Live over 100 Years Old -Eat The Magical Hunza Apricot: Volume II, Fruitworld

In this pristine Valley….

Hidden is a a real yet sublime & magical Apricot, called the Hunza.

THE HUNZA PEOPLE

We could take a few lessons from the indigenous people and traditional cultures which grace our planet, such as the Hunza.

Their beautiful wisdom, spirits, and dietary habits are way more developed than any of the developed nations on the face of the earth; the proof is in their radiance & longevity.

AN OASIS WHERE DISEASE IS NOT

There are a people who are strong, fearless, and understand their relationship to their environment.

They can see as far as Eagles.

There heart beats strong and beautifully.

They often live longer than 100 years.

LEAN AND MEAN HUNZA EATING MACHINES

These people all share something very special in common. A staple of which virtually every aspect of their society is based. They are known as the “Hunza”. And their staple is the “Hunza” Apricot.

No foreign legion has been able to truly colonize & conquer this region since Alexander the Great. The air is thin. The people are fierce. And they live a long time. They are the Hunza.

The Hunza people eat dried apricots, apricot seed oil, roasted apricot kernels as their main dietary foods.

These Hunza-Kots are not very large, but pack a punch of nutrients. They are the magical fruit.

This sublime treasure of Northern Pakistan is unique; it’s a product of the valley’s elevation, longitude, latitude, climate. Also the plant & animal life that it co-habitates with contribute to it’s nutrient profile.

It is not just an Apricot. It’s a Hunza Apricot.

And science will never truly comprehend the science behind what makes it truly special.

As a side note, most varieties of Apricots are considered to have kernals that are poisonous or toxic.

As a Chinese Herbalist, I remember in one of my first herb classes learning about Apricot Kernel (“Tao Ren”) and Peach Kernel (“Xing Ren”). Both of these kernels are used in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine.

Apricot Kernel or Apricot Seed (“Tao Ren”) is considered by many Doctors of Chinese Medicine to be one of the most powerful blood activators in the Herbal Pharmacopia — it is used to help eliminate stagnation and has a very powerful “activating” property.

Peach Kernel or Peach Seed (“Xing Ren”) appears in many Lung Herbal Medicinal Formulas to help eliminate cough and support the Lungs.

The Treasure of the Valley – Hunza Apricot

The legendary and special Hunza Apricot is not only the very essence of the Hunza Civilization, the Hunza Apricot Kernel or Pit, is NOT toxic.

In fact, the Hunza people proudly and routinely EAT the Hunza Apricot Kernel / Pit.

YES, you heard it correct! The Hunza Apricot Kernel / Pit is EDIBLE.

Curiously, Big Pharma got a whiff of the Hunza Magic, and created a drug called “Laetril” / “Amygdalin.”

The drug company sold this drug for the treatment of cancer. The pharmaceutical drug Laetril was basically an attempt by Big Pharma to copy the ingredients in the Hunza Apricot Kernel, which is eaten by the Hunza people daily.

And cancer is almost non-existent among the Hunza people.

One thing is clear; the Hunza has life extending properties as proof of the radiant health and long life that the Hunza people share — they generally all seem to live way past 100 years old.

The Hunza Apricots kernels are sweet and edible when roasted.

Is this the secret behind the legendary long life spans of the Hunza people ?

What is it about the Hunza Apricot that seems to have mystical & magical powers ?

Botanists and Horticulturists from the USDA have travelled to the Hunza region in the Northern Pakistan region and procured samples of these magical and famous Apricot varieties growing there.

Upon their return, the USDA researchers attempted to answer this mystery. Nothing conclusive yet.

So many things contribute to the special qualities of a fruit. The location of the tree takes in everything around it that grows in the ground.

The minerals, herbs, other fruits, trees, and animals that live in the area affect the organism. All these ingredients, plus the longitude and latitude, elevation all figure into this complex equation.

This is possibly why certain regions in the world are famous for their wines. The same reasons. The grape vines take in everything around it, consume it, and are influenced by it — giving it a unique personality and signature, just like a human soul. A baby is a product of not only it’s scientific genetics from father & mother, but immensely affected by the environment in which the mother is in during pregnancy, the diet the mother partakes in, and affected by all the cumulative experiences the mother has during pregnancy.

All organisms share this magic.

We are a product of everything around us, near us, and that crosses paths with us.

Why are Hunza Apricots so powerful ?

Hunza fruits are smaller apricots, and many feel they are too small for commercial usage. This is probably why you do not see them in your local produce section at the supermarket.

APRICOT GENERAL NUTRITIONAL PROFILE

MINERALS
Apricots in general are wonderful and regardless of the variety will contain a full spectrum of minerals, which many fruits contain. Minerals such as trace amounts of Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium.

PHYTOSTEROLS
Apricots are jam-packed with phytosterols. Random samplings of Apricots have been found to have β-sitosterol, α-tocopherol, stigma sterol, ergosterol.

What are Phytosterols ? Basically when you hear this word, think “cholesterol.” These are specific to plants. The main difference is chemistry and some carbon side chains & the presence or absence of a double bond.

You may be familiar with vegetable oils and products made from them such as nuts. Nuts are super rich in Phytosterols. Cereals, fruits, berries actually may offer one of the most significant sources of phytosterols.

So vegans and vegetarians — no worries!

A good solid & thoughtful vegetarian diet can include somewhere around 700mg per day of Phytosterols.

