Amalaki

Amalaki is the keystone of Zrii's formulation because it is the botanical for cellular rejuvenation. But we are not the first to see its benefits. For centuries, this small fruit, which grows in the fertile soil at the base of the Himalayas, has often been considered the most effective source for, among other things, promoting cellular rejuvenation, enhancing immune function, and increasing vitality.

More recently, many of these miraculous benefits have been explained, as scientists and nutritionists around the world have documented its properties and unique makeup. However, we still use only the purest, whole-food source of Amalaki found anywhere in the world, grown where it originated, fed by the cleanest air and water on the planet. Furthermore, the fruit is wildcrafted, a harvesting technique where the Amalaki is taken from trees as they are found in nature, hand-picked according to ancient techniques.

Ginger

For more than 2,500 years, Ginger has been used to treat ailments and please the pallet. Today the edible portion of the perennial plant is used worldwide in a variety of ways. In France they use it to flavor a liqueur and the United Kingdom produces a ginger flavored wine. In the Middle East, ginger powder is used as a spice for coffee and in the West, we use Ginger to satisfy our sweet tooth in gingerbread, ginger ale, ginger snaps—even ginger candy.

Generally Ginger is used to improve digestion, absorption and assimilation. In addition, Ginger has been used frequently for dyspepsia and colic, to ease pain from arthritis, has blood thinning and cholesterol lowering properties that can help treat heart disease, and can be an effective treatment for nausea. Gingerols have shown evidence of aiding the movement of the gastrointestinal tract and have antibacterial, sedative, antipyretic, and analgesic properties.

Turmeric

Native to tropical South Asia, Turmeric—often misspelled as Tumeric—thrives in temperatures between 20 and 30 degree Celsius with plenty of rain. After a process of boiling and then drying Turmeric in hot ovens, rhizomes are extracted from it, ground into a powder and used as a spice and dye. Curcumin, its active ingredient, has a peppery flavor and smells similar to mustard. Turmeric is used in many food products and can usually be found in curry powders.

Turmeric has demonstrated ability to compliment circulation and digestion. In India, it is used as an antiseptic to treat burns and cuts and Ayurvedic doctors value Turmeric for its fluoride. The United States National Institutes of Health is conducting four clinical trials to determine if curcumin is an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer, Alzheimer's and colorectal cancer. Curcumin has been used for thousands of years as a safe anti-inflammatory and may be an effective treatment for psoriasis. Finally, Turmeric has demonstrated some ability to help slow down the spread of some cancers.

Tulsi

Tulsi, also spelled Tulasi and referred to as Holy Basil, is an aromatic plant and, beyond its many culinary purposes, has particular spiritual relevance as well. Some Hindus consider a household incomplete without a Tulsi plant and still others provide structural spaces within the home especially for their Tulsi. In other spiritual practices, Tulsi is used to make necklaces.

Medicinally, Tulsi has been known to enhance digestion and intestinal health. The plant's extracts are also used in remedies for colds, headaches, stomach ailments, inflammation, heart disease, and malaria. Recent studies suggest that Tulsi may be effective as a painkiller and may help reduce glucose and cholesterol levels. It also has antioxidant properties.

Schizandra

Schizandra is a famous tonic historically consumed by Chinese royalty and by Daoist masters. Schizandra is renowned as a beauty tonic and is considered to be a youth preserving herb. It is also said to be a powerful tonic to the brain and is believed in China to improve memory. For the body, it is known to improve overall strength.

Schizandra may also help mental function and memory. It is used in many tonic formulations as an astringent, while in traditional Chinese medicine it is used to resist infections, increase skin health, and combat insomnia, coughing, and thirst. Modern Chinese research suggests that Schizandra has a protective effect and may help people with chronic illness.

Jujube

Jujube is a small tree or shrub with thorny braches, green, shiny leaves and edible fruit that, when mature, resembles a date (which led to the nickname Chinese Date). Jujube fruit has been cultivated for over 4,000 years and can grow in a wide range of temperatures—although hot summers are required to successfully produce fruit.

Jujube is known to calm nerves. By grounding the fruit to a powder, small amounts can be used to promptly reduce the effects of stress and purify the blood. In addition, the compound called Ziziphin found in Jujube leaves can suppress the sweet taste in humans and Jujube fruit helps sooth the throat.

Haritaki

All seven types of Haritaki fruit have their own unique look, flavor and benefits as well as anthraquinone-like (laxative) chemicals, tannins and astringents. Haritaki fruit is part of triphala, the three-fruit formula in Ayurveda. It is generally administered in triphala form rather than by itself to draw upon its tonic effects.

Haritaki has been shown to nourish tissues, particularly the heart, liver, and kidney. It is used to treat diseases of the eye (both internally and externally). In addition, Haritaki, by blocking the ability to utilize sugars, may help to eliminate bacteria and have cholesterol-lowering qualities.