Emotional Balance, inspired by the calming, popular, and powerful herbal blend Free & Easy Wanderer (Xiao Yao San), continues to amaze me as I discover the incredible versatility this powerful blend of 8 herbs offers.  From easing stress to offering a modest boost in energy, this formula can be incorporated in a number of ways for improved health and wellness.

You may be wondering, how can Xiao Yao San help me?  

Below are 5 simple ways to incorporate Xiao Yao San into your lifestyle:

First & Foremost : Sleep 

During our recent "Show Us Your Tongue" campaign, we were overwhelmed by the number of people whose tongues showed us they weren't sleeping due to Liver Qi Stagnation.  Xiao Yao San translates to “Free & Easy Wanderer”, named after the traveling Daoists.  If you wake up in the middle of the night with festering thoughts, this formula is traditionally used to support relaxation and a calm mind, which can help ease into restful sleep.  Instead of stressing out over what happened earlier in the day, what you said that you wish you hadn’t, or what you have going on the next day, it helps you move past those thoughts, much like a true “Free & Easy Wanderer".  One customer writes “It helps my overall sleep” and another writes “I can always tell a difference in not only my sleep but my ability to focus and stay calm throughout the day. Love it!”  Many of our customers take one packet in the evening to help them sleep better, but you can also add one packet to your morning routine.

Promotes a Sense of Calm and Relaxation

You know those weeks that are so busy, your head spins?  If that feels like pretty much every week for you, Xiao Yao San would be a great formula.  A customer writes: "Emotional Balance helped me feel noticeably more at ease during a very stressful time. I’ve been overwhelmed with work and feeling mentally drained. This morning, I felt the tension building again, so I tried the tea for the first time—and I began to feel noticeably more at ease not long after. My thoughts are still there, but I’m no longer overwhelmed by them. It made a big difference for me, and I’ll definitely be keeping it stocked.” This formula works great during stressful times.  Our founder recently wrote about how this formula makes him feel happier, and you can read more here.

Increases Energy, with Just the Correct Amount

Many of our customers are looking to either reduce or completely ditch caffeine, and they find that our version of Xiao Yao San is a great replacement. 
One customer writes: “Instant Mood Lifter.  Shifting away from caffeine throughout the day had caused mood swings I wasn't prepared for. A packet of Emotional Balance not only curbed those, but gave me the pep in my step I was lacking without coffee. It has now replaced my morning coffee altogether. I can also have one midday without the worry of not being able to sleep that night as a result. Fantastic product.”  Again, we often find these results instantaneous.  A natural, caffeine-free alternative to support daily energy and alertness.

Supports Digestive Harmony and Occasional Feelings of Fullness

Have you ever felt so anxious about something that you feel that anxiousness in the pit of your stomach?  As more research comes to light about the gut/brain connection, we are starting to better understand why a happy mind often means a happy gut, and vice versa.  If you experience occasional digestive discomfort along with feelings of stress or mood fluctuations, it’s likely they’re related and helping one will in turn help the other.  One of our customers writes: “Excellent formula! I really loved the balancing effect on my stress level, and it also had a positive impact on my digestion as a bonus.”  If you’re feeling bloated or your digestion feels sluggish, I recommend taking two of these a day.

Herbal Support for Women's Natural Rhythms

During the premenstrual phase, many women experience emotional and physical changes, such as mood fluctuations, bloating, and feelings of imbalance. As women transition into perimenopause, these experiences may intensify due to natural hormonal fluctuations.

Xiao Yao San, also known as "Free and Easy Wanderer," is a traditional Chinese herbal formula that has been used for centuries to support women's health. It is traditionally believed to promote emotional well-being and maintain hormonal balance.

DAO Labs incorporates this time-honored formula into their Women's Kit, offering a modern approach to traditional practices. Their Emotional Balance product, inspired by Xiao Yao San, is designed to support emotional clarity and calmness.

For optimal support, it is recommended to take two to three packets of Emotional Balance daily, starting about one week before the anticipated start of the menstrual cycle or as needed during perimenopause. As with any supplement, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new regimen.

Xiao Yao San has been around for centuries, but DAO Labs offers a unique twist, with the goal of making it easier to incorporate into your wellness protocol.  Herbs only work if you take them, and traditionally, Chinese herbs are confusing for the general consumer, not very tasty, or clunky.  Available in pills or granules, granules work faster, but these herbs are bitter and taste terrible. Pills often need to be taken in high doses multiple times a day, and for those of us who are on the go, it can be easy to forget and therefore difficult to incorporate.  DAO Labs has taken these powerful herbs in a granulated format and complemented the natural flavors of these herbs with refreshing cucumber and apple. Simply add cool or room temperature water and within moments, feel cooler, calmer, and ready to take on the next challenge your day may bring.  

Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider.  This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease.  That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options.  If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us at hello@mydaolabs.com. 

Dr. Eric Karchmer is a practicing Chinese medical doctor, medical anthropologist, and co-founder and Chief Doctor of Chinese Medicine for DAO Labs. From 1995-2000, Eric studied at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and today is both a licensed acupuncturist and professor at Appalachian State University. Eric can be reached at drkarchmer@mydaolabs.com.