Many health experts and scientists believe that Phytosterols have the ability to Lower Cholesterol, as per experiments done in 1953 on humans. Big Pharma even made a drug called Cytellin in 1954, for the treatment of elevated Cholesterol, based on Phytosterols. The drug was available from 1954-1982.

Phytosterols, having multiple actions and mechanisms, also may possibly inhibit lung, stomach, ovarian and breast cancers. Phytosterols have been proven to inhibit carcinogen production, cancer-cell growth, angiogenesis, and ultimately impact metastasis. This is the word used to describe the spreading of a cancer in the body. Because Phytosterols may increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the body, oxidative stress is greatly reduced.

The most common Phytosterols are β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigma sterol.

POLYPHENOLS & FLAVONOIDS RUN WILD IN APRICOTS
Catechin, Rutin, Resveratrol, Myricetin, Morin, Kaempferol all are present in many Apricot varieties. One major thing phenolic compounds achieve in the body is lipid peroxidation. They are fat busters basically.

You may have heard of Resveratrol, as it’s a hugely popular supplement available in the health food stores. Red wine, Green Tea are famous for this as well, but an Apricot a day may be the best way to hedge your heart beats and bets — and stay heart smart and healthy.

WHAT IS A POLYPHENOL
Think Anti-Oxidant. Think Photochemical. Basically these antioxidants number in over 4,000 distinct species and kick ass in their chosen profession. They have the ability to affect cell to cell signaling, receptor sensitivity, inflammatory enzyme activity and even gene regulation. Whaaaaa whaaaaa ? Sweeeeeeet!

Green Tea is one of the superstars when it comes to Polyphenols.

Other sources include honey, legumes, most dark pigmented berries like Blueberries and Blackberries. When you hear Polyphenol think color and dark.

Fruits include Pomegranate, cherries, cranberries, grapes, plums, raspberries, strawberries. Vegetables include broccoli, parsley.

And of course Red wine, chocolate, white tea, green tea, olive oil are some of the heavy hitters that people have heard about when it comes to the buzz word “Anti-Oxidant.”

What is super cool is the evolution component at play here.

Plants Make their their Own Vitamin C

About 500 million years ago, freshwater and terrestrial plants started to “learn” how to internally manufacture things like Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), polyphenols (a flavonoid is a polyphenol), and tocopherols.

In fact recently, 50-200 million years ago, certain fruits & flowers of angiosperm. ANGIOSPERM ? Is that a whale with a big heart ? No, it is the dominant plant of today and most their COLOR or PIGMENT (ANTI-OXIDANT POWERS), evolved during the period when the Dinosaurs roamed (Jurassic period).

WHAT IS A FLAVONOID
First a Flavonoid is a type of Polyphenol. When you hear FLAVONOID think PIGMENT. This is what gives plants their beautiful and rich color.

One of the more famous players is Quercetin, a bioflavonoid, that is thought to modify allergens, bacteria, viruses, and carcinogens. Quercetin also in vitro has demonstrated anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and anti-diarrheal activities.

MULTI-VITAMIN IN A FRUIT: THE APRICOT REIGNS SUPREME
Think ABCDEK. The full Aphabet Soup of Vitamins!

These are the main Vitamins in Apricots.

Vitamin A is abundant in most Apricots. Also Vitamin C, D, E and K are present. Many of the B-Complex vitamins that you would find in a vitamin such as Riboflavin, Niacin, B6, Folate, B12, Pantothenic Acid and Choline can be found in Apricots.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the ABC’s of the basic vitamins that are bursting out of most Apricot varieties:

VITAMIN A
(Average of 96 μg in 1 Apricot)
• Vision
• Gene Transcription
• Immune Function
• Embryonic development,
• Bone Metabolism
• Haematopoiesis
• Skin & Cellular Health
• Anti-Oxidant Acitivity

Sources: (Non-Animal Only)

Dandelion Greens 5588 IU
Carrots 835 μg
Broccoli 800 μg
Sweet Potato 709μg

VITAMIN B

The Family
B1: Thiamine
B2: Riboflavin
B3: Niacin or Niacinamide
B5: Pantothenic Acid
B6: Pyridoxine
B7: Biotin
B9: Folic Acid
B12: Cobalamins; cyanocobalamin

Benefits
• Supports Healthy Metabolism
• Essential for Immune System
• Food for the Nervous System
• Maintains Skin, Hair and Muscle tone

Sources:

Non-Animal
Kombucha, whole grains, potatoes, bananas, lentils, chili peppers, tempeh, beans, nutritional yeast, brewers yeast, nmolasses

Animal Products such as Turkey, Tuna, and Liver.

B12 difficult to find for Vegetarians or Non-Animal Sources. Many use Spirulina and claim it has pound for pound, highest amount of Vitamin B12. This has been contested in scientific study, and scientists disagree, saying that this is untrue.

Yeast Extract may be the best bed for Vegans. Marmite, popular in Britain & Europe, packs 0.5 μg per teaspoon. This may offer the highest amount for a “Vegan.”

A poor 2nd choice, since it will not fulfill a Vegan dietary requirement, but may satisfy some basic vegetarian dietary needs is Cheese.

Cheese is a very good source of B12, packing around 3.34μg per 100g serving.

For VEGANS, we advise supplementing your diet with a Vitamin B12 supplement from the health food store at this time.

We cannot fully endorse Spirulina, and realize that Vitamin B12 deficiency can be common in Vegans who do not take a Vitamin B12 supplement. They run the risk of getting anemia, nervous system damage, heart disease factors and possible pregnancy complications.

