Dr. Sherman Lai C.M.D., Dr. Ac., BSc.

Oriental Healing Arts Research Inc.

Guelph, ON, Canada

April 2005

Abstract: For centuries Chinese women have used traditional herbal remedies and proper nutrition to preserve their vitality and slow the aging process. Royal family physicians of the Imperial Chinese court took this cultural ritual to the next step and designed a specific traditional Chinese herbal formula that would help Chinese Empresses preserve their youth and vitality. Empress’ Secret™ is a century’s old formula that was lost for decades. This long lost secret was rediscovered in 1983 by leading Chinese medical researcher Dr. Sherman Lai. However, it was not until 2001, with the help of the leading bio-technology in the modern herbal industry, that the creation of this unique herbal formula began. Now for the first time, the modern world can experience the lost treasures of the past.    

Keywords: Empress’ Secret™; Anti-Aging; Mother of Pearl; Panax Ginseng; Free radical scavenger

1. Introduction

The nature of the aging process has been the subject of considerable speculation over the past few decades. There are hundreds of theories attempting to explain the phenomenon of aging. The “Principal Damage Theory”, also know as the free radical theory of aging, was first postulated by Denham Harman in 1956(1). This theory states that the aging process is a result of an accumulation of changes caused by reactions in the body that are initiated by highly reactive molecules known as free radicals. It is the oxidative stress that is generated by theses free radicals that has been proven to be damaging to the health of our cells (1,2). Accumulating evidence now indicates that the sum of the deleterious free radical reactions going on continuously throughout the cells and tissues of our bodies constitutes a major contributor to the aging process of humans. This all natural, anti-aging, herbal remedy is a mixture of traditional Chinese herbs that have been scientifically documented to work as anti-oxidants, ridding the human body of these detrimental free radicals. Ligusticum chuanxiong (3,4), Glycyrhiza glabra (5) and Bupleurum Falcatum (6) are a few of the free radical scavengers in this ancient secret.  

Not only does Empress’ Secret™ exert its effects by decreasing the oxidative damage that human cells and tissues have been subjected to, it also helps to regulate a women’s body internally. When women think of aging, another word that closely follows is menopause; the fear of hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, breast swelling and tenderness, not to mention mood swings. Though the side effects of menopause are not life threatening, however, they can be quite unpleasant. During this period in a woman’s life the levels of female hormones drop, leaving the body susceptible to the above symptoms, which can also increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. Empress’ Secret™ has been shown to alleviate mild menopausal symptoms. Panax Ginseng(13), Bupleurum Falatun(7), Angelica Sinenesis (8), Glycyrhiza glabra Licorice (5,8) and Epimedium brevicornum(9,10) have all been extensively studied for their estrogenic activity and relief of the above symptoms. Panax Ginseng has been specifically studied to show strong estrogenic effects activating both alpha- and beta-estrogen receptors in a dose dependant manor. Epimedium brevicornum(10) and Rehmannia glutinosa (11) have also been shown to provide further protection against osteoporosis; Angelica Sinensis has been shown to aid in the treatment of bone injuries through accelerating the proliferation of human bone cells (12) as well as being used in the treatment of menstrual irregularities by purifying blood quality and improving a women’s circulation (12). Finally, Epimedium brevicornum has been regarded as a rejuvenating tonic for the reproductive system as it helps to increase a women’s libido as well as to treat different forms of impotence (9). This report serves to provide clinical observational data collected from 24 women world wide surrounding the anti-aging effect of Empress’ Secret™ and its possible use as a therapeutic treatment for menopausal women.

