The Raw Journal
Organic Activated Mixed Nuts - Great Taste Award Winner 2024
Our Activated Mixed Nuts have won a Great Taste Award 2024! The judges said, "These are generously-sized nuts, with a wonderful crunch.The soaking and dehydrating process has worked brilliantly, leaving great texture and bringing out the flavour." Try them for yourself: for snacking, or to add an extra crunch to a salad. Not only does the activation and dehydration process make them more delicious, it also makes all the wonderful nutrients extra bioavailable, and easier on the digestion. To celebrate we are putting them on Special Offer for all of August 2024! Reduced from £12.99 to £9.99 for the 200g bag. Get yours now.
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Kate Magic Interviewed in Mystic Mag
In the ever-evolving world of health and wellness, few figures stand as prominently as Kate Magic. A trailblazer in the raw food movement, Kate authored the UK’s first raw food recipe book, Eat Smart Eat Raw, in 2002, and followed it with the groundbreaking Raw Magic, the world’s first superfood recipe book, in 2008. Her journey is one of transformation, not just in diet, but in lifestyle and consciousness. Raising her three adult sons on a raw vegan diet while home educating them, Kate has dedicated her life to exploring and teaching the profound connections between food, self-love, and the universe’s boundless potential. Through her company, Raw Living, she has established the UK’s leading resource for raw foods and superfoods, empowering countless individuals to embrace a more vibrant, healthy way of life. Kate’s philosophy extends beyond nutrition. She believes that our time on Earth is a journey of self-discovery and love, urging us to step out of restrictive societal programming and into a mindset of abundance and possibility. In addition to her culinary and musical endeavors, Kate is a certified yoga teacher, functional nutritionist, and Reiki master. She has recently trained to be a QHHT practitioner, delving into past life regression to further aid in healing and personal transformation. Join Mystic Mag as we delve into the life and wisdom of Kate Magic, uncovering the secrets to living a life of joy, health, and limitless potential. Click here to read the full interview.
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Golden Berries: A Visit to the Source
Golden berries are one of nature's most extraordinary little fruits - tart, juicy, nutrient-dense and wrapped in their own delicate paper shell as if nature packaged them herself. I recently had the privilege of visiting the factory in Peru where our golden berries are processed, and learning more about this wonderful fruit. 🫐 What Are Golden Berries? Golden berries grow all across the world and are known by lots of different names: Physalis, Chinese gooseberries, Cape gooseberries, Incan berries and Golden berries. They are native to South America, but also grow in Asia. They are tart little balls, a little smaller than cherry tomatoes, which explode with juiciness in your mouth, encased in a delicate paper shell that makes it seem that they were packaged up by the fairies, just for you. Often, when I eat fruits like these and raspberries, I marvel at how incredible it is that mother nature has created them to be the most perfect candies for us. I was eating a lot of them in Peru, it's easy to find them and they are so fresh and tangy. When we get them in the UK, they are usually a bit old, so I took advantage of being where they grew, and enjoyed them for breakfast frequently. 🍊 Why Golden Berries Are a Super Fruit But of course, they are not just delicious, but fall into the category of super fruits for their high nutrient profile. They are high in antioxidants and rich in vitamin C (1 cup fresh berries contains 15mg). Like goji berries, they are a good source of beta-carotene. They are also known for their high bioflavonoid content, which is rich in antioxidants. Beyond that, golden berries contain an impressively broad nutritional profile for a fruit - including vitamin A, vitamin K, B vitamins (particularly B1 and B3), iron, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. They are also notably high in protein and fibre for a fruit, and their fats are predominantly of the unsaturated variety. 📜 A Brief History One of the oldest cultivated fruits in South America, the berries have been grown in Peru and Chile for nearly 4,000 years. The crop was prized by the Incan nobility and there was a time when they were grown almost exclusively for royal consumption, lending them the name "Inca berries." In the periods outside of its royal reservation, it has been an important staple for indigenous communities. It has a long history not only as a food source, but also folk medicine, being recorded for use both internally with a myriad of different applications and also as an external salve. 18th-century Peruvian women were even documented to be making perfumes out of it! 🏭 Inside the Factory In the factory, I watched the workers remove the paper husks from the fruits at lightning speed; each worker can process around 20kg berries per hour. I was also pleased to learn that the husks are composted, and then the compost is returned to the farmers, to minimise wastage. Once they have been prepared and inspected, they are sent off to the industrial dryers, where they are dried at low temperatures in order to preserve nutrients. 🍫 How to Enjoy Golden Berries I love to snack on a small handful of golden berries. They pair particularly well with cacao, and often when I am making my raw chocolate creations, I stir some into the chocolate. There's an awesome raw chocolate cake recipe in my Magic Kitchen book called Inca Redible Cake! There's also a Golden Salsa recipe there as well. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Q: What are golden berries and where do they come from? A: Golden berries - also known as Physalis, Cape gooseberries and Incan berries - are small, tart fruits native to South America, though they also grow across Asia. They grow encased in a delicate paper husk and are prized both for their bright, tangy flavour and their impressive nutritional profile. Raw Living sources ours directly from Peru, where they are processed at low temperatures to preserve their nutrients. Q: What is the difference between golden berries and goji berries? A: Both are considered super fruits with a high antioxidant content and are good sources of beta-carotene, but they are quite different in flavour and origin. Golden berries are tart and juicy, native to South America, and belong to the nightshade family. Goji berries are sweeter and chewier, native to China, and have a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Both make an excellent addition to a nutrient-dense diet. Q: How do you eat golden berries? A: Golden berries are delicious eaten straight as a snack - a small handful is all you need. They pair particularly well with cacao and work beautifully stirred into raw chocolate. Magic Kitchen features two golden berry recipes: the Inca Redible Cake and a Golden Salsa - both worth trying. Q: How are Raw Living's golden berries dried and why does it matter? A: Once prepared and inspected at the factory in Peru, our golden berries are sent to industrial dryers where they are dried at low temperatures. This is important because high heat destroys heat-sensitive nutrients - low temperature drying preserves the vitamin C, antioxidants and bioflavonoids that make golden berries worth eating in the first place. Q: What do golden berries taste like? A: Golden berries are tart and tangy with a bright, citrusy edge, somewhere between a tomato and a passion fruit. Fresh berries straight from Peru are particularly vibrant; dried golden berries have a chewier texture with a more concentrated, sweet-sour flavour. Either way, they are one of the more addictive healthy snacks going. 🌟 Our organic Peruvian golden berries are sourced directly from the farm and dried at low temperatures - just as nature intended. [Shop Golden Berries at Raw Living →]
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Sweet Sleep
Getting the best night’s rest is both a science and an art, and it can make all the difference to how we feel about ourselves and our lives. In our hyper-busy world, many of us struggle to switch off after a day filled with emails, social media, workouts, and Netflix. We’re living at a high-intensity pace, absorbing roughly five times more information daily than we did forty years ago. No wonder proper rest has become a top priority. Jamie Oliver once said, “I literally have to treat sleep like a job, because there seem to be a thousand reasons that prevent me from just turning off and going to bed.”We love that idea. Taking your commitment to good sleep as seriously as your day job. So here are some of our top products to help you drift off into that elusive sweet sleep 🌙 Sweet Bee Organics Sweet Sleep Magnesium Butter 🧴Their star product, and with good reason. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll be hooked. Slather it on the soles of your feet before bed and prepare to sleep like the proverbial baby. Ancient & Brave True Nightcap ✈️A delicious way to get your magnesium in, especially helpful when travelling or adjusting to a new time zone. Raw Living Sleepiteea 🍵A beautifully aromatic blend of chamomile, lavender, tulsi, and ashwagandha. Perfect for winding down after a long day. Raw Living Pearl Powder 🦪Promotes calm and restful sleep. And because pearl is so good for your teeth, it can be taken before or after brushing without interfering with your nighttime oral routine. Tachyon Eye Mask 😴Eye masks are a must for triggering melatonin production. This one goes further. It soothes and heals while you sleep, especially beneficial for sinus congestion. Sleep Grounded 🌍Sleeping grounded connects you to the Earth’s electrons, helping the body shift into a deep, restorative state. A half-sheet is enough. Just make sure your feet are in contact with it overnight. Still struggling? Turn off all electrics. That includes phones, tablets, and Wi-Fi routers. No blue lights, no EMFs. Try audio support. Mantras, affirmations, and guided meditations can work wonders. Gamma waves are particularly effective for deep relaxation. Check out all our favourite sleep protocol products at the link below, and let us know which ones you love most 💫 Sleep well, dream deep ✨ Sweet Sleep Products
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The Three Treasures, Guest Blog by Dr. George Lamoureux
The three fundamental energies that are housed in all living beings are call Jing, Qi, and Shen. The integration of these three energies constitutes our very existence and they are considered to be treasures that should be protected, nourished, and balanced. When they are sufficiently preserved and cultivated, health and longevity of the body, mind, and spirit are achieved. Keeping them abundant should be the goal of every person. To neglect them is to neglect life itself. Jing Essence (Jing), “the giver of life,” is the First Treasure. The foundation of our existence. It is the root energy of the body that is responsible for procreation, physical energy, sexual energy, creativity, longevity, and youthfulness. The concentrated, refined, and regenerative energy that we receive at our conception that is meant to last us our entire lives. To preserve Essence (Jing), the Taoists avoided extremes and sought to maintain balance in their lives and activities. Find Jing Herbs Restore the Jing here. Qi Energy (Qi), “the breathe of life,” is the second Treasure. While Essence (Jing) is our deep reserve, Energy (Qi) is our day to day vitality. It is the energy we derive from the air we breathe and foods we eat. It is also our actual breathing. The deeper and more regulated our breathing, the healthier we become as blood and energy are more efficiently and deeply circulated to every cell of the body leaving them more nourished and vitalized. Find Jing Herbs Activate the Qi here Shen Spirit (Shen), “the light of life,” is the third Treasure. It is our mental, emotional, and spiritual well being as well as our connection to our higher self and the Divine. Spirit (Shen) is housed in the Heart and provides us with feelings of peace, calm, and serenity. It gives us proper perspective on our life and our place in the universe. When the Spirit (Shen) is strong, attachment to the mundane dissipates and we become more childlike, awakened, and at ease in the world around us. We become compassionate for and caring of others. Find Jing Herbs Awaken the Shen here. About Dr. George With a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture from the prestigious Yo San University and an extensive background in clinical and tonic herbalism, Dr. George Lamoureux is considered one of the world’s top authorities of Taoist tonic herbalism, health, longevity, and nutrition. He has over 25 years of experience dedicated to the principles of protecting, nourishing, and balancing Essence, Energy, and Spirit for thousands of clients who have sought his expertise. Find our extensive range of Jing Herbs products here. Not sure whether it's Jing, Qi or Shen that you need most support with? Pick a packet and work through it and just notice what effects it has. Or book a consult with Kate who can advise the right herbal and supplement programme for you.