The Vegan Society advises that all VEGANS do ONE of the following:

• Eat Fortified foods 2 or 3 times a day to get at least three (3) micrograms (mcg) of B12 a day
OR
• Take one (1) B12 supplement daily providing at least 10 micrograms
OR
• Take a Weekly B12 supplement providing at least 2000 micrograms

VITAMIN C
• Potent Anti-Oxidant
• Supports Collagen Synthesis
• Immune System Modulator: Phagocytes, Cytokines, and Lynphocytes
• Anti-Histamine

Sources:

(Non-Animal Sources, per 100g Serving)
Kakadu Plum 1000-5300mg
Camu Camu 2800 mg
Acerola 1677 mg
Seabuckthorn 695 mg
Mica Miro 500 mg
Indian Gooseberry 445 mg
Rose Hip 426 mg
Baobab 400 mg
Chili Pepper 244 mg
Guava (common, raw) 228 mg
Black Current 200 mg
Red Pepper 190 mg
Kiwifruit 90 mg
Broccoli 90 mg
Loganberry 80 mg
Redcurrant 80 mg
Brussel Sprouts 80 mg
Wolfberry (Goji Berry) 73 mg
Lychee 70 mg
Persimmon (native, raw) 66 mg
Cloudberry 60 mg
Elderberry 60 mg
Papaya 60 mg
Strawberry 60 mg
Orange 50 mg
Kale 41 mg
Lemon 40 mg
Melon (Caneloupe) 40 mg
Cauliflower 40 mg

Garlic 31 mg
Grapefruit 30 mg
Rasberry 30 mg
Tangerine 30 mg
Mandarin Orange 30 mg
Passion Fruit 30 mg
Spinach 30 mg
Cabbage (raw green) 30 mg
Lime 30 mg
Mango 28 mg
Blackberry 21 mg
Potato 20 mg
Melon (Honeydew) 30 mg
Tomato (red) 13 mg
Cranberry 13 mg
Blueberry 10 mg
Pineapple 10 mg
Pawpaw 10 mg
*Apricot 10mg
Grape 10 mg
Plum 10 mg
Watermelon 10 mg
Banana 9mg
Carrot 9mg
Avocado 8 mg
Crabaple 8 mg
Persimmon (Japanese, fresh) 7 mg
Onion 7 mg
Cherry 7 mg
Peach 7 mg
Apple 6 mg
Pear 4 mg
Fig 2 mg
Bilberry 1 mg

VITAMIN D
• Secosteroid, Prohormone
• Sunsine provides it in the form of D3
• Too much or Too Little may cause Abnormal Functioning & Premature Aging
• Bone Health
• Cardiovascular
• Asthma
• Multiple Scleroris
• Infections
• Hair Health
• Rickets, Osteomalacia

Toxicity: More than 50,000 IU can produce toxicity after several months

Sources:

VITAMIN D2
Alfalfa, Shoot Serving, 192 IU of Vitamin D2
Mushrooms, Portabella, Exposed to Ultraviolet Light, Raw, Vitamin D2, 446 IU
Mushrooms, Portabella, Exposed to Ultraviolet Light, Grilled, Vitamin D2, 524 IU
Mushrooms, Shiitake, Dried, Vitamin D2, 154 IU

VITAMIN D3

Alfalfa Shoot Serving, 4 IU of Vitamin D3

(This is generally only found in Animal Proteins / Products)

***We are not endorsing this, as we believe in a strictly Non-Animal Product based diet***

Fatty Fish Species such as:
Catfish, 3oz serving, 425 IU
Salmon, cooked, 100g serving, 360 IU
Mackerel, cooked, 100g serving, 345 IU
Sardines, canned in oil, 50g, 250 IU
Tuna, canned in oil, 100g, 235 IU
Eel, cooked, 100g, 200 IU

• Whole Egg: 20 IU (Based on 60g weight)
• Beef Liver, cooked, 100g, 15 IU
• Fish Liver Oils (ie Cod Liver Oil), 1 Tbs (15ml) provides *1360 IU

* Highest concentration of Vitamin D3 among Animal Sources

VITAMIN E
• Tocopgerols & Tocotrienols
• Anti-Oxidant
• Enzymatic Activity Regulator
• Modulates Gene Expression
• Plays a Role in Neurological Functions
• Inhibits Platelet Aggregation (Thins Blood)

Sources:
(Amount of Vitamin E per 100g)
Wheat Germ Oil 150mg
Sunflower Oil 41mg
Safflower Oil 34 mg
Nuts and Nut Oils, ie Almonds & Hazelnuts, 15-26 mg
Spinach, Turnip, Beet, Collard & Dandelion Greens, 1.5 – 3.4 mg
Avocados 2.1 mg
Asparagus 1.1 – 1.5mg
Kiwifruit 1.5 mg
Broccoli 0.78 – 1.5 mg
Pumpkin 0.8 – 1mg
Sweet Potato 0.26-0.94mg

VITAMIN K
Fat-Soluble
Blood Coagulation
Bone Metabolism
Vascular Biology

Sources:

(Highest Amount listed only)
Kale, cooked, 531 μg
Parsley, raw (1/2 cup), 492 μg
Spinach, cooked, 444 μg
Collard, cooked, 418 μg
Swiss Chard, cooked, 287 μg
Mustard Greens, cooked, 210 μg
Turnip Greens, cooked, 265 μg
Broccoli, cooked, 110 μg
Brussel Sprouts, cooked, 109 μg
Cabbage, cooked, 82 μg

Found mainly in Leafy Green Vegetables such as Spinach, Swiss Chard, and Brassica (e.g. cabbage, kale, cauliflower, broccoli and brussel sprouts); some fruits such as avocado, kiwifruit and grapes are also high in Vitamin K.