2. Methods of Research

This report is based on two clinical observations. The first was conducted at the Centre of Integrative Chinese Medicine a Division of Oriental Healing Arts Research Inc. under the supervision of Dr. Sherman Lai, TCM physician. The second was conducted in Taiwan under the supervision of Dr. Lou, TCM physician. In the Canadian study, 11 female patients participated in the clinical observation. The average age of the 11 women at commencement of the study was 43.3 years. Entry of the 11 women into the study was staggered depending on their treatment protocol at that time. Upon entry into the observation study, each patient was instructed to book regular consultations with Dr. Lai as well as fill out a questionnaire, which was issued on a quarterly basis. Both the questionnaire and the clinical assessments served as a measuring tool for patients’ success while taking Empress’ Secret™. Figure 1 outlines the parameters that were evaluated in the questionnaire.

Figure 1: Quarterly questionnaire issued to the patients involved in the Empress’ Secret™ clinical review. Patients were instructed to comment on the following areas according to the legend that was given:

Legend

·    1: Excellent

·    2: Good

·    3: Average

·    4: Poor/Excessive

·    5: Extremely poor/Excessive

Areas of Comment

General Issues                                                            Skin Condition

Condition of teeth                                                      Wrinkles

Muscle tone                                                               Texture

Breast firmness                                                          Liver spots

Joint flexibility

Eyesight                                                                      Hair Condition

Hearing                                                                      Dryness/brittle

Energy Level                                                               Oil content

Sex drive                                                                    Thickness

Memory                                             

Concentration                                                            Menstruation

Tolerance to temperature                                         Regularity

Tolerance to stress                                                     Pain/Cramping

Immune system function                                           Menstrual flow

                                                                                   Breast soreness

                                                                                   Water retention/bloating

                                                                                   Mood

Each of the 11 patients followed a standard treatment protocol prescribed by Dr. Lai. The dosages of Empress’ Secret™ varied from patient to patient, with the average dosage being 3.5g x 2/day (equivalent to seven capsules twice daily), which can be observed in Table 1. The average length of time that each patient was involved in the study was 22.2 months. Of the 11 patients involved in the clinical review, 6 were taking Dr. Lai’s Happy Tea™, a herbal formula for relieving stress and sleeping disorders, in conjunction with Empress’ Secret™. Ingredients for Dr. Lai’s Happy Tea™ can be found in Appendix B. In the Taiwanese study, 14 females (average age 54) participated. They were instructed to follow a standard treatment protocol prescribed by Dr. Lou, which entailed taking Empress’ Secret™ at a dosage of 3.0g x 2/day (equivalent to three capsules twice daily) and continue their regular diet and exercise regime. The average length of time that each patient participated in the study was 3 years. Each patient was also advised to complete a questionnaire similar to the one that was used in the Canadian study, however written in Mandarin.

3. Results  

Table 1: Observational and quarterly questionnaire results from the Canadian clinical observational assessment. *Note: Incomplete indicates an area that was not completed by the patient.

Patient Information

Clinical Assessment

Questionnaire Evaluation

Patient 1: Age 39

3.5g/day 

• Improvement in energy level
• Great improvement noticed in immune system function and brightness of skin
• Slight improvement in teeth, sex drive, tolerance to stress

Patient 2: Age 46

3.5g/day

• Improvement in stress level and sleeping patterns
• Slight improvement in hearing, energy levels, sex drive, concentration and immune system function, skin texture

Patient 3: Age 50

3.5g x 2/day 

• Improvement in energy levels and sleep patterns
• More muscle tone tone/firmness
• Incomplete

Patient 4: Age 40

3.5g x 2/day

• Decrease in severity and frequency of hot flashes
• Improvement in sleeping pattern and overall mood 
• Great improvement in breast firmness and sleeping patterns, brightness of skin
• Slight improvement in joint flexibility, hearing, energy levels, sex drive, memory and concentration

Patient 5: Age 37

3.5g x 2/day

• Decrease in night sweats and headaches
• Slight improvement in energy levels especially during menses
• Incomplete

Patient 6: Age 54

3.5g x 2/day

• Decrease in severity and frequency of hot flashes
• Improvement in sleeping patterns
• Great improvement noticed in breast firmness, sleeping patterns and mood, firmness and brightness of skin
• Slight improvement in joint flexibility, hearing, energy levels, sex drive, 
• memory and concentration

