In China, the traditional way to become healthy and stay fit is to take herbs in the form of delicious soups. Min Tong Herbs has prepared a ready to dissolve Chinese soup for you to use the same way it has been enjoyed for centuries.

Shiitake mushroom (Xiang Gu in Chinese) and Astragalus (Huang Qi in Chinese) are combined to be enjoyed in warm or hot water as teas or as a delicate, clear broth. One packet is for one cup of water. Shiitake mushroom is the mushroom of choice of millions of Chinese; and Astragalus is a very popular root used in China for centuries. According to the Chinese, Astragalus and Shiitake mushroom have significant medicinal benefits in addition to their wonderful flavor. For thousands of years, the average Chinese person has enjoyed significant health benefits from Shiitake and Astragalus extracted in this way.

The Shiitake mushroom is the most widely used mushroom in Asia. The Chinese have used Shiitake mushroom for many centuries for its medicinal, healing properties, but the extraordinary, pleasing flavor makes it a consummate treat.

Traditionally, Shiitake mushroom has been used daily as a broth or base for soups. It is an ideal substitute for tea and may be enjoyed throughout the day. Many Asians use Shiitake soup with rice and vegetables as a healing and warming breakfast each morning.

In China and Japan, Shiitake mushroom (Leninus edodes) is used as a general tonic and an immune system enhancer. Easy to be assimilated by the body, the Chinese have counted on the nutrients Shiitake provides for revitalization, digestion, ulcers, kidney and gallstone problems, and prevents softening of the bones and the lack of Vitamin D. It is also commonly used in China to lower high colesterol, as an anti-inflammatory, and used for hypertension, cataracts and anemia.

In addition, Shiitake has been recognized in China as an effective cancerous tumor fighter because of its rich concentration of the polysaccharide, Lentinan. Western scientists are currently researching polysaccharides' actions as both a tumor fighter and as an enhancer of antibody production. Lentinan shows anti-tumor, anti-viral (influenza) natural killer (NK) cell activation, stimulation of leucocyte reproduction and function, stimulation of antibody production, prostaglandin synthesis inhibition (thus, anti-inflammatory) and stimulation of interferon production. AIDS Treatment News (Issue 19, 12/5/86, San Francisco) cites the effectiveness of Shiitake mushroom extract in the treatment of AIDS.

Astragalus is one the superior tonic roots in traditional Chinese medicine. Astragalus has been shown to lower blood pressure, to enhance recovery from kidney disease, and to significantly enhance athletic endurance. In China, it is usually recommended for healing wounds, enhancing energy, especially after period of exhaustion, exposure, physical work and for people who are active in sports. It is believed to be more beneficial for younger adults than ginseng. It positively affects sugar metabolizing functions, and has some antibacterial effects.

A recent article in Cancer, and American Cancer Society publication, cites Astragalus for restoring the immune functions in 90% of cancer patients studied. Immune response is usually impaired in advances cancer patients and compromised by radiation and chemotherapy. From American Cancer Research Institutes and the National Cancer Institutes studies, researchers believe that there is clinical evidence that Astragalus strengthens the body's immune system and promotes adrenal cortical functions. It also helps prevent bone marrow depression and gastrointestinal toxicity caused by cancer treatment.

Chinese researchers have found that Astragalus promotes viral resistance and interferon production in mice. It is now being considered as a possible reducer of T-Suppresor Cells in AIDS patients. Astragalus contains glycosides, choline, betaine, linolenic acid, isoamritine and kumatahemin.

Because most of our customers, worldwide, are Doctors of Oriental Medicine who use our products to treat their patients, all of our herbs are prepared to have medicinal potency. The Min Tong Company has already made much progress distributing these herbal extracts in the Western world. Our purpose is to allow all people the opportunity to try ancient Chinese healing for themselves.

Notice: The above information if for reference only. No medical claims of the mentioned herbs and products intended here.