*2 Tablespoons of Parsely = 153% of Recommended Daily Amount of Vitamin K
(Based on 1/2 Cup Serving Size)
Kale, cooked 531 Ug

Eat a few sprigs of Parsley for a punch of Vitamin K!

TOCOPHEROLS
It was found that α-tocopherol levels of certain Apricots were higher than virtually any other fruit available. Also, this is astounding!

ANTI-OXIDANTS
What are Anti-Oxidants ? What are they working against ? Why are they “Anti” ? They are thought to destroy free radicals in your body. Free Radicals are bad, because they “Oxidize” your cells. Oxidation overtime is what is thought to cause the process of degeneration or aging. If you can stop “Oxidation”, well you could freeze the hands of time.

This is why Anti-Oxidants always get so many shout-outs by Health gurus, and fellows like Dr. Oz. It’s all about the Anti-Oxidants my friends.

So they studied the Anti-Oxidant levels in Apricots by doing something called a DPPH test. This is fancy talk for measuring the powers of antioxidants in various scenarios.

The Apricots scored high in the studies, demonstrating the ability to fight myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Also, the subjects who received the Apricot extracts, were seen to have a significant decrease in LPO (Lipid Perdoxidation Results) in the Hearts.

This effect was seen in multiple Apricot varieties.

This is great news which means you don’t have to eat only a Hunza Apricot to be Superman or Superwoman!

All the studies did have one MAJOR conclusion. While ALL Apricots are amazing for you, they all contain different compounds and vitamins in varying amounts, depending on the location where the plant was grown.

Also, sunlight, soil type, climatic differences and location where the plant grows will dramatically influence the personality and ultimate nutrient profile of the specific fruit.

The amount of super powerful vitamins, age-defying anti-oxidants, life-extending substances, magical minerals, and even SUGAR may vary from region to region because of the elements contained in the specific soil unique to where a particular fruit grows!!!

When you start to consider environmental factors, and then add genetic factors, your nutrient profile starts to dramatically vary from fruit to fruit. Like a person, Genes and Environment are the dynamic combination that makes us special and unique.

And fruit, as a living, breathing organism, with life force or “Qi”, is no different. We are the same. Animals, Plants, and Minerals all have life force. Yes minerals too — please do not forget them.

You start to see that the very cycle of life shares something extraordinary — everything is ALIVE.

Love and respect to the glorious and graceful people — The Hunza.

Thank you for your magic.
Thank you for your sagacity.
Thank you for your beauty.
Thank you for teaching us what is important.
Thank you for reminding us.

Lovingly Written By Dustin Siena, L.Ac.

Growing Your Own Fruitworld: Volume 1

Felt inspired to share that as Springtime beckons, it’s a fun time to try all of our favorite fruits.

Living in So Cal, I am fortunate in that we can grow just about anything in this climate.

With over 200 different fruit trees, bushes and vines growing on our property, we have some tasty & delcious treats.

How did this happen?

Well, I had always loved herbs. I am an Herbalist by profession, and knowledge of plants has been much if what I have dedicated my life to for the last 20 years.

But knowing the medicine of plants, and growing the medicine of plants, are two entirely different things.

To know simply is not to grow. And to grow is what we all strive for. A deeper understanding of how life becomes medicine.

So this connection to Plant Medicine was the bridge to buying my first fruit trees.

We had just moved from Montana to Thousand Oaks, California. And “big sky” country as they call the great state of Montana must have rubbed off on me.

My wife and I drove to a local nursery. As soon as we stepped out of our vehicle, the smell of jasmine seduced us. The fragrance of Orange blossoms captured our senses. There it was. We realized it. Plain and simple. We are Californians and we must grow the prerequisuite fruit — CITRUS. If we could make freshly squeezed Orange Juice then this would be a good start.

But is it that simple ? Valencia Oranges vs the rich pigment of blood Oranges, which many say taste like an Orange meeting a Rasberry, A Tarocco Orange, that supposedly hail from Mount Aetna, Italy. Hail Caesar!

We started with the standard issue Valencia Orange tree. Would this be the end of the story ?

Not even close.

But we proudly came home and planted our Valencia Orange Tree on our South Facing Hill. And Valencia Oranges are known as among the best for juicing.

So we began with Valencia. Little did we know that the Valencia road lead to other worlds that we take us around the Fruit Universe, transporting us to virtually every continent in the world. Everything from Vietnamese Michele Chamoaca to Indian Alphonso Mangos to Paperskin Macademia Nuts from Hawaii.

We would navigate the world through fruit.

Guava Go Time: Pinapple Guava, Zuzu’s Pedals

Pineapple Guava. Whats cool about this plant is that the flower pedals are edible, and taste like cotton candy.

Latin: : Feijoa sellowiana syn. Acca sellowiana

The fruit is a non-tropical Guava, that is thought to have a taste similar to a Pineapple. In my experience, each variety will vary, and the more common Nazemetz taste like a cross between a mint and a rose.

This plant is easy to grow, has beautiful leaves, and is hearty enough to survive the So.Cal heat, and lack of moisture.

All the Varieties are a bit different, and the ones that I grow on my property are Mammoth, Nazemetz, and Coolidge.

