March 3, 2012
If you read “12 Mental Performance Hacks: A Cheat Sheet For Boosting Your Brain Power“, you may have noticed that suggestion #7 recommended that you take a compound called “Huperzine”, and mentioned Chinese herbal mix “TianChi” as a source of club moss, since club moss contains natural levels of Huperzine.
But that article just scratched the surface when it comes to how to use Chinese herbs.
So in today's audio interview with the inventor of TianChi and Chinese diplomat of herbology Roger Drummer, you'll learn everything you need to know about how to boost your brain power with Chinese herbs.
You'll also learn:
-Why you need to be careful with which Chinese herbs you choose and use…
-How most Chinese herb supplement manufacturers “water down” their formulations…
-The best time of day to take Chinese herbs…
-A shocking discovery Ben made when he combined Chinese herbs and heart rate variability testing…
-And much more!
The highly concentrated Chinese herb mix that I've personally been taking on a daily basis is TianChi. I'd highly recommend that you treat yourself to just one box and use it for the next 20-30 days so that you can see what it feels like to have your neurons firing at peak capacity.
Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
Click here for a full list of the ingredients in TianChi.
Questions, comments, or feedback? Leave them below.
Hi Ben,
I have been taking Tian Chi for years and really love it. Unfortunately, I found out that I have toxic levels of B6, so I need to stop taking it. (The formula includes B6). Do you have any recommendations for a similar supplement that would not include B6? Thanks much!
Hi, I’m currently doing research on how to replace my prescription for ADHD and discovered TianChi. Do you have any thoughts on this? I’m trying Huperzine A, club moss, 100% pure no fillers or binders. Very interesting, but still in the research faze and taking the synthetic prescription with the huperzine. I’d love to get off the prescription all together as it has raised my blood pressure and I’m concerned about the potential for a kind of addiction that seems to be prevalent with prescriptions.
Well worth a try. If I were you I'd give it a go. I am not a doctor and this is not to be taken, interpreted or construed as medical advice. Please talk with a licensed medical professional about this. These are just my own personal thoughts and not a prescription or a diagnosis or any form of health care whatsoever.
I've been taking Tian Chi off and on for a while now. I like the cognitive effects, but I sweat like crazy for a few hours after taking it! Has anyone else experienced this?
That's a new one. Do you 'run hot' or feel unusually warm most of the time? There are Yang tonics (warming) herbs in TianChi but they are balanced by Yin (cooling) herbs. Breaking out in a sweat would probably be a reaction to your state of energy at the moment.
Hmm. If anything, I run cool. I take it first thing in the morning, then prep my breakfast and coffee and take off.
Hi Ben,
I just got my Tianchi delivered and I’m excited to try it in the morning. I’m pretty set on my cup of kimera koffee when I first wake up, do I need to cut it out on the days I take Tianchi? If not, how do recommend I use them together?
Hi Ben,
I bought 10 packs of TianChi from their website and the first time I took a sip I didn’t like it. Tasted like cough syrup to me. Is there a way to hide the taste? Like mix it with something or put in a smoothie? Thanks!
I like to mix it with soda water and ice. The colder it is, the less you will taste it (like crappy beer)… but then, I like the taste of TianChi. I wouldn’t mix it in a smoothie as it is meant to be taken on an empty stomach. Think of it like medicine and just get it down!
It might sound ridiculous but could tianchi influence drug test results? I am going for a job interview/drugtest process in a month.
no, I've researched this in the past and it is 100% ok!
Hi Ben,
I'm thinking about ordering TianChi to use as a pre-workout before fasted strength training (currently I only take caffein). I couldn't find any info regarding it's efficacy in such a situation though. Would you recommend this, or would it be better used post workout to help bring cortisol levels back down? Thanks!
Since it's effects on adrenals last all day (e.g. 24 hours), I would say neither. I'd do it at a different time of day than your workout – e.g. mid morning or mid afternoon on an empty stomach.
Thanks Ben. Would there be any deleterious effects if I did use it as a replacement for my pre-workout caffein? I find that once I get out of the house for the day, I tend to forget things like supplement schedules. (and kudos on responding within 5 minutes, at 6am, on a 2-year-old post!)
No deleterious effects! You caught me replying to comments while getting ready for my Vegas Spartan race this morning.
Hi Ben, this stuff sounds like a great idea for students, but the price is pretty steep. Would you happen to have a more economical alternative that would be affordable on a college student budget?
Unfortunately, with herbs, you get what you pay for. You're playing with fire if you order something that is not expensive, because that usually means it's been sitting in bins in China for 5 years getting sprayed with ethylene oxide. I'm afraid this is one supplement that you simply have to spend money on!
Thanks, Ben. Looking forward to trying this. Is this a product one can continue indefinitely, or is there some cycle-on-cycle-off recommendation?
I generally take it on high stress days. So a little less on the weekend…
Hi, Ben,
I'm interested in trying Tian Chi, but I see from their website that it contains caffeine. I'm fairly caffeine sensitive. Do they have any plans for a caffeine-free formulation?
Ben, can u get tian chi in Australia ?
Yes, Kate, we ship to anywhere in the world.
Hi Ben
You mentioned ideal HRV being even time between beats. My understanding is the opposite- i.e. you want the heart rate to slightly slower as you breathe out, increased as you breathe in. If it’s completely steady then your sympathetic systems is turned on too much.
I have been using the ithlete system and this seems to be the idea and what it measures. Does that sound right?
You are correct Paul. I misspoke.
Thanks, Ben. This stuff is pretty expensive, but I'm going to give it a shot! The interview really got my interest.
Worth every penny, in my opinion.
Not sure if you'll get this given this post was 5 weeks ago, but quick question on the TianChi. Definitely enjoying it – I feel energized for several hours after I drink it, and the taste is pretty good! (I was expecting awful). Here's my question – I generally get up, drink 1/2 cup of coffee, and exercise fasted in the am, except for really long workouts where I'll eat before (I'm not really concerned with weight loss, but this works with my schedule and I like the added benefits of teaching my body to rely on fat burning). I've been coming back, eating breakfast, and having the TianChi after that (giving a 2 hour break as recommended). Am I sacrificing the benefit of the TianChi at all? I know I "should" give up coffee, but I don't really see that happening :). I could also drink the TianChi right after the workout, but then how long would I need to wait to eat breakfast? Thanks for your advice!
TianChi is best on an empty stomach. I recommend stacking it at least 2 hours before or after a meal.