Shine™

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Overview

Shine is a traditional Chinese herbal formula containing St. John's Wort (Guan Ye Jin Si Tao), traditionally used to help support mood, energy, and emotional wellness for patterns of food, qi, blood, and phlegm stagnation. Shine is traditionally used to help promote the movement of qi and release constraint.

⚠️ Important — this formula is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care. Anyone experiencing persistent sadness, hopelessness, or thoughts of self-harm should seek help immediately from a physician, mental health professional, or a crisis line. Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. St. John's Wort may cause increased photosensitivity — avoid excessive sun or UV exposure while taking this formula. Do not use this formula with any prescription drug without your prescribing physician's advice. St. John's Wort has two critical known interactions: (1) it must not be used concurrently with antidepressant medication (MAOI, TCA, SSRI), as the combination may cause serotonin syndrome; allow at least two weeks after stopping an antidepressant before starting this formula, under physician guidance. (2) It can reduce the effectiveness of several prescription drugs, including cyclosporine, combined oral contraceptives, theophylline, digoxin, and certain antiretroviral medications — consult your physician before use if you take any of these. Shen Qu (Massa Fermentata) contains wheat — avoid if you have a wheat allergy.

Clinical Applications & Benefits

Shine is traditionally used to help support:

• Low energy, temporary emotional stagnation, or irritability
• Lack of interest in daily activities
• General emotional heaviness associated with stagnation patterns

Shine vs. Shine (DS): Shine is traditionally used for patterns involving stagnation of food, qi, blood, and phlegm, and contains St. John's Wort, so it must not be combined with prescribed emotional wellness medication without physician guidance. Shine (DS) is traditionally used for patterns of Liver qi stagnation and Heart fire and does not contain St. John's Wort, but any combination with prescription medication should still be discussed with your physician first.

Key Herbs (TCM Data)

— Guan Ye Jin Si Tao (St. John's Wort): the primary herb in this formula, traditionally used to help support mood and outlook.

— Yuan Zhi (Polygala) and He Huan Pi (Mimosa Bark): traditionally used to help calm the shen (spirit) and support restful mood.

— Shi Chang Pu (Acorus): traditionally used to help support mental clarity.

— Xiang Fu (Cyperi) and Chai Hu (Bupleuri): traditionally used to help promote the flow of Liver qi.

— Yu Jin (Curcuma) and Chuan Xiong: traditionally used to help invigorate blood circulation.

— Shen Qu: traditionally used to help support digestion.

— Cha Ye (Green Tea): traditionally used to help gently lift mood and support energy.

— Zhi Zi (Gardenia): traditionally used to help clear Heart heat and relieve irritability.

— Long Gu and Mu Li: traditionally used to help support restful sleep.

— Gan Cao and Da Zao: traditionally used to help nourish the Heart.

Safety & Contraindications

1. Not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care. Seek help immediately from a physician, mental health professional, or crisis line for persistent sadness, hopelessness, or thoughts of self-harm.
2. Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing.
3. May cause increased photosensitivity — avoid excessive sun or UV exposure.
4. Must not be used concurrently with antidepressant medication (MAOI, TCA, SSRI) — risk of serotonin syndrome. Allow at least two weeks after stopping an antidepressant, under physician guidance, before starting this formula.
5. May reduce the effectiveness of cyclosporine, combined oral contraceptives, theophylline, digoxin, and certain antiretroviral medications — consult your physician before use if you take any of these.
6. Shen Qu contains wheat — avoid if you have a wheat allergy.
7. Never stop or adjust a prescribed medication without your physician's guidance.

Dosage & Directions

Standard: 4 capsules three times daily with warm water on an empty stomach. May increase to 5–7 capsules for more pronounced symptoms.

Supplementary formulas: For temporary restlessness during habit transitions, poor appetite, and sleeplessness, this formula is traditionally paired with Schisandra ZZZ. For stress and restlessness, it is traditionally paired with Calm (ES). For a quick energy boost, it is traditionally paired with Vibrant. For ongoing fatigue, it is traditionally paired with Imperial Tonic.

Holistic Nutrition & Lifestyle

Nutrition: A varied diet of fresh fruits and vegetables is traditionally encouraged. Whole grains and nuts are traditionally encouraged. Warm foods and beverages are traditionally preferred over cold or raw foods. Sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods are traditionally reduced.

Lifestyle: Outdoor exercise and sunlight exposure (with sun protection, given the photosensitivity caution above) are traditionally encouraged. A balanced routine of work, rest, and movement is traditionally recommended to support overall emotional wellness.

Case Studies

The following reflect individual practitioner experiences and traditional use; results vary and are not guarantees of outcome for any individual. All patients remained under appropriate medical or practitioner supervision, and none of the cases below involved discontinuing or delaying prescribed medical treatment.

"A woman with low energy and low motivation in the mornings, consistent with qi stagnation, took Shine and reported feeling noticeably more energetic within a short time."

"A woman navigating a difficult life transition, with poor appetite and low mood, consistent with qi and blood stagnation, took Shine and reported feeling more grounded and focused over several weeks."

"A woman with premenstrual low energy and low mood, consistent with qi deficiency, took Shine alongside a supplementary formula and reported a more positive outlook after a few weeks."

Related Reading

Also see: Shine (DS) – for Liver qi stagnation and Heart fire patterns, Calm (ES) – for stress and restlessness, and the Relaxation, Emotional Grounding & Traditional Sleep Harmony Collection for related formulas.

Not sure if this is the right formula for you? Start with our Unified Search, browse by symptom with our Symptom & Formula Finder, or use our Lab Test & Formula Reference.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.