Here’s a list of Pineapple Guava Cultivars:

CULTIVARS

Apollo
Medium to large, oval fruit. Smooth, thin, light-green skin with blue-green surface bloom, subject to bruising and purpling. Pulp well-developed, slightly gritty. Flavor very pleasant, quality excellent. Ripens mid to late-season. Tree upright and spreading, to 8 ft. tall, vigorous and productive. Self-fertile, and will pollinate Gemini.

Choiceana
Originated in Australia. Small to medium-sized, round to oval fruit, 2 to 3-1/2 inches long. Skin fairly smooth. Flavor and quality good. Ripens in midseason. Tree moderately vigorous, spreading. Almost or always, but not less than 42% self-fertile.

Coolidge
Originated in Australia prior to 1908. Small to medium-sized fruit, 4 or more inches in length and 2-1/2 inches in diameter. Form pyriform to oblong or elongated. Skin somewhat wrinkled. Flavor mild, indifferent quality. Tree upright and strong growing, a reliable and heavy bearer, 100% self-fertile. The most widely planted cultivar in California.
Edenvale Improved Coolidge

Originated in Santa Cruz, Calif. by Frank Serpa of Edenvale Nurseries. Large, oblong fruit of very good to excellent flavor and quality. Ripens in October. Tree slow growing. Self-fertile, precocious and productive. Grows best in climates similar to cool, coastal ares of southern California.

Edenvale Late
From Edenvale Nurseries. Mediuim-sized, oblong fruit of very good to excellent flavor and quality. Ripens late, in January,and over a long period of time. Tree slow growing. Self-fertile, very productive. Grows best in climates similar to cool, coastal areas of southern California.

Edenvale Supreme
From Edenvale Nurseries. Medium-sized, oblong fruit of very good to excellent flavor and quality. Ripens in November. Best eaten soon after harvest. Tree slow growing. Self-fertile, precocious and productive. Grows best in climates similar to cool, coastal areas of southern California.

Gemini
Fruit small to medium, egg-shaped. Skin very smooth, thin, dark green with a heavy bloom. Flavor and texture excellent. Ripens in early autumn, earlier than Apollo. Tree upright, spreading, to 8 ft tall. Moderately vigorous, high yielding, partially self-fruitful, but cross pollination is recommended for best fruit quality.

Mammoth
Selected in New Zealand from seedlings of the Choiceana. Large, round to oval fruit, to 8-1/2 ounces, resembling Coolidge. Skin thick, somewhat wrinkled. Flesh somewhat gritty, quality and flavor very good. Matures early in midseason. Softer and not as good a shipper as Triumph. Tree of upright habit, to 10 ft. tall, strong growing. Self-fertile, but bears larger fruit, with cross-pollination.

Moore
Large, flavorsome fruit. Ripens in midseason. Very vigorous plant. Recommended for California.

Nazemetz
Originated in San Diego, Calif. by Alexander Nazemetz. Large, pear-shaped fruit, averaging 3 ounce in weight. Side walls moderately thin. Pulp translucent and sweet. Flavor and quality excellent. Ripens in late October to mid-December. Unlike that of many other cultivars, the pulp of Nazemetz does not darken after being cut or as it ripens, but retains its clear color. Tree self-fertile, but bears most heavily when cross-pollinated. Good pollinator for Trask.

Pineapple Gem
Originated in Azusa, Calif. by Monrovia Nursery. Small, round fruit of good to very good quality. Mid to late season ripening. Tree self-fruitful but bears heavier crops if pollinated. Does poorly under cool, coastal conditions.

Trask
Originated as a bud sport of Coolidge. Medium to large, oblong fruit, up to 3-1/2 inches long and weighing 3 to 5 ounces. Rough, dark green skin. Shells thicker and grittier than Coolidge. Flavor and quality good to very good. Ripens early. Tree self-fertile, but most productive when cross-pollinated. Precocious. Ideal pollinator for Nazemetz.

Triumph
Selected in New Zealand from seedlings of the Choiceana cultivar. Short, oval, plump fruits., not pointed as those of Coolidge, medium to large. Skin uneven but firm. Flesh somewhat gritty but with good seed to pulp ratio. Excellent sharp flavor. Ripens to midseason. Tree upright, of medium vigor. Bears heavily if pollinated. Good pollinator for Mammoth.

This is considered a “Non-Tropical” Guava, and falls in a similar category as other Non-Tropical Guavas such as Strawberry Guava & Lemon Guava.

If you live in Southern California, then go for the Tropical Guavas!

You might like the ability to eat the flower pedals of the Pineapple Guava, but the size of these fruit are very small, and most of them need a pollinator, which means you need to buy 2 different varieties of Pineapple Guava to get an abundance of fruit.

These guys look like Guavas when you crack them open, but do not have that “Tropical” or “Hawaiian Punch” knock-out flavor.

That Starburst style burst of Guava flavor is not present in any of the Pineapple, Lemon, or Strawberry Non-Tropical Guavas.

But if you wanna munch on some flower pedals during a nice spring day in April, then a Pineapple Guava could fit the bill.

And the flowers are sure perdy….

The Wonder of Chnese Herbs: Support the Righteous Qi

Dating back to the “Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing”, the ancient wisdom of Chinese Herbal Medicine has only been realized through Thousands of years of experimentation, observation, application, analysis, and evolution. Shen Nong has been given credit by many Scholars of Chinese History and Chinese Medicine as being the “Father of Chinese Herbal Medicine”, as well the “Father of Agriculture.”