Patient 7: Age 42

3.5g x 2/day 🡪 3.5g/day

• Significant changes in her menstrual cycle (less spotting, more regular)
• Reduction in headaches and breast tenderness prior to menses
• Change in hair colour (less gray)
• Significant improvement in muscle tone, sex drive, breast soreness during menses, and dryness/brittle nature as well as oil content of hair
• Slight improvement in skin texture and liver spots

Patient 8: Age 52

3.5g x 2/day

• Incomplete
• Significant improvement was noted in breast firmness, and skin texture
• Slight improvement in muscle tone, joint flexibility, energy levels, sex drive, sleeping patterns

Patient 9: Age 39

3.5g x 2/day

• Incomplete
• Significant improvement in breast firmness
• Slight improvement in muscle tone, joint flexibility, energy levels, sex drive, and sleeping patterns

Patient 10: Age 49

5.3g x 2/day

• Improvement in energy levels, digestive system function, and hot flashes during the day and night
• Significant improvement was noted in breast firmness, brightness and firmness of skin
• Slight improvement in muscle tone, joint flexibility, energy levels, sex drive, and sleeping 

Patient 11: Age 28

3.0g/day

• Incomplete
• Significant improvement was noted in brightness, firmness and texture of skin, brightness of eyes, energy level, sex drive, cramping and mood swings during menstruation

Table 2: Results from the Taiwanese study outlining the percent improvement noted by the 14 women in the clinical observation study.

Most significant improvement

More than 70% improvement

- Energy improvement (14/14)

- Skin firmness: face, breast, hip and stretch marks (14/14)

- Increased muscle tone (12/14)

Secondary improvements

More than 50% improvement

- Improved hair colour/quality (10/14) 

- Improved memory (9/14)

- Improved sex drive (9/14)

- Increased joint flexibility (8/14)

Minor improvements

Less than 50% improvement

- Improved hearing (6/14)

- Improved eyesight (6/14)

- Regulation of menstrual cycle (6/14)

- Weight loss (6/14)

Complaints

- High energy resulting in difficulty sleeping if too many capsules were taken daily (2/14)

- Some found it takes a long time to see results (4/14) 

4. Results

Of the 11 women involved in the Canadian clinical study, 8 are continuing to take Empress’ Secret™ as they were extremely impressed with their results. From this study, significant improvements were noted from both the viewpoint of the physician and the patient. Clinically, the most significant findings in the Canadian observational study were an improvement in energy levels (36%), ability to sleep well at night (36%), reduction in hot flashes (27%) and night sweats (10%). Positive changes were also noticed in menstrual cycle regularity where one patient in particular noticed less spotting between cycles and a more regular cycle occurring every 28-32 days and lasting 4-6days. 

The questionnaire produced significant findings as well, with the largest improvements being noted in the sex drive category, where 100% of Canadian patients noticed a significant increase in their sex drive. Changes were also noted in energy levels during the day (64%), breast firmness (55%) skin texture (73%), muscle tone (36%), and joint flexibility (45%). Some women also noticed an improvement in their immune system function and ability to concentrate. One woman in particular not only noticed brightening of her eyes, but also an improvement in her eyesight. Her optician commented during regular follow-up sessions that her myopia was improving in that she no longer needed to wear her glasses for distance vision during the day. Figure 2 displays the average percentage of improvement noticed in both the Canadian and Taiwanese study from the clinical and questionnaire standpoint.

Figure 2: Average percentage change noticed by Canadian and Taiwanese women from the clinical setting and questionnaire results.

The clinical data collected from the study in Taiwan complements the results that we have displayed from the Canadian study, with the most significant changes being noted in energy level, skin firmness (i.e.: breast firmness and reduced wrinkles on face), and improvement in muscle tone, See table 2. None of the women dropped out of the study, and all are continuing to take Empress’ Secret™. One woman in particular, 30 years of age, noticed a 60% reduction in the size of her stretch marks. Although this is one case, it does present some interesting data that could be further investigated.

