What types of medicinal botanicals are good for sleep?
While many brands incorporate Reishi mushrooms in their sleep formulas, instead we have chosen a very classic, century old Traditional Chinese Medicine formula that can be found in the seeds of the thorny deciduous tree called Wild Jujube, also known as Spiny Jujube or Wild Zizyphus. This herb is best known as Suan Zao Ren. Our Suan Zao Ren extract has been blended with other plant-based botanicals into a decoction called Suan Zao Ren Ten.
How exactly do these botancials promote sleep?
Cortisol is the hormone our bodies release during times of stress. It can be very helpful – for example, alerting us to threats and dangers around us – but it can also cause problems if it is released inappropriately. According to a study published by Frontiers in Pharmacology, Suan zao ren decoction therapy was effective and well tolerated for insomnia through sedative and hypnotic actions primarily mediated by the GABAergic and serotonergic system. Thus, Suan Zao Ren Formula could be an alternative treatment for insomnia in clinical practice. Suan zao ren, or Sour Jujube seed, was first recognized in the "Shen Nong's Materia Medica" of the Han Dynasty more than 2,200 years ago and was listed as the top grade of Chinese herbal medicine ingredients. Prominent Chinese physicians from ancient times to today identify suan zao ren as their first choice for addressing a whole range of sleep disorders. Chinese medical texts teach us that suan zao ren has the effect of nourishing blood and calming nerves, regulating qi, benefiting the heart and liver. The suan zao ren formula was recorded in the first herbal prescription for insomnia thousands of years ago and is still used today.
Are there research studies available to support claims that medicinal botanicals help sleep? Yes! Here is an easy-to-understand article:
What are some ways people can incorporate medicinal mushrooms into their routine?
First and foremost, as with all functional mushrooms, consumers will want to scrutinize the products they purchase while understanding the difference between "powders and extracts. Let me explain more:
Manufacturers that use ground mushroom powder, in lieu of an extract, provide the least health benefits. Consumers will want to look for highly concentrated extracts of their favorite functional mushrooms. Beta-glucans deliver much of the health benefits we enjoy, and these compounds need to be extracted from the cell walls of a mushroom. This cell wall, called Chitin is made of an indigestible fiber. Good Pharma mushrooms are a min. 6:1 extraction with the beta glucan standardized to 15-20%. We crafted our easy-to-use pour over infuser bag so your highly concentrated blends of functional mushrooms or TCM woven into our tea or coffee can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime.
Functional mushrooms contain beta glucans which are a naturally occurring polysaccharides, provide prebiotic gut support and immuno-stimulating benefits. Our two mushrooms, Lions Mane and Chaga, provide further support. Lions Mane supports and boosts cognitive function with daily consumption of extracts. Chaga enhances immuno stimulating benefits by regulating a protein knows as cytokines, which stimulate white blood cell production.
Once you understand the benefits of each functional mushrooms, you can begin to incorporate these into your daily routine.