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Adaptogens by Adriana Ayales of Anima Mundi Herbals
This is an edited extract from the book Adaptogens by Adriana Ayales, founder of Anima Mundi Herbals. You can purchase the book here. "The term "adaptogen" was coined by Nikolai Lazarev in 1957, to refer to substances that increase a state of "unspecified resistance" against multiple stressors. In 1968, Dr Israel Brekhman refined Lazarev's work by expanding his definition of Adaptogens. He created these three qualifications: 1. Adaptogens are non-toxic. 2. Adaptogens produce a non-specific response in the body. 3. Adaptogens have a normalizing impact on the body. Wellness is a cosmology, an all-encompassing landscape that embodies the emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual worlds of existence. A true state of wellness is not merely dependent on the condition or mind-set a person currently inhabits. Our level of wellness is finely interwoven with the intimate relationship we have with our community, our environment, and ourselves. This multifaceted universe of health and healing is cyclical, a living organism in constant metamorphosis. The call for plant medicine in today's culture is a symbol of humanity returning to its source. A profound rebirth is in process, and the role of the plant kingdom is increasing in significance. An essential bridge is being rebuilt between humans and nature, allowing us to access the realm of our origin and the land of the luminous. Plant medicines aren't just here to provide nourishment, shelter and protection from pathologies - they're here for a much larger purpose, and that is to bring us back to the original consciousness that prevailed on earth for millenia. Herbalism is the medicine of belonging, a gateway through which we keep alive a very sacred aspect to our source." The book contains in-depth information on all the most widely-used adaptogens, including Ashwagandha, Cordyceps, Reishi, Schizandra and Shilajit. There is also a beautiful recipes section, including Tonics, Elixirs, Broths, and Body Oils. This gorgeous book is a must-have for the collection of everyone interested in healing plants! Shop the full Anima Mundi Herbals range here.
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Raw Magic Academy on Vimeo
We've just launched our Vimeo platform as the new home for all the Raw Magic Academy videos. There's dozens of clips with snippets of info and advice on everything from doing raw foods in winter, to how to feed kids on a raw diet. If you want to dive deeper, some of the key topics are available as videos to rent or buy. And if you want to jump all the way in, there's an option to purchase all the videos in one fell swoop at a bargain price of 10% off. Kate has been a raw vegan for over 30 years, raised three children on the diet, and has taught in over 25 countries. There are few people in the world more qualified to share on how to sustain a raw food diet healthily and successfully. Please go and visit us there next time you are looking for raw food inspiration. The Legendary Quantum Cake (bestseller!) including a bonus vid on Ormus Raw Foods in Winter, including a bonus recipe for kelp noodles and a green soup Raw Magic – an intro to raw foods, my most popular talk Raw Chocolate Magic – 2-part video including recipes Raising Raw Kids, including a bonus recipe for raw pasta sauce Superfoods Easy Detox Techniques, including a detox protocol Hydration including milk, juice and smoothie recipes Recipe video: Raw Savouries including salads, sushi, chia, mayo, relish Dehydrators & dehydrator recipes including burgers, breads, crackers and kale chips Click here to visit our Vimeo channel. Please note, if you previously purchased videos on the Academy, they are still available to view on there. If you have any problems using that site please email us hello@rawliving.co.uk.