5. Discussion

In this study, 25 women, through clinical observation and questionnaire assessment, were able to show that Empress’ Secret™ is a formula that may balance the female hormones (estrogen and progesterone), ultimately reducing many of the classic signs of aging (i.e.: low energy levels, rough and wrinkled skin, decreased sex drive and others). A benefit of this study was that we were able to collect data from two different geographical areas. This allowed us to present data from women that live in two different communities who would have been exposed to different foods and environmental surroundings. It is important to note that both the Canadian and Taiwanese studies were conducted as a clinical review, and therefore could hold some degree of error due to the objective nature of the questionnaires as well as compliancy of the patients to follow the guidelines of the study. Although two different geographical areas can prove to be beneficial, we must also take into consideration that the different foods consumed, exercise and lifestyles lead between Canadian and Taiwanese women could allow for some degree of inaccuracy in our results. However, the findings presented from both studies show impressive, yet similar results, suggesting that Empress’ Secret™ could be an effective tool for anti-aging therapy. The preliminary results from the women indicate that the synergistic effect of the ingredients in Empress’ Secret™ help reduce signs of aging through balancing of hormones and detoxification. Further research will not only lead to increased understanding of Empress’ Secret™, but could also lead to the discovery of numerous additional applications of the formula. In conclusion, our results suggest that Empress’ Secret™ holds a tremendous amount of potential to be used as an anti-aging herbal remedy by reducing the classic signs of aging: wrinkles, liver spots, grey hair, depressed libido and low energy. Both the Canadian and Taiwanese studies also reveal the possibility that Empress’ Secret™ may be used as a therapeutic treatment for menopausal women.

Appendix A - Ingredient List 

Mother of Pearl Concha Margaritaferae

Mother of pearl has many applications in Chinese medicine. Primarily, its actions are to sedate the heart, settle tremor, clear the liver, eliminate blurred vision, calm the spirit, cool blood heat and promote healing. Because of its cooling properties, it is most often used in conditions marked by excess heat, including fever, palpitation and red eye.

Angelica Sinensis Radix Angelicae Sinensis

Angelica Sinensis affects the heart, liver and the spleen.

This particular root has many functions including; tonifing, invigorating and harmonizing the blood, dispersing cold, moistening the intestines, decreasing swelling, expelling pus, generating flesh and alleviating pain, including the pain from tumors. Clinically it has been shown to have an antibiotic effect and acts as a mild sedative.  

Ligusticum Radix Ligustici Chuanxiong

In traditional Chinese medicine, Ligusticum has acrid and warm properties. This herb is associated with the Liver, Gallbladder and Pericardium meridians.

Ligusticum’s main functions are to promote the flow of blood and Qi, dispel wind, and relieve pain. In China, practitioners generally prescribe this herb to treat irregular menstrual periods, dysmenorrhea, and headaches. It is also given to patients with inflammation caused by injuries, carbuncles and boils.

Peony (White) Paeonia lactiflora

In China this herb is known to nourish the blood and regulate the menses. It also calms and curves the liver yang and alleviates pain, while also preserving the yin and adjusting its nutritive and protective levels. This herb will try and balance any disharmonies that exist between the liver and spleen.

Rehmannia (Cooked) Radix Rehmanniae Glutinosae Conquitae

Rehmannia works mainly in the channels of the heart, kidney and liver. Its actions are to tonify and nourish the blood and yin.

Bupleurum Radix Bupleuri

Bupleurum exerts its affect on the gallbladder, liver, pericardium, triple burner.

Bupleurum has been shown in traditional uses to have an antibiotic affect, to regulate temperature as well as slightly lower ones blood pressure. It has also been shown to have an antitussive effect through a study conducted on mice that produced a tranquilizing affect. This is thought to be central in nature. Its main mode of action is to resolve lesser yang disorders, to reduce fever, relieve constraint, spread liver qi and raise the yang qi in patterns of spleen and stomach deficiencies.