It is because of his devotion, brilliance, and expertise that Chinese Herbal Medicine sprouted from a seed of the Sages and evolved individuals throughout China. The basis of Taoism stems from a hunger and desire to achieve immortality and longevity through the cultivation practices of Qi-Gong and the consumption of the highest order of sublime substances that come from our environment. And the Chinese literally used everything: Plant, Mineral, Animal, Insect, and Fish.

A quick note, while most of us consider an herb to be something that is added to your pot roast, or pizza such as basil, oregano, or pepper, the Chinese have a much more expansive view of things.

They classify anything as an herb. Plant, Animal, Insect and Fish parts, and Minerals. Therefore, it is my suggestion at this moment that we use a different word instead of “HERB”.

Herb is either:

1. The guy that tutored you in High School to get through calculus class. That guy was probably named “Herb” and called “Herby”.
2. A non-mentioned movie about a German Automobile shaped like a bug, with the name love in front of it. His name I think might have been “Herby.” The car I mean.
3. It is NOT a formula of twigs, roots, roaches, cicadas, donkey balls, seal penis, and dog whip. It cannot be people. These are insects and Glands from “living things”. They cannot and should not be called “Herbs”.

What is in an “Herb” ?

The Siena Herbal Qualifiers
Anything that grows in the the ground that produces a Seed, Pit, Root, Stem, Twig, Vine, Branch, Flower, Leaf, or Bark. Any part of a Tree, Bush, Vine. I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING! Preying Mantis Casing doesn’t count. Sorry Preying Mantis Casing enthusiasts. Not an herb. If an animal happens to die on the leaf like an ant, it is NO LONGER an herb. This is microscopic, yes, but still roadkill wrapped in a piece of lettuce. If an animal dies on the above mentioned parts of a Tree, Bush or Vine, it is no longer an herb.

NOW let’s not get crazy. We all know that there are Microbes everywhere. Bacteria, Fungi, and Viruses are everywhere. At this point in this conversation, since we cannot see them generally, we will not make them a disqualifier. All plant material will have microbes on them, even after they are washed, and touched by human hands.

This dialogue is about Animals, Insects, and Fishies.

The Siena Herbal Disqualifying Test
An herb CANNOT be anything that has:
A nervous system, heart beat, appendages, walk on 2 legs or 4 for that matter. It should not chirp. It should not crawl. It should not fly. It should not have wings. It should not be able to bark at you, roll on it belly, or itch it’s armpits and much on a banana. It should not be a bone of a Tiger. It should not be a horn of Rhino. It cannot be a lizard. Charred human hair cannot and should not be mentioned in the same sentence as Paprika. Testicles of a Monkey should not be uttered in the same sentence as Taro Root. Bones of all kinds from human, animal, insect or fish, are no longer allowed to be called “herbs”. Porky Pig’s Placenta fails miserably as an herb. I think we can and should make the leap that “Placentas” of all kinds, whether from a Jackass or Orangoutang do not and cannot be in the same category as the secret herbal rub that Bubba rubs on his Baby-Back Ribs. Pepper and Placenta cannot both be herbs. So Placentas are out. However the fact that the Chinese used the first form of Basic Stem cells 5,000 years ago is pretty f***** stellar. I would say they were the original “Rock Star Geneticists”. If you lived in China 5,000 years ago, you might have been drinking mama’s placenta in your Green Tea. Hey, they were only 5,000 years ahead.

We shall have to come up with a new word for the things that are NOT herbs. We will call them Non-Herbs for now. Or we can call them Roadkill and try to win the chili cook-off in Conejo Valley this summer. It’s probably in all likelihood that the Chinese invented “Roadkill Chili”. And They never got credit. That just ain’t right. Shen Nong’s “Roadkill Chili”.

Or the The “Soup du jour”, Three-Whip Soup. (The Chinese refer to the Penis as a whip). So 3-Whip soup would not have any Miracle Whip and instead would boast a triage of Donkey, Seal, and Monkey Cock. (colloquial sorry). What about Placenta sliders with a Bottle of Jack to start the night ?

Or you can have your testicles on the side with some hummus. Nothing like hummus to set off the flavor of Sweet and Salty like the taste of Testicle. And to top it off, Pinot Noir or White Zinfandel. F*** Zinfandel. Give me a shot of Everclear with that Hummus Tesicle Slider. Everybody knows that Zinfandel and Testicles don’t mix.

We have gotten this far without a mention of feces. We all know and love “Wu Ling Zhi, also known as “Flying Squirrel Feces.” Really ? You mean when you drink your Custom-made Decoction made by Dr. Siena, are you truly “Bat-Shit Crazy.” NO, actually, you are actually drinking bat-shit. And you might be crazy too. Or not. But Yes folks. Flying squirrel is a bat. And yes the 5,000 year old system uses “dried poo-poo.” And it’s an amazing Blood Activator. It really does “break” blood stagnation. Another Siena Disqualifier folks. Feces, Bat Excrement, Bat dung, Rodent doo-doo…none of these would be grinded up at Chef Roubert’s French Restaurant on the corner as a topper on your Escargot. Sorry. Crack may be whack. But do you have to be Bat-Shit Crazy to Drink Bat Shit Tea ?

In the humanitarian category, at least “No flying squirrels were injured in the filming of this movie…”. I mean you and I can harvest some Ancient Chinese Secret herb in your own friggin back-yard. Yes, you too can be an Herbalist. In 30 seconds our less, I will teach you how to harvest your own Ancient Chinese Top-Secret herb, and make some herbal tea, which will smoke the chamomile tea that your mamma usually makes you before night-night.

