more...] about Herbs for Stress
Finding My First Reishi Mushroom
After several days of traveling by plane, bus, truck and boat we arrived deep in the Achuar territory in the Amazon jungle in the southern part of Ecuador. In Kapawi lodge where we were staying there was a number of flora and fauna guidebooks showing all the amazing biodiversity of the area (the … [Read more...] about Finding My First Reishi Mushroom
Polysaccharides and Beta-Glucans in Mushrooms
Before I got into medicinal mushrooms I had never heard of polysaccharides or beta-glucans, but these compounds are not unique to fungi, and instead are widely pervasive. There are very different functions among polysaccharides and even beta-glucans. The aim of this article is to clear up the … [Read more...] about Polysaccharides and Beta-Glucans in Mushrooms
Anti-Androgenic Effects of Reishi
Ganoderma lucidum, better known as reishi, is one of the very top herbs in Chinese medicine. It has earned the reputation as the mushroom of immortality and is well known for its healthful effects across a broad spectrum of areas. Yet, some men are steering clear of it for one reason...that it … [Read more...] about Anti-Androgenic Effects of Reishi
What I Gathered at the 2015 International Herb Symposium – Part 2
If you missed Part 1, click here to read it. Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina and Stress Relief It was my great pleasure to attend this lecture by one of the authors of the book with the same name as above, David Watson. That book was one of the first books we used for reference when we … [Read more...] about What I Gathered at the 2015 International Herb Symposium – Part 2
How To Stop A Cold In Its Tracks
This is something I've used in the past to stop a cold dead in its tracks and it worked pretty well. It's not the best experience for the senses, but it's much better than sneezing, coughing and laying in bed for a couple of days or more. This method works best if used at first sign of a … [Read more...] about How To Stop A Cold In Its Tracks
Ep22: Random Q&A
Once again, you ask and we answer. This week we had a wide range of questions. Are any of your herbs organic? Would you go into more detail about the health benefits of schisandra ( positive effects it might have on aging well)? Thank you. How long will herbs maintain their potency and … [Read more...] about Ep22: Random Q&A
Immunity
We all long to be healthy. No one enjoys being sick or injured. Enjoyment is never the issue here. So it is of utmost importance to have an immune system working at the highest levels. (we're going to also talk about a concentrated wei qi booster for humans later). So what does a healthy one look … [Read more...] about Immunity
Benefits of Mushrooms
By Logan Christopher This past weekend was the 41st annual Fungus Fair in Santa Cruz, California. This was the second time I’ve gone to it. Its great for learning how to identify mushrooms, from the edible to inedible, medicinal to poisonous. They even have an ID table where you can bring … [Read more...] about Benefits of Mushrooms