Poria (fushen) Sclerotium Poriae Cocos Pararadici

In Chinese medicine, poria is used for a variety of functions. Some actions of the herb include promoting urination, leaching out dampness, strengthening the spleen, and calming the spirit.

Atractylodes Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae

Atractylodes is used in Chinese medicine to treat the spleen and stomach

It has been known to tonify and strengthen the spleen, augment the qi, dry dampness, stop spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency and also calms the fetus.

Apricot Seed Semen Pruni Armenicae

Apricot Seed has remarkable effects in diminishing coughs, moistening intestines and unblocking bowels. The principal channels and organs it works on are the large intestine and the lung.

Apricot has shown a great deal of success in dealing with pulmonary disease within a clinical setting, with a 70 percent success rate in the treatment of chronic bronchitis. This seed has repeatedly shown that it has a positive effect on coughing and wheezing and is used quite broadly for these types of disorders.

Coix Semen Coicis Lachryma-jobi

Coix is used in Chinese medicine to treat the spleen, lung and kidney

Its actions are to promote urination and to leach out dampness, strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea, clear heat and expel pus, expel wind dampness as well as clear damp heat. It has also been used in the treatment of plantar warts.

Moutan Cotex Moutan Radicis

Moutan affects the heart, liver and kidney channels.

It has a wide range of effects, including clearing heat, cooling blood, clearing fire, invigorating blood, dispelling blood stasis, clearing ascending liver fire, draining pus and reducing swelling. It has been shown to have strong antimicrobial effects.

Epimedium Herba Epimedii

Epimedium exerts its effects on the kidney and liver channels.

Epimedium is for deficient kidney yang patterns with such symptoms as impotence and frequent urination. It has also been shown to expel wind-damp-cold helping symptoms such as cramps, numbness and spasms in the hands and feet. Lastly, Epimedium is known to tonify the yin and yang and harness ascendant liver yang for lower back pain, menstrual irregularity and dizziness.

Curculigo Rhizoma Curculiginis

In Chinese medicine this particular herb is known to tonify the kidneys and fortify the yang. It has been used for female and male infertility due to either a cold womb, or cold essence. Curculigo also works to expel cold and eliminate dampness, especially useful for cold abdominal or lower back pain. This herb is known to exerts its effects on the kidney ad liver channels.

Morinda Radix Morindae Officinalis

This herb is shown to effect the liver and the kidney.

Morinda has been shown to tonify the kidneys and fortify the yang and strengthen the sinew and bones. Lastly, Morinda disperses wind and expels damp-cold.

Anemarrhena Anemarrhena asphodeloides

Anemarrhena works on the lungs, stomach and kidneys. The herbs main actions are to clear heat, drain fire, enrich yin, moisten dry conditions and generate fluids.

This particular herb has been shown to be useful in an antibiotic fashion and has demonstrated an inhibitory effect against numerous pathogenic bacteria. There has also been clinical trials portraying Anemarrhena’s effect on temperature regulation. Overall, this herb has been shown to inhibit the febrile response when one has been infected with Salmonella typhi.

Lycium Fruit Fructus Lycii

This fruit is shown to affect the liver, lung and kidney channels.

Lycium fruit is known to nourish and tonify the liver and kidneys, benefit the essence and brighten the eyes as well as enrich the yin and moisten the lungs. Pharmacological and clinical research indicates a protective effect on the liver.

Licorice Root Glycyrrhizae Uralensis, Radix

The Licorice Root is one of the most highly regarded herbs because of its ability to treat multiple functions. Working on all 12 channels of the body, it tonifies the spleen, augments qi, moistens lungs, stops coughing, clears heat, relieves toxicity, alleviates pain and harmonizes characteristics of other herbs.