Harvesting An Undisclosed Animal Feces From Your Backyard How-To Guide

Step 1: Go in your back yard and look for what appears to be dried pebbles. They even could look like small pellets. Hell if you cannot find any, crouch down, and well…this is a last resort. Try to find some before creating your own excrement. Found some? Perfect! They should be dried for maximum potency. Most likely, if they are in your back-yard, they are sun-bleached and charred dry. Since they are already perfectly processed, this is great and makes this substance ready to harvest! Palm that ancient chinese herb. PALM IT SALLY! After you have palmed enough pebbles or pellets, bag ‘em, tag em’ and come inside. Get a clay pot. Soak the harvested Pebbles (dried excrement of unknown origin, possibly from New York Gigantor Sewer Rat, Louisiana Cajun Swimming Swamp Rat, or Musky Mississippi Masquerading Magpie Rat…any of these will suffice).

Step 2: Now back to the Clay pot. Soak the dried Animal Feces in a clay pot. Water level should be approx. 1″ above herbs. Allow to sit for one hour for effective decoction. Traditional Decoction style.

Step 3: One-Hour Later, turn on stove and bring water to boil. As soon as boiling point is reached, simmer on low-flame for 45-60 minutes. You now have a Chinese Herbal decoction of your harvested material. As per the materia medica, even though it may be a different animal species of feces than “Flying Squirrel” or “Bat”, for our purposes, it should work just fine.

If you’re like me, all this talk of Flying Squirrel Feces is making you hungry !

Please note all of the above are Siena Herbal Disqualifiers and should never be considered a true Herb in the definition and spirit of what most of us think of, which is more like Basil Leaf. The above descriptions represent something of a non-herbal origin. And the above illustrations were chosen to simply make a point, and are not at all a preference of the author in any way. The author does not consume the above substances or is encouraging it.

I do not use any of the above mentioned substances generally in practice or in consumption. I choose the path of abstaining. As a vegetarian, a humanitarian, and somebody who just thinks it’s wrong to eat my Apricot Poodle’s droppings, “I just say No.”

Many people do consume animal parts knowingly and unknowingly in their herbal for formulas. Non-Herbal Animal internal organs, glands, and parts such as Rhino Horn, Tiger Bone, and Bear Gall-Bladder should NEVER be consumed. As an example, to produce Bear Gall Bladder, the Chinese barbarically and inhumanely imprison live Bears in cages. Surgically, they insert a tube into their actual Gall Bladder, and allow it to be drained through a tube, while they are conscious. This is how Bear Gall Bladder is produced — from live Bears. This cruel and tortuous method is just one of dozens of methods used in the name of producing various Animal parts to the Chinese Herb Market, globally. By consuming any formula with these parts, we are supporting and perpetuating this barbaric practice, which is still rampant, especially on the black market. Many states such as California prohibits the sale, trade, production, or distribution of many of these substances.

In addition, there are Placentas of various origin. Tesicles of virtually every known animal are used, and other Glands that you may not have heard of. I really try to be an Herbalist with a conscious. My musk cologne is synthetic. I do not need to sneak up behind a Deer, and bag his naval secretions to feel like a man. I just don’t.

We got a little crazy here. And had some fun. But I do intend to make this wrong into a right, and talk some Chinese Herbal Medicine. Do not give up on me just yet.

But the current Chinese Medical system uses the word “HERB”, and has a system of medicine that utilizes EVERYTHING in it you could imagine. As we just discussed, anything that walks, talks, crawls, flies, swims, hums, strums, pecks, has a pecker, does not have a pecker, hops, flops, swaps, snaps, cracks, pops, drops, or has droppings, QUALIFY as a Chinese Herb, and gets classified as such, within this Five-Thousand year old sysem of Medicine.

To continue to refer to these as “Herbs” is a volation of humanity of the highest proportions; we must allow the animals which faciliate, activate, and propogate our entire ecosystem of life of all kinds, plant and animal alike, to evolve and thrive. We simply no longer can terrorize, brutalize, and plunder the entire animal kingdom. You “harvest” an ear of corn. You are not allowed to say you just “Harvested” a Rhino Horn from the Serengedy plains of Africa. You harvest plants. Animals parts are stolen from them. Taken by pirates and mercenaries in broad day light. This is a criminal act. Please no longer delude yourself.

They have also violated all the Siena Herbal Disqualifiers. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!

We must be better. We must differentiate “HERB” from “NON-HERB.” This is not a monumental task. Going into the jungles of Africa and protecting the Lions, Elephants, Rhinos and all life in the animal kingdom is valor. What is being asked here is to no longer utter the word “HERB”, when there is an animal ingredient present, whether individually, or within an herbal formula. It’s disrespectful. And abhorrent. And suprisingly, a rampant practice that continues to this day.

If your internal organs and/or glands were stolen from you in a south-of-the-border bar while you were rendered unconscious because somebody spiked your Horchata with “Ruffies”, and 12 hours later, you awaken in an El Salvadorean Motel room, with a profound hangover the size of Gibraltar. Your head feels heavy and your body aches. You feel whoozy. Maybe even slightly nauseous. This is unlike any hangover you have ever had. You feel like you have literally been run over by a Tijuana parade of mariachi players. and it’s then that you first notice a suspicious large bandage on your lower back covering the Frankenstein stitch pattern that lie above where your left “Kidney” used to be. You are a little weak and slow, but the light bulb very slowly starts to turn on. A wave of shock, terror and disbelief sweeps across your body. You wanna puke. You are frozen in paralyzing fear. You realize you are missing a vital internal organ, your Kidney. Do you think this is sort of a play-by-play of how the Rhino feels after it’s horns are sawed of, as it awakens from it’s anaestesia, stripped of it’s majestic and mighty horns from a plundering and pillaging herbal pirate that makes his or her living stealing internal organs for use in the chinese herbal medicine trade ?

