Blog

The Mineral Mind of the Mountains: Understanding Shilajit as Relational Medicine

Ancestral Knowledge, Timeless Resilience, and the Quiet Power of Slow Restoration Mountain Manna Rare-Earth Himalayan Shilajit stands as a testament to the alchemy of nature—a gift from the earth, formed over millennia at the soaring elevations of the Himalayas. Unlike any herb, Shilajit is a rare exudate: a mineral-rich resin that seeps from ancient rock formations, encapsulating the essence of prehistoric plant and soil matter, compressed through immense geological forces. Shilajit …

Apr 04, 2025 Ryan Wade

Wèi Qì and Emotional Immunity

Boundaries, Resilience, and the Protective Intelligence of Qì Wèi Qì is the body’s first line of defense. Circulating at the surface, it protects against external pathogenic factors—what Chinese medicine refers to as wài xié, or external evils—including wind, cold, heat, and dampness. In this way, its role closely parallels that of the immune system. But while Wèi Qì is often viewed through the lens of physical immunity, its infl …

Mar 26, 2025 Ryan Wade

Answering Your Questions About Our Pine Pollen Tinctures

A Comprehensive Guide to the Benefits, Uses, and Best Practices of Pine Pollen Tincture At RAW Forest Foods, our expertise with Pine Pollen allows us to provide answers about Pine Pollen Tincture, including its uses, benefits, and comparisons with other Pine Pollen forms, such as RAW Pine Pollen™ and Pine Pollen Extract Powder. With roots in Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM), where it’s known as Sōng Huā Fěn (松花粉), Pine Pollen has supported vitality and wellness for centuries. This an …

Oct 24, 2024 Ryan Wade

Enhancing Testosterone Efficacy Through Androgen Receptor Sensitivity

Evidence-Based Strategies to Increase Androgen Hormone Sensitivity Testosterone levels—including both free and total testosterone—dominate discussions of health, performance, and wellness. While these levels are undeniably important, as are levels of other male and female sex hormones, equally important is the sensitivity of androgen receptors. What Are Androgen Receptors? Androgen receptors (ARs) are proteins located on cell membranes that bind to androgens such as testosterone and …

Oct 15, 2024 Ryan Wade

The Fall Equinox: A Time to Reflect, Unite, and Share

Exploring Balance, Harvest, and Change through Classical Chinese MedicineAs we approach the 2024 Fall Equinox, the sense of societal change and the themes of unity, collaboration, and sharing feel more significant than ever. Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) offers rich guidance on navigating these shifts, teaching that the equinox is more than a moment of equal light and dark—it’s a profound symbol of balance, a harmonious dance between yin and yang. Falling between the key seasonal phases of Ha …

Sep 19, 2024 Ryan Wade

Refining for Purity and Potency: A Temporary Hiatus on Select Products

A Brief Pause, A Lasting Impact: Temporary Hiatus on Select RAW Forest Foods ProductsAt RAW Forest Foods, our commitment to delivering the highest quality products is unwavering. We believe in constantly evolving and enhancing our products to meet the exacting standards of our valued customers. With this dedication in mind, we have decided to temporarily place a select few of our products on hiatus. This decision allows us to focus on refining our extraction processes and formulations, ensuring …

Jul 29, 2024 Ryan Wade

Decoding the Three Colors of Tongkat Ali: A Guide to Authenticity and Benefits

An In-Depth Look at the Three Colors of Tongkat Ali and Their Significance Tongkat Ali, also known as Pasak Bumi or Longjack, is a treasured traditional herbal remedy from Southeast Asia. Scientifically named Eurycoma longifolia Jack, this plant is celebrated for its therapeutic qualities, largely derived from the pale bark of its roots. However, as its popularity grows, so too does the misidentification and mislabeling of other plants as Tongkat Ali. This article seeks to clarify t …

Jun 26, 2024 Ryan Wade

The Hidden Costs of Coffee: A Chinese Medicine Perspective on Heat, Dampness, and Vitality

Exploring How Heat, Dampness, and Overstimulation Influence Health and VitalityIn Chinese Medicine, the balance and flow of qi (vital energy; qì; 气) and the preservation of yuan qi (original qi; yuán qì; 元气) and jing (essence; jīng; 精) are central to sustaining health and vitality. Protecting these essential energies is a daily practice, and our lifestyle and dietary choices play a key role in either maintaining or depleting our reserves of qi, yuan qi, and jing. One common choice that affects t …

Jun 04, 2024 Ryan Wade

The 8 Types of Qi Explained: A Guide to Vital Energy in Chinese Medicine

The Ephemeral Qi; the Substantial Qi Qi is not merely an abstract concept or mystical energy. Although often shrouded in New Age mythos in the West, qi is simply—yet profoundly—a term for energy. In the Chinese language, qi (氣) is used in common phrases: weather is referred to as 天氣 (tiān qi), and anger as rising qi (dú qì). In Chinese Medicine, qi represents a multifaceted, dynamic force within all living things. It is both ephemeral and substantial. For example, industrial waste gas is fè …

May 09, 2024 Ryan Wade

Unveiling the Essence of Forest Aurum Pine Pollen Nectar Tincture

Discovering the Potency of Pine PollenIntroducing Forest Aurum Pine Pollen Nectar Tincture At RAW Forest Foods, we’re dedicated to honoring traditional herbal wisdom while pushing the boundaries of botanical wellness. Our latest addition to the Mountain Harvest Pine Pollen™ line, the Forest Aurum Pine Pollen Nectar Tincture, exemplifies this mission. This ultra-pure, highly potent tincture captures the vitality and essence of Pine Pollen’s phytoandrogenic and proandrogenic properties …

Mar 11, 2024 Ryan Wade

Site Disclaimers