Blood Building Herbs for Spring & Eyes

Herbs: Hong Zao, Gou Qi Zi, Dang Gui, Gan Cao

So many people love the Blood Building Syrup we make for the colder Winter season I decided to do a new one for Spring.  This is much lighter and moves upward instead of downward like the heavy winter syrup.  Enjoy!

The Hong Zao and Gou Qi Zi both tonify blood, and the Gou Qi Zi is especially good for eyesight.  I like this aspect because Spring is the time of the Wood Element, and Wood includes our eyes and any physical vision issues we may have.

To accentuate the blood building aspect I touched the formula with Dang Gui - which I love, and then added a very small amount of Gan Cao to guide the herbs up to nourish the eyes.

Ingredients:

1 cup Hong Zao (Chinese Red Dates)
1/2 cup Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries)
1-2 g Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis)

1-2 g Gan Cao (Licorice Root)
750 ml Brandy (Vodka or Sake can be substituted if desired)

Directions:
1.  Place the dried herbs in a 1 quart  mason jar.

2.  Pour the brandy in, up to where the jar starts to curve. You need to leave room to gently swish the herbs around.

3.  Put the lid on and move to a cool dark space.

4.  Gently swish/roll the jar every day for 4-6 weeks.

5.  Strain and press out all the liquid which is now the herbal "wine".  You can discard the herbs, or cook with the berries if you want.  Store this in a jar in a dark cool place.

DOSAGE: 1 spoonful (1 Tbsp) in water 1x/day up to 6 days/week.

If you are adverse to alcohol, put the spoonful of wine into a small amount of just-boiled water to burn it off, which still keeps the medicinal properties of the herbs.

Who should take this?  This is a great formula to nourish weak eyes or blurry vision.  It can also be used to help improve feeling tired, creaky joints, brittle fingernails, feeling cold often, and chronic muscle pain that doesn't respond to massage.

Cautions/Contraindications:  Pregnant women, those taking other medications - including Birth Control Pills - or herbs, and those with High Blood Pressure should always consult with a qualified herbalist before taking any herbs.  Otherwise this is a generally safe formula for most people.