What is Zrii?
Zrii is a powerful, new liquid nutritional drink, rooted in the
ancient wisdom of Ayurveda. Widely considered one the world's most
rejuvenating superfoods, Amalaki forms the basis of this delicious,
functional beverage.
Zrii synergistically combines Amalaki with six other herbs and
fruits, including Haritaki, Tulsi, Turmeric, Ginger, Jujube, and
Schizandra. Blended in a base of pomegranate, pear, and grape juice,
Zrii is packed full of antioxidants, bio-available Vitamin C,
free-radical scavenging Polyphenols, and bioflavanoids and natural
enzymes. This unique formulation is designed to promote cellular
rejuvenation, immune function and increased vitality.
How does Zrii reach the body's cells for maximum effect?
Zrii utilizes a liquid delivery system to promote optimal absorption
and assimilation of its active botanical ingredients. One of the unique
aspects of Zrii is the synergistic effect of its botanicals, which
derive from ancient Ayurvedic formulations. Rather than just consuming
large amounts of Amalaki, Ayurveda recommends combining it with other
herbs. These herbs open the channels of the body, increase metabolic
activity, and drive the nutritional components of Amalaki deeper into
the cells and tissues. The addition of Ginger, Turmeric, and Tulsi, in
particular, support this deep, cellular delivery.
As this process takes places, unwanted cellular debris and waste
will naturally begin to loosen from the tissues. Ayurveda prizes
Haritaki fruit as one of the most efficient botanicals for gently
detoxifying unwanted byproducts from the colon and bodily tissues.
Along with Amalaki, the prized Chinese fruits of Schizandra and Jujube
also act as general tonics for the blood and brain, creating an overall
balancing effect for the mind and body.
How was Zrii formulated?
There was tremendous discernment in the formulation of Zrii by a
team of MDs, nutritional PhDs and Ayurvedic scholars. The process
spanned over nine months and over 70 rounds of fine-tuning the
formulation. As successful physicians, researchers and authors in the
integrative medical field, the formulators aimed to create a wholly
unique product based upon the Amalaki fruit. The team rooted the
formulation in the 5,000 year-old tradition of Ayurveda, while
combining these ancient principles with modern nutritional and
biochemical science.
They began by looking at the classical Ayurvedic formulations using
the Amalaki fruit— of which there are literally hundreds. Eventually,
the potent triad of Amalaki, turmeric and Tulsi (a formulation
traditionally known as Nisha Amalaki Yoga) became the foundation of
Zrii. The formulators felt confident in choosing these botanicals due
to both their prized nutritional properties in Ayurveda, as well as the
hundreds of modern scientific studies conducted on these three
botanicals throughout the world. Eventually, the team chose the equally
impressive synergistic botanicals of Ginger, Haritaki, Schizandra and
jujube to round out the formulation.
In order to successfully integrate these botanicals into a liquid
delivery system, the formulators had to go back to the basics of
Ayurvedic nutrition/formulation, and examine:
rasa - balance of the six tastes present in the product
virya - heating/cooling and acid/alkaline forming properties of the combination
vipaka - post digestive effect on the tissues
gunas - individual qualities if the botanicals
prabhav - unique actions of the botanicals
dhatus - impact on the seven tissues (from gross to subtle)
agni - impact on the digestive and metabolic fires
doshas - how it balances the three constitutional body-mind types: vata, pitta and kapha
The team then had to conduct modern nutritional research (such as
anti-oxidant potency and human studies using digestive markers) to
ensure that the combination was both potent and safe for daily
consumption.
Are you doing scientific studies on Zrii?
Absolutely. Please click on the following link for our latest update on scientific research:
www.ZriiProduct.com/News and Articles
Is Zrii rooted in Ayurvedic Medicine?
Yes, please see “How was Zrii formulated?” above.
Also, it can be noted that Zrii is a modern application of Ayurvedic
principles, rather than a replica of a traditional Ayurvedic
formulation. Within the foundational tenets of Ayurveda is the belief
that the science should evolve in accordance with needs of its times.
Part of the challenge in formulating Zrii was to take powerful
bontanicals—which often taste quite bitter, pungent and sour—and
package them in a liquid delivery system that was both
highly-bio-available and palatable for daily consumption.
In regards to Ayurvedic credentials and expertise, Zrii is pleased
to have some of the foremost authorities of Ayurveda in the world on
its formulation team.
One of these is Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar MD (Ayurveda), a Brahman vaidya
(Ayurvedic physician) who has taught Ayurveda in over 30 countries and
is a gold medalist in Ayurveda from the prestigious University of
Poone. Dr. Suhas is a master physician and teacher within the Ayurvedic
sciences.
How does Zrii reach the body’s cells for maximum effect?
Zrii utilizes a liquid delivery system to promote optimal absorption
and assimilation of its active botanical ingredients. One of the unique
aspects of Zrii is the synergistic effect of its botanicals, which
derive from ancient Ayurvedic formulations. Rather than just consuming
large amounts of Amalaki, Ayurveda recommends combining it with other
herbs