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Hydration Is Key
Did you know that plain water is not the most efficient way to hydrate? Water acts as a flushing mechanism in the body and so goes straight through you. Drinks that contain information in the form of healthy fats and naturally occurring vitamins and minerals are absorbed deeper into the cells, thus hydrating the body more thoroughly. Here are some ideas for you: Green powders and coconut water make the perfect pairing. Try a spoon of chlorella, spirulina, wheatgrass or barleygrass in a nice tall glass of chilled coconut water for a refreshing and cleansing drink. MSM is a wonderful way to jazz up your water. If you don't enjoy the taste, just add a teaspoon with a splash of lemon and receive all those extra benefits from this important mineral supplement. Make a big pot of instant reishi tea with 1tsp reishi powder in a litre of water from the kettle, and your favourite sweetener. Leave it to cool, and then bottle it in 250ml bottles and have it in the fridge ready for when you need a drink. Try Kate's Magic Lemonade recipe for the ultimate alkalising thirst-quencher. Green juice is a must! For the easiest green juice method, click here. Our favourite way to make plant-milk is with shelled hemp seeds. Try 2 tbsp of shelled hemp in a litre of water or coconut water. Add lecithin or tocotrienols for extra creaminess, and your sweetener of choice. We also love the fermented drinks kombucha, jun and kefir. Making your own is the best way to get a healthy dose of probiotics daily. Here's our favourite tea for kombucha making. If you are looking for a scoby, email us, we might be able to help you out with one of our babies! Lastly, nothing beats a cup of herbal tea, right? Forget chamomile and mint, we have some incredible medicinal teas drawing from the herbal traditions of Asia, South America and Europe in our comprehensive collection. With all these exciting options to choose from, staying hydrated is easy, in fact, you will be wondering how to fit all these delicious drinks into your day! And of course, it goes without saying, eating a raw plant-based diet full of fruits and veggies is going to help enormously towards maintaining those crucial hydration levels.
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Astragalus: A Guide To This Traditional Chinese Tonic Herb
Astragalus, known in Chinese as Huang Qi, meaning "yellow leader," is one of the most celebrated tonic herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. With nearly 5,000 years of recorded use, it has earned its place as one of only 50 fundamental herbs in the entire TCM canon, and remains one of the most widely used roots in natural health traditions worldwide. 🍃 What is Astragalus? Astragalus roots come from a flowering plant which grows in China and Korea, and it's considered one of the premier Chinese tonic herbs. Tonic herbs are recommended in Traditional Chinese Medicine to take on a regular basis to keep the body functioning optimally. Chinese medicine looks at the body through a very different lens than Western medicine, and the tonic herbs are dispensed to support the body's natural resilience and keep it functioning optimally, rather than waiting until symptoms appear and then diagnosing and treating the resulting conditions. It really is the inverse of the modern pharmaceutically-driven medical industry, where doctors profit from sickness rather than health. 🏮 Astragalus Use in Traditional Chinese Medicine In TCM astragalus has a strong connection with Wei Qi, the body's defensive Qi which supposedly circulates the body, protecting it against the cold. It was thought to provide immune support by regulating the opening and closing of pores, thereby keeping the skin warm. In TCM, Wei Qi is the body's first line of defence - circulating at the surface, regulating the skin and keeping external influences at bay. Astragalus was considered one of its primary tonics, prescribed wherever that defensive energy was felt to be depleted. It was also taken to increase overall vitality and support healthy ageing, and for this reason commonly taken alongside ginseng. The two together are known as the Shen Qi pairing, and is a foundational Qi tonic in TCM. Another common pairing for those seeking something gentler than ginseng is astragalus and codonopsis - Dragon Herbs offer an excellent capsule combining the two, which you can find here. 📜 A Brief History of Astragalus Originally described by Chinese Emperor and founder of TCM, Shen Nung, nearly 5,000 years ago as one of the premier tonics, it was originally prescribed to treat leprosy and abscesses. It was Wang Haogu who first classified it as a defender of the body's Wei Qi. He was a prominent scholar working during a time of great upheaval in Chinese society, where resources were scarce and disease was rampant. Wang Haogu had this to say about it: "It replenishes the defensive system...It boosts the Spleen and Stomach...Since it is able to treat cold damage with the cubit pulse not arriving, it supplements the kidney origin..." It's also one of the few herbs in TCM that is also present in Persian traditional medicine, both cultures having come to similar separate conclusions regarding its use. A related astragalus species was also mentioned in the 11th century Canon of Medicine — a book by Persian polymath Avicenna. In this book he wrote that it might "strengthen the spleen and support vitality." 🌱 Astragalus Nutritional Profile Astragalus is an adaptogen which is high in saponins, polysaccharides and flavonoids. It contains a unique substance called astragalosides, which are understood to play a role in the body's natural immune processes. Telomere length is considered an important marker of cellular health, and astragalosides have been of significant interest to researchers in this area. Beyond its unique compounds, astragalus also contains a broad spectrum of essential minerals including selenium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese. Its selenium content is particularly notable - selenium is one of the minerals men and women alike are most commonly low in, and contributes to normal immune function and normal spermatogenesis. 