The Licorice has an extremely wide array of uses including anti-inflammatory effects, use for asthmatics, gastrointestinal uses and various forms of detoxification.

Carthamus Carthamus tinctorius

Carthamus works on the heart and liver. It invigorates the blood, promoting the movement of qi, and dispels blood stasis alleviating pain. Recently this herb has been used in treatment of coronary artery disease because of its blood pressure lowering properties. There have also been some findings suggesting that this herb helps with cholesterol metabolism, where it has been known to lower serum cholesterol levels in rabbit trials.

Persica Semen Persicae

Persica is known to affect the heart, liver, lung and large intestine.

Persica has been shown to break up blood stasis and moistens the intestines. It therefore helps to unblock the bowels.

Panax Ginseng Ren Shen

Panax Ginseng is used in Chinese medicine to treat the lung and spleen channels.

Panax Ginseng is known to benefit the heart Qi and calm the spirit. It also helps to generate fluids, therefore, decresing thirst. Panax Ginseng has also been shown to strengthen the spleen, tonifies both the stomach and the lungs and strongly tonifies the basal Qi.

Spatholobi Spatholobus suberectus

Spatholobi exerts its effect on the heart, liver and the spleen.

Spatholobi has been known to promote the movement of as well as tonify the blood. This herb is used for numerous problems due to a blood deficiency. It has also been shown to invigorate the channels and relax the sinews.     

Appendix B – References

1. Ashok B and Ali, R. (1999). The aging paradox: free radical theory if aging. Experimental Gerontology. 34; 293-303.

2. Yu, B. (1999). Approaches to anti-aging intervention: the promises and the uncertainties. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development. 111; 73-87.

3. Hou, Y.Z., Zhao, G.R., Yang, J., Yuan, Y.J., Zhu, G.G. and Hiltunen, R. Protective effect of Ligusticum chuanxiong and Angelica sinensis on endothelial cell damage induced by hydrogen peroxide. Life Science. 75; 1775-1786.

4. Sheu, J., Kan, Y, Lin, C. and Yen, M. (2000). The antiplatelet activity of tetramethylpyrazine is mediated through activation of NO synthase. Life Sciences. 67; 937-947.

5. Dhingra, D., Parle, M. and Kulkami, S. (2004) Memory enhancing activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra in mice. Journal of Ethno-Pharmacy. 91; 361-365.

6. Chou, C., Pan, S., Teng, C. and Guh, J.. (2003) Pharmacological evaluation of several major ingredients of Chinese herbal medicines in human hepatoma Hep3B cell. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 19;403-412.

7. Miller-Martini, D., Chan, R., Sheu, N. and Wong, Y. (2001) A Reporter Gene Assay for the Detection of Phytoestrogens in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Phytotherapy Research. 15; 487-492.

8. Liu, J., Burdette, J., Xu, H., Gu, C., van Breemen, R., Bhat, K., Booth, N., Constantinou, A., Pezzuto, J., Fong, H., Farnsworth, N. and Bolton, J. (2001) Evaluation of Estrogenic Activity of Plant Extracts for the Potential Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms. Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry. 49;2472-2479. 

9. Naeyer, A., Pocock, V., Milligan, S. and Keukeleire, D. (2005) Estrogenic activity of a polyphenolic extract of the leaves of Epimedium brevicornum. Fitoterapia. 76; 35-40.

10. Wang, Z. and Lou, Y. (2004) Proliferation-stimulating effects of icaritin and desmethylicaritin in MCF-7 cells. European Journal of Pharmacology. 504; 147-153.

11. Oh, K., Kim, S., Kim, J., Ko, S., Kim, H., Baek, J., Ryoo, H and Kim, J. (2003) Effect of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch extracts on bone metabolism. Clinica Chimica. 334; 185-195.

12. Yang, Q., Populo, S., Populo, S., Zhang, J., Yang, G. and Kodama, H. Effect of Angelica sinensis on the proliferation of human bone cells. Clinica Chimica. 324: 89-97.