Expeditions

Mount Emei

Huddled between the foothills of South Sichuan in the Himalayas, Mount Emei is one of its five sacred Buddhist Mountains. Qi Gong master Liu, who was Anthony's friend and teacher travelled here with Anthony.

They made the expedition to meet Mater Shi, a devoted Buddhist who has practised herbal medicine in these mountains by gathering herbs from the wilderness in a nearby national park. With special permission from the government, he stays in his house inside the national park.

Master Shi collects herbs that are distinct and unique. He steers clear from any agricultural produce. Herbs that grow naturally in the wild often have strong energy. The locals hold the belief that herbs that grow this way have great spiritual power. Because of this, it is also believed to be how the Sichuan herbalists in the olden eras. Anthony got the opportunity to learn directly from Master Shi and is thankful for the knowledge he received from him.

The images above depict Masters Shi house where Anthony was fortunate to spend time learning, Master Shi was collected amazing wild He Shou Wu Herb aka Polygonum multiform and Ganoderma (Ling Zhi) mushrooms all of which White Lotus uses in its herbal skincare range

Other views show the incredible views from the top of Mt Emei in Winter

Aswan

This was an expedition to Egypt that took Kamila and Anthony to meet new suppliers for natural attar oil and aftershaves. Most of the best sourced ingredients used in perfumes can be found in India and Egypt with the latter nation's ingredients being recognized as superior.

During this time in Aswan, they were able to see the first cupping images that are depicted on ancient walls. This therapy is well-known in Japan, Korea, and China in the medical and cosmetic industries. The use of this therapy can be seen carved into the walls in ancient African Egypt. In White Lotus, these ancient cups are now supplied as a modern silicon version for cosmetics.

Tibet

Tibetan medicine has the unique combination of using traditional medicine from China and Ayurveda medicine from India. Anthony's expedition took him to the last standing Tibetan hospital that teaches the traditional medicine system of Tibet.

Although modern medicine has arrived in Tibet, many people still prefer traditional medicine and travel from all over the region to this hospital. The herbs used as part of this medicine comprise both herbs that grow in the region's wilderness and those that have been shipped from China and India.

As Anthony travelled to altitudes of more than 5000 meters, these herbs helped prevent altitude sickness and some were later incorporated into the White Lotus skincare range.

Mount Qingcheng

This mountain is believed to be located in the 'acupuncture point' of the earth. Many Taoists believe that most holy mountains are situated like this. This is quite different from the Buddhist holy mountains where the Buddhists believe that through meditation and practice they can create these energy fields anywhere.

This expedition was taken by Anthony while researching local herbs and organizing a partnership to import the organic medicinal herbs that grow there to Australia. It is also considered to be a powerful place to study meditation and Qi Gong and while studying Anthony spent time camping at the top of the mountains during winter which is not for the faint of heart while

Some of the images above picture the local organic Coptis Root (Coptis Rhizomeor, Huang Lian) shown in the field being grown via the traditional method in regions around the mountain. This herb was used extensively in the White Lotus clinic for the reduction in acne and other inflammatory conditions.

Malaysia

As face reading can not officially be taught in China, Anthony and Kamila travelled repeatedly to Malaysia and Singapore to study what later developed into their face reading courses.

While there they also sourced organic green tea oil made from the seeds of the Camellia sinensis plant. This oil is still the basis of the organic green tea oil used in their Gua Sha treatments.

Depicted in the images is an image of a White Lotus which became the inspiration for early logos and was transformed into a beautiful painting for the entrance of the White Lotus clinic.