🛒 How to Take Astragalus Astragalus is available in tincture or powder form, and you can explore our range here. Raw Living's Tonic Power is a delicious chocolate-flavoured blend featuring astragalus and four other premier Chinese tonic herbs. Also check out Dragon Herbs' Supreme Protector formulation, which is composed of the four "kings of defence": Astragalus, Reishi, Schizandra and Cordyceps, and the Super Tonic Herbs range, many of which include Astragalus. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is the difference between astragalus and other adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha or ginseng? A: All three are adaptogens with long histories of traditional use, but they come from very different traditions. Ginseng and astragalus are both rooted in TCM, where ginseng is primarily considered a Qi tonic for energy and astragalus a Wei Qi tonic. Ashwagandha comes from Ayurvedic medicine and is often called Indian ginseng due to the structural similarity of its active compounds to those in ginseng. Each has its own character and the three are often taken together as complementary rather than competing herbs. Q: Is astragalus safe to take every day? A: Astragalus is classified as a superior herb in TCM, meaning it is considered suitable for regular long-term use as a daily tonic. As with any herb, it is best to start with a smaller amount and build gradually. Those on medication or with existing health conditions should consult a healthcare practitioner before use. Q: What does astragalus taste like and how do you take it? A: Astragalus has a mild, slightly sweet and earthy flavour - not unlike a light root tea. In its powder form it blends easily into soups, broths and warm drinks without overpowering them. It's also available in tincture form for convenience, or in capsules for those who prefer a no-fuss daily supplement. Q: What is the difference between astragalus powder, tincture and capsule? A: Powder is the most versatile and typically the most economical form, it can be added to food and drinks and allows you to adjust the amount easily. Tinctures are liquid extracts that are convenient and easy to take on the go, often considered highly bioavailable. Capsules are the most straightforward option for those who want a simple, tasteless daily supplement with no preparation involved. Astragalus has been a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine for nearly 5,000 years, and every product in our range has been selected with that same respect for quality and tradition in mind. [Shop Astragalus at Raw Living →]
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He Shou Wu: The Root Behind the Legend
He Shou Wu - also known as Fo-Ti or Fleeceflower Root - is one of the most celebrated tonic herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with over a thousand years of recorded use. Revered as a primary Jing herb and associated with longevity, hair vitality and deep nourishment, it remains one of the most sought-after roots in the Chinese herbal tradition. 🌱 What is He Shou Wu? He Shou Wu is one of our favourite Chinese tonic herbs, along with reishi, goji and schizandra. It is considered a superior herb - these are the herbs that Traditional Chinese Medicine believes are beneficial to take on a daily basis to support good health and longevity. As the primary Jing herb, He Shou Wu is a herb that can be enjoyed without restraint, in order to sustain spiritual well-being. It is actually prepared from the root of a vine that grows in China, that can grow up to 80 feet tall in the wild. The roots must be sliced and boiled with black beans initially, to inhibit the laxative effect, then steamed and dried. In TCM, black foods such as black bean, black sesame, and black rice are said to support kidney function, and so Jing energy, which is stored in the kidneys. He Shou Wu also falls into this category of black foods which are kidney tonics. 🏮 The Legends of He Shou Wu There are some great legends around He Shou Wu! Neng Si was believed to have first discovered it in China. After falling down drunk in the forest, he was struck by the unique appearance of some He Shou Wu vines growing nearby, so he picked it, took it home, and ground it into a powder. According to legend, his hair grew dark again, and he changed his name to Neng Si, which means "Capable of Bearing Offspring." The name He Shou Wu translates as "Black-haired Mr He." This legend tells of Mr He, who fell into a deep depression when he realised he couldn't have children. This depression also caused his hair to go white. However, according to tradition, after consuming the herb for a year, his hair colour was restored and he reportedly fathered a child at 56, going on to live until 132. The Taoist sage Li Ao had this to say: "I will reveal to you an herbal secret. Taking He Shou Wu helped me to father children. Originally, I preferred peace of mind, and under no circumstances did I want to take this herb, because I had heard it said that it was 'harmful to peace of mind' (referring to its stimulation of sexual desire). However, my spouse took it accidentally and we attained the greatest happiness. Since then I have continued taking this miraculous herb." Li Qing Yuen is said in legend to have lived until 252 years old, maintaining a youthful vigour until the end of his life. The story goes that he was born in 1680 and died in the 1930s - his secret reportedly being a daily soup of goji, ginseng and He Shou Wu. 