Organ theft without consent from the HUMAN or ANIMAL is theft, and a criminal act.

I believe that if I spoke read and spoke fluent Mandarin, we could analyze the Mandarin character “HERB”, which would probably bring much more depth to this conversation then my extrapolations.

Now back to the more scholarly part of this discussion…

The best place to look for an deeper understanding of this is the “Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing”, which is considered by many to be the seminal herbal bible of Chinese Medicine.

The book so appropriately classified herbs into 3 general classes: Superior, Middle, Inferior.

The Superior class is where one might find the Ginsengs, and the most Universally known Chinese herbs; this class was generally considered to contain those herbs which could be consumed daily for disease prevention, longevity, and cultivation practices, which lie at the foundation of the Father Philosophical system of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Taoism. The Middle class of herbs contained substances of which were considered to be those which would be taken to treat disease, therefore they were not “Superior”, because of the simple fact that disease was presence.

It is only in the absence of disease through which the “Superior” class of herbs operate. The virtue is that disease cannot exist if these herbs are consumed. And this virtue has been quickly forgotten by Western Medicine, as they prescribe substances which would neither qualify to be put in the Superior nor Middle Class of this ancient book of wisdom, classifying substances.

The Middle class treated mild to moderate imbalances. We could view these herbs used in a way like treating the flu, an acute cough, or sore throat. Nothing life threatening. But these herbs were not to be taken daily. They had a specific application, similar to our modern day Anti-Biotics. They serve a purpose, are taken for a period of time, then discontinued.

The last class is the “Inferior” class. The name says it all. Most of these substances were considered Toxic or Poisonous. By today’s standards, mostly all of our Western Pharmaceuticals would fall into this category.

The Chinese reserved this category for grave or life-threatening illness. Interesting, while the word “Cancer” comes to mind, thousand of years ago in Feudal China, they identified various patterns of symptoms, presentations, and what we call disease states in Western Medicine, as warranting something that was so strong, powerful, and noxious, that only a toxic substance would be indicated.

The contrast between side-effect free, anti-aging, disease preventing, spirit cultivating and organism strengthening powers of the “SUPERIOR” class of herbs AND the POISONOUS properties of the “INFERIOR” class of herbs is almost a perfect parallel to that of Whole Herbs (not standardized) vs Synthetic substances. This is far too simplistic for the Chinese, as they knew even natural substances could be “Inferior”, but they had a place for it. If they were going to damage the body’s “Qi” they better have a good reason. A life-threatening disease would be the scenario that would require such a Poisonous herb or “Inferior” herb.

The Chinese believe in something called “Zheng Qi” or “Righteous Qi”. They believe that there is an energy within our bodies that represents “Righteous” or “Correct” state of being. This “Zheng Qi” can be damaged by the “Inferior” herbs. The Chinese understood this, but were willing to sacrifice this, based on the severity of the disease state.

Today, the words Chemotherapy and Radiation are common household words that have become widely accepted as the “Gold Standard” of Western Medicine in the treatment of Cancer.

Modern China is interesting in that currently they are a fusion of their Holistic heritage, and there desire to “catch-up” (oxymoron) with the rest of the world by using Western Medicine. There treatment of Cancer is a shining example. They call this “Fu Zheng” therapy in China. “Fu” means support, tonify or strengthen. “Zheng” means righteous.

They still have a blurry connection to the original conception — of human connecting to his or her environment truly and completely, and cultivating a medical system that fully embodies this concept. The umbilical chord of Mortals and the Microcosm, or his/her localized environment. And the spiritual practice of Qi Gong, Meditation, and Tai-Qi strived to unify humanity to the great macrocosm, or the cosmos.

These roots are still a foundation in China, even in major Hospitals, in a Communist country.

In China, they combine Western and Eastern medicine in the treatment of Cancer. They employ similar methodology such as Chemotherapeutic agents and Radiation to patients with various types of cancer, at various stages. However, here is what is truly unique: they still recognize that the poisonous and toxic agents used in chemotherapy and radiation do profoundly damage the “Zheng Qi” or righteous qi of the body, and have the patients simultaneously get Acupuncture, consume “Fu ZHeng” Herbs (Superior Herbs), and practice Tai-Qi or Qi-Gong.

The Acupuncture, Superior Herbs, and practice of Meditation Qi-Gong and/or Tai-Qi protect the Zheng Qi from the pathogens being introduced into the body via the chemotherapy and radiation methods.

This is not an obscure treatment dynamic, Fu Zheng Therapy. This IS the “Gold Standard” in China.

However, the essence of what Taoists understood nearly 5,000 years ago was that “Fu Zheng” was the key to longevity and magnificent health.

If we revisit the sages conception of the body, and explore deeper into the Taoists obsession with “Superior” herbs, then we realize how important protecting our “Righteous Qi” is.

The very name “Support the Righteous” is applicable to the approach we should not only consider during a life-threatening illness such as cancer, but to our daily lives.

There is no need for China to catch up with the rest of the world. We need to rediscover their ancient wisdom, and slowly discard our current idiopathic practice of allopathic medicine, where the foundation of medicine is based on destruction of the disease, and the human body that it dwells in. Don’t they call this “Throwing out the baby with the bath water.” ? This should be the official motto the current medical system.

Dustin Siena, L.Ac.