Light and Bright

Light and Bright and is a new formula designed in house at Kan with a combination of Chinese and Western herbs. It is a formula designed to decompress and strengthen, for the high stress, high paced life that many of us live. Just over half the formula is directed at regulating Liver Qi, helping to brighten yet relax, helping to move through feelings of stress, overwhelm and/or melancholy. Just under half the formula is tonifying and uses the premier tonic, Chinese Red Ginseng (Ren Shen) to empower, strengthen and impart resiliency.   

Lemongrass and Lemon Verbena leaf are bright, aromatic herbs that impart a feeling of well being by aromatically opening the Qi mechanisms. Lemon Verbena leaf has a long history of use in South America as a relaxing tea that also has influence on the digestive system. When smelling and drinking Lemon Verbena leaf it imparts a sense of openness and brightness that all is well in the world. Lemongrass is native to Southeast Asia and is grown and used throughout the world especially in the tropics and subtropics. It has a wide range of traditional uses ranging from difficult menstruation, indigestion, fever, digestive spasm, musculoskeletal pain, feelings of anxiousness, difficulty sleeping and fever. In TCM language we could say that Lemongrass and Lemon Verbena leaf Regulate Liver Qi, Relieve Constraint, mildly Calm Spirit, and help Regulate the Liver's influence on the Spleen and Stomach.

Albizia bark (He Huan Pi) is translated as "Collective Happiness Bark".  As such, it releases constraint of the Liver, Calms Spirit, and Soothes the Heart. Albizia also helps to open the chest when a stifling sensation is caused by stress/stagnation. Albizia helps to lighten the load when stress feels like it is constraining and weighing one down.

Chinese Red Ginseng is the premier tonic in TCM which tonifies the Qi of all organs including the Heart, Kidney, Spleen, Stomach and Lung. Red Ginseng imparts strength, fortitude and the ability to endure difficulties. In the face of continued stress Red Ginseng supports the mind, body and energy by both powerfully tonifying while also Calming the Spirit and Benefiting the Heart Qi. Red Ginseng acts both rapidly and long term. It can help support a swift feeling of energization, while deeply working to restore and strengthen in the long term.

Chinese Licorice root (Gan Cao) is the great harmonizer, moderating the mild drying nature of Lemongrass and Lemon Verbena leaf.  It's sweetness helps to soften the Liver and Tonify the Spleen. Chinese Licorice root helps smooths the edges, Strengthen the Qi and supports resiliency to stress.

Light and Bright can be used both as needed and as a steady constitutional formula.   Some situations where it can be helpful on an as needed basis are; during the latter part of a work day when one is feeling overwhelmed or tired, at the end of a work day to support the re-opening of the qi and a boost of energy, whenever another cup of coffee or tea is desired to stimulate the energy, before athletic events or competitions where more relaxed and abundant Qi can be helpful. Constitutionally, it is useful for those whose life is stressful, and that stress is affecting the peaceful resourcefulness of the individual.   The stress may be causing constraint of the chest, indigestion and/or fatigue. This formula brightens one's affect while providing deep resource to maintain and transform oneself.

The closest related formula is perhaps Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer/Relaxed Wanderer). Both Light and Bright and Xiao Yao San regulate Qi and support the strength and smooth function of the Spleen and Stomach. Xiao Yao San has a stronger action on the Blood and the menses. Light and Bright has a stronger action on Qi Regulation and Tonification, and on the Heart, helping to Calm Spirit and Tonify Heart Qi.