🍃 He Shou Wu According to Traditional Chinese Medicine In Taoist tradition the root is not only seen as a simple medicine, but a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. It's long been connected with youth and energy, particularly through the support of the liver and kidneys. He Shou Wu's primary traditional association in TCM has been with supporting the liver and kidneys to increase longevity and health. It was given especially to the elderly to support vitality and reduce premature aging, where it's been said to bring colour back to hair and increase overall lifeforce. It has a long traditional association with the relief of lower back pain and general fatigue, particularly caused by aging or chronic depletion. Its association also extends to blood flow, having been traditionally associated with the regulation of the body's blood and the development of red blood cells. TCM aimed to achieve these effects through a tonic made by steaming the root as the raw root unprepared has quite a different effect; used as a laxative, it was known to be especially helpful in clearing wind from the body! Once steamed it was often mixed with other ingredients such as goji berries, black sesame, ginseng or schizandra to help draw out its beneficial properties. Dragon Herbs have the excellent 8 Immortals Tonic containing He Shou Wu, which can be found here. 🔬 He Shou Wu's Nutritional Profile He Shou Wu has a rich nutritional profile that helps explain its long-standing reputation as a tonic herb. It is a notable source of stilbenes, particularly TSG - a powerful antioxidant compound unique to the plant. It also contains emodin, as well as lecithin, zinc, iron and calcium. He Shou Wu is also rich in anthraquinones, which are the compounds responsible for its traditional preparation with black beans to reduce its laxative effect. Together these compounds contribute to its reputation as one of the most complex and nutritionally dense roots in the Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia. Modern Chinese research has much more to say about this plant that has evidently been used for well over a thousand years, and maybe one day we will be able to share those stories with you too. 🛒 How to Take He Shou Wu Our Raw Living He Shou Wu powder is the best value way to purchase the herb. You can add 1/2–1 tsp to soups, or use it as the basis of a coffee substitute drink. Dragon Herbs offer the finest quality He Shou Wu, which has been grown in a semi-wild state, harvested after five years, and then steamed for under a day, before drying. They produce it in both tincture and capsule form. For tea-making, you can purchase the dried root pieces, or find it as a core ingredient in our Eterniteea blend. It's also one of the key ingredients in our chocolate power blend, Tonic Power. Anima Mundi Herbals use it as part of their Collagen formula. You can find all He Shou Wu products here. ❓ He Shou Wu FAQs Q: What does He Shou Wu taste like and how do you take it? A: He Shou Wu has a deep, earthy, slightly bitter flavour with a subtle sweetness - not unlike a rich, dark root tea. It blends well into soups, warm drinks and coffee substitute blends, where its flavour adds depth rather than overpowering. Start with 1/2 tsp and build up to 1 tsp daily as your palate and body adjust. Q: Is He Shou Wu safe to take every day? A: He Shou Wu is classified as a superior herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, meaning it is considered suitable for daily long-term use as a tonic. As with any herb, it is best to start with a small amount and build gradually. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication, it is worth consulting a healthcare practitioner before use. Q: What's the difference between raw and prepared He Shou Wu? A: Raw He Shou Wu has a stronger laxative effect and is generally used in TCM for specific therapeutic purposes rather than as a daily tonic. Prepared He Shou Wu - which has been sliced, boiled with black beans, then steamed and dried - is the form used as a daily tonic herb and is the version you will find in most quality supplements. The preparation process is an important part of what makes it suitable for long-term use. Q: Can He Shou Wu help with hair health? A: He Shou Wu has a centuries-old traditional association with hair health, particularly in Chinese herbal medicine where it has long been used as a tonic for the kidneys - which in TCM are considered to govern hair vitality. Its rich antioxidant content, including the unique compound TSG, is thought to contribute to this traditional reputation. It is one of the reasons it remains one of the most popular herbs in the Chinese beauty tonic tradition. Q: How does He Shou Wu compare to other Chinese tonic herbs? A: He Shou Wu is considered a primary Jing tonic, which sets it apart from herbs like reishi, which is primarily a Shen tonic for the mind and spirit, or ginseng, which is better known as a Qi tonic for energy. He Shou Wu's particular strength lies in its association with longevity, kidney support and the deep replenishment of the body's foundational energy - making it a complementary rather than competing herb alongside others in the Chinese tonic tradition. Every He Shou Wu product we stock has been carefully selected for quality, sourcing and preparation. You can browse the full range here. [Shop He Shou Wu at Raw Living →]
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Travel Essentials
Here's our pick of the Raw Living Travel Essentials: Dr Bronners Hand Sanitiser - for public restrooms and long journeys with no washing facilities Medicine Flower Viroguard Spray - sanitising and aura-cleansing, a nice refresher on planes and trains Wunder Workshop Belly Blessing - a botanical tincture to aid travel tummy Living Libations Golden Tanning Oil - naturally protective with no nasties Nature's Greatest Secret Colloidal Silver Aloe Aftersun - soothing and calming for sore skin Power Immunity - homeopathic anti-viral, for protecting the immune system when you're far from home Ancient & Brave True Hydration - an electrolyte supplement to add to water, making it more hydrating and more delicious. Great for planes. Raw Living Chia Seeds - a number one travel food: easy to pack, easy to prepare when you're on the road, very nourishing and filling, and great for digestion Travel Snacks - we would pack a Be The Change, some Go Nuts! and a Four Sigmatic Reishi Sachet. What about you? Check out all these and more in our Travel Essentials collection.
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Breaking The Barrier: A New Quantum Field Theory For Tachyons
New Quantum Field Theory That Proves The Existence of Tachyons What was once considered the frontier of theoretical physics has taken a profound leap into reality. A landmark 2024 scientific paper has for the first time provided a consistent quantum framework for tachyon energy — validating what the tachyon community has long understood through direct experience. Here we explore the science behind this breakthrough and what it means for our understanding of energy, consciousness and life itself. Edited from an original article by Robert Lankester For decades, tachyons - hypothetical particles that travel faster than light - have lived at the edges of scientific respectability. They’ve been dismissed as mathematical oddities or relegated to the realm of science fiction, their theoretical existence plagued by deep inconsistencies with the framework of modern physics. But now, a team of physicists from institutions across Europe and Asia has made a breakthrough that should fundamentally change how we think about tachyons—and perhaps even time itself. In a new paper, published July 2024 in Physical Review D, physicists Jerzy Paczos, Kacper Dębski, Szymon Cedrowski, Szymon Charzyński, Krzysztof Turzyński, Artur Ekert, and Andrzej Dragan have developed the first fully covariant quantum field theory of tachyons. This new framework overcomes the three fatal flaws that have historically undermined attempts to include tachyons in the standard quantum field theory. A New Space for an Old Problem “The core issue,” says lead author Andrzej Dragan of the University of Warsaw and the Centre for Quantum Technologies in Singapore, “wasn’t the tachyons themselves, it was how we represented them in the quantum formalism.” Traditional attempts to quantize tachyonic fields used the standard Fock space, which works well for particles like electrons or photons. But tachyons are fundamentally different: they move along spacelike trajectories, and their energy-momentum vectors behave strangely under observation. The Return of the Two-State Formalism Perhaps most striking is the paper’s connection to a once-esoteric interpretation of quantum mechanics known as the two-state vector formalism, introduced in the 1960s by Yakir Aharonov and colleagues. In this interpretation, quantum systems are described not just by a wave function evolving from past to future, but by a pair of states—one evolving forward from the past and another evolving backward from the future. This time-symmetric picture has long intrigued philosophers and physicists but was considered optional in standard quantum mechanics. In the new tachyon theory, however, it becomes necessary. The twin space structure demands it: the two parts of the tensor product correspond directly to preselected and post selected quantum states, akin to the “in” and “out” states in particle scattering. This lends the two-state vector formalism a newfound physical footing—not as an interpretation, but as a built-in feature of a consistent relativistic quantum theory. Beyond Speculation While this pioneering work does not yet answer every question, it undeniably opens a gateway to a higher understanding. Earlier propositions that tachyons are neg-entropic—meaning they may reverse entropy and restore order—remain a tantalizing frontier further exploration. And yet, with this bold advancement, the twin-space formulation offers, for the first time in modern physics, a consistent, stable theoretical framework for tachyons—an achievement that has eluded the scientific world for more than five decades. Why This Matters Now We live in a world of expanding energetic complexity. More than 220 scientists from over 40 countries have expressed serious concerns over the EMF waves created by our electronic devices, and the rapid global rollout of 5G has only intensified that conversation. At the subatomic level where these frequencies operate, the question of how we maintain energetic coherence has never been more relevant. Our bodies are composed of Subtle Organizing Energy Fields — SOEFs — the energetic matrix from which all physical forms are made. Think of SOEFs as the energetic glue of the universe. In a world of increasing energetic complexity, many in the tachyon community believe that maintaining the coherence of these fields is one of the great opportunities of our time. The approach is not one of fear, but of empowerment — a multi-step journey toward living in a superconductive energetic space, addressing the personal, mobile, home, bedroom, car and work environments we inhabit every day. To become a superconductor of life force energy is to engage consciously with the energetic world around us. This is precisely where the science of tachyon energy becomes not merely theoretical, but lived. A Restructuring of the Energetic Continuum The implications of this breakthrough are profound. From a multidimensional perspective, the potential applications in the realms of holographic resonance and near-entropy quantum coherence are no longer distant visions—they are quietly arriving, poised to manifest. In theory, the energetic scaffolding is already in place. What was once dismissed as impossible, then reframed as improbable, has now become the emergent reality. And in this sacred moment of unfolding, we stand on the precipice of tomorrow’s transformation—a restructuring of the energetic continuum of life itself. In this light, we are invited not merely to observe, but to participate in a conscious evolution of both science and spirit. Become a Superconductor of Life Force Energy Living in a superconductive energetic space is not a single step but a conscious journey. Tachyonized tools offer a multi-step approach to energetic coherence across every area of your life. Here are the six key areas to address: Personal — Start with yourself. Tachyonized personal tools support your energetic field wherever you go. Shop Tachyon pendants Mobile — Your phone is with you all day. Tachyonized mobile solutions help maintain energetic coherence on the move. Shop phone disks Home — Your home is your sanctuary. Create a superconductive energetic space in every room. Shop home products Bedroom — Sleep is where we restore and regenerate. Support your energetic field through the night. Shop bedroom products Car — We spend more time in our cars than we realise. Don't let your commute compromise your energetic space. Shop car products Body — Wear a Tachyon scarf for protection wherever you are. Shop scarves To learn more, watch the video below with Tachyon pioneer and researcher, David Wagner. Frequently Asked Questions About Tachyon Energy Q: Is tachyon energy scientifically proven? A: In July 2024 a landmark paper published in Physical Review D provided the first fully consistent quantum field theory of tachyons, giving tachyon energy a credible and stable scientific framework for the first time in modern physics. Q: Are tachyons real? A: For decades tachyons were considered hypothetical, but a 2024 breakthrough by a team of physicists from across Europe and Asia has provided the first consistent scientific framework confirming their existence. Q: What is tachyon energy? A: Tachyon energy refers to faster-than-light subatomic particles first defined by scientist Gerald Feinberg in 1966. Q: Has tachyon energy been proven by mainstream science? A: The 2024 paper marked a significant moment for tachyon energy in mainstream science — published in Physical Review D, one of the most respected peer reviewed physics journals in the world, it represents a landmark shift from the fringes of theoretical physics into legitimate scientific discourse. Q: Is there any research on tachyon energy? A: Yes, and it spans decades. From Gerald Feinberg's original 1966 definition to numerous global research programs exploring tachyon's neg-entropic properties, the body of evidence has been quietly building.
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Celebrating Twenty Years of Raw Chocolate Making
At Raw Living, we believe we were the first in the world to commercially produce raw chocolate bars—a true revolution in conscious chocolate. How It All Began… 🌱🍫 In 2005, raw cacao wasn’t even available in powder form. Back then, we only had whole cacao beans, so we got creative—grinding them with Brazil nuts and agave nectar to create our very first raw chocolate bar: The Hi-Bar. By 2006, with the arrival of cacao nibs, we elevated our craft, launching the world’s first true superfood chocolate bars—including the legendary:✔️ Whoosh (Maca, Ginkgo & Vanilla)✔️ Be the Change (Reishi & Klamath Lake Algae)✔️ Hi-Lovers (Maca, Shatavari & Rose) And who remembers some of the bars that are no longer in production? There was Hi-5, packed with five different seeds, and Hi-Buzz, featuring energising bee pollen. Too Magic was our dreamy white turmeric bar, and Matcha Magic brought you all the green goodness in a white chocolate base. We even had a double-layered creation called SuperMagic, swirling Be The Change and Matcha Magic together in one decadently blissful bar. And let’s not forget LuckyMe, a vibrant blend of purple corn, ashwagandha, and blackcurrant. The Next Evolution of Raw Chocolate Now, we craft our bars in a dedicated raw chocolate facility, using the advanced techniques of conching and tempering to create a bar with unmatched velvety smoothness. But one thing hasn’t changed—our commitment to true superfood chocolate. What makes our bars stand out?✔️ High doses of medicinal superfoods—these aren’t just sprinkled in for marketing, they are included at levels that deliver real benefits.✔️ Pure unroasted Peruvian cacao—preserving all the antioxidants, minerals, and mood-enhancing compounds that raw chocolate is known for.✔️ Sweetened with Ecuadorian Cane Juice Crystals—a truly raw, vegan, fairtrade, and low-glycemic sweetener, with a luxurious melt-in-the-mouth texture. More Than Chocolate—It’s Alchemy 🍄✨ Each bar is designed not just to taste divine but to elevate your energy, nourish your body, and enhance your vitality. 🔥 Be the Change – Reishi & Klamath Lake Algae for deep immune support & cognitive clarity⚡ Whoosh – Maca, Ginkgo & Vanilla for energy, focus & stamina💗 Hi-Lovers – Maca, Shatavari & Rose for sensuality, balance & heart-opening joy🌿 Ceremonial Cacao Bar – A high-frequency cacao experience to bring ritual into your daily routine🍄 Mushroom Magic – A powerhouse blend of eight medicinal mushrooms, combined with salted caramel for a deeply grounding yet indulgent experience.🌰 The Shilajit Bar – Infused with mineral-rich Shilajit and creamy hazelnut, this bar is crafted for deep nourishment and sustained energy. This is not just chocolate. This is plant medicine, artisanal craft, and chocolate innovation—combined. 🌿 Raw | Organic | Fairtrade | Superfood-Packed | Handcrafted 🌿 Join us in the raw chocolate revolution—two decades in the making.
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