Expeditions-backup
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 traveled here with Anthony. They made the expedition to meet Mater Shi, a devoted Buddhist who has practiced herbal medicine in these mountains by gathering herbs from the wilderness in a nearby national park. With a 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.
With home-made metal spikes tied to the bottom of our shoes, we climbed to the temple at the top of Mt. Emei and look down at the world below.
Master Shi's house hidden and in the protected by the surrounding Mt Emei forest.
This is a He Shou Wu Herb aka Polygonum multiform that was collected by Master Shi from the forest. It is an herb that aids in hair growth and helps improve appearance. In this image, it is in its wild form. At White Lotus, it is used as the core ingredient of the Hair Restoration Spray. As seen here, if the herb looked like a person, it is believed to have more value.
An image of Master Liu and Ganoderma (Ling Zhi) mushrooms. This mushroom is well-known in Asia and in Japan is called the Rei Shi mushroom. The importance of this mushroom can be deciphered by looking at ancient pictures where the pattern created by these is mostly painted as the backdrop. A powerful adaptogenic herb, it can be sold for thousands of US dollars. Especially it is large as seen in this image. Although it is rare, it can be found sitting among Master Shi's collection like any other. Clearly, money was not of importance to Master Shi.
A view from the top of Mt Emei that always lays above the clouds.
A breathtaking image of the walking trail up the mountain in winter.
With home-made metal spikes tied to the bottom of our shoes, we climbed to the temple at the top of Mt. Emei and look down at the world below.
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 industry. The use of this therapy can be seen carved into the walls in the ancient African Egypt. In White Lotus, these ancient cups are now supplied as a modern silicon version for cosmetics.
Hieroglyphic images representing the use of ancient cups as part of therapy. The medical uses that compose the therapy are also explained in the image.
Images of the cups which better displays the other medical implements used during the ancient times.
Kamila going through the products at a traditional attar oil and spice shop.
The gorgeous landscapes near the Nile River
A quick getaway site seeing in between work.
Kamila enjoying a much-deserved break on the way to Aswan along the Nile.
Hieroglyphic images representing the use of ancient cups as part of therapy. The medical uses that compose the therapy are also explained in the image.
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 this medicine. Although modern medicine has arrived in Tibet, many people still prefer the traditional medicine and travel from all over the region to this hospital. The herbs used as part of this medicine comprise of both herbs that grow in the region's wilderness and those that been shipped from China and India. When Anthony traveled to altitudes of more than 5000 meters, these herbs helped prevent altitude sickness.
The full moon setting as seen in the Tibetan mountains at 4,500 meters altitude at dawn on New Year's Day.
The image that is seen when peeping to from the courtyard of a temple. Being a very spiritual place, Tibetan Buddhists try to travel to Lhasa at least once as a pilgrimage. Here, they are greeted when seen and offered refreshments.
The pilgrimage is a challenging thing to do because the Buddhists must kneel down until their face touches the ground and stand to step forward to the place where the face was when they touched this ground. This prostration is repeated until they reach the temple. This may take many years.
Every afternoon monks meet in the monastery courtyard to debate on topics that have been chosen, a discipline that is believed to sharpen minds. These may be in relation to the philosophies of Buddha's teachings.
The Tibetan plains at 4000 meters altitude. In these plains, yaks are reared for their meat, milk, and butter by the locals. From this, the most unique of the teas, the Tibetan tea is made with black fermented tea, yak butter, and salt. It is a nutritious yet challenging flavour.
A traditional Mandala
A merchant is selling nutritious nuts, traditional herbs, and berries at the bottom of his cart that is topped with a variety of modern sweets.
The skyline of Lhasa
The full moon setting as seen in the Tibetan mountains at 4,500 meters altitude at dawn on New Year's Day.
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 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. All of the White Lotus serums and sprays only use organic herbs and organic ingredients.
The path leading up to the main Taoist temple on Mount Qingcheng.
A deserted winter night on Mount Qingcheng is shown here. This is the image that could be seen at nights and in early mornings while Anthony was visiting.
The accommodation on the temple had broken windows with the occasional snowfall seeing into the rooms. Any supply that is needed is carried by hand through the 1200 meters altitude. This effort always made the room and the roof over the head a thankful thing to have.
These organic Coptis Root (Coptis Rhizomeor, Huang Lian) shown in the field get grown via the traditional method in regions around the mountain.
A close up of the organic Coptis root that is used to reduce inflammation internally and reduce redness and inflammation of the skin.
A heartfelt thank you to friends and guides who have supported the local organic herbal markets.
The traditional medicinal markets tend to stretch out for miles. Shown here are different grades of pearls that are crushed and used in regional and global skin care treatments.
The temple on Mount Qingcheng at dusk.
The path leading up to the main Taoist temple on Mount Qingcheng.
Malaysia
The marks, lines, and blemishes on our faces can help with the diagnosis of any health issues related to internal organs and can become a crucial part of the first intervention. This face reading method was followed in ancient China. However, this is no longer practiced in China. Today, teachers of this practice can be found in Singapore and Malaysia. Thus, the fifth expedition took Anthony and Kamila to Malaysia.
According to ancient medicine, post-diagnosis, one can either be treated with acupuncture and herbs directly on for the internal organs or use massage and acupuncture to treat the lines and blemishes. The latter was more commonly used to deal with the health issues. Insights into these techniques will help those attempting to connect health and beauty in a holistic way. During this trip, Anthony and Kamila researched on tea production.
The white and green teas sold by White Lotus for internal health is based on this. Apart from this, most serums are also based on this green tea oil that is made from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
The ability of the Lotus to grow in swaps, be beautiful and be born again has long captured the attention of the spiritual people in Egypt and Asia. It is seen as an example of strength. Shown here is a local White Lotus flower that became the inspiration for the White Lotus Logo used by the company today.
Kamila in the tea fields during one of the expeditions
Shown here are Anthony and Kamila with thousands of dollars of savings. The teas that are fermented are stored for many years before they are sold here. This is something that is done in Malaysia and most Asian tea plantations. In fact, families store teas in their basement like people may store wine for several years. This is left for family members who can choose to use it or sell them at a very high price in the future.
Tea plantations that follow traditional methods require high altitude for a good harvest. This landscape allows for only hand picking of the tea leaves making any use of machinery obsolete.
The safest way to experience the windy and slippery roads of the tea fields is by foot.
Sampling the tea buds.
The ability of the Lotus to grow in swaps, be beautiful and be born again has long captured the attention of the spiritual people in Egypt and Asia. It is seen as an example of strength. Shown here is a local White Lotus flower that became the inspiration for the White Lotus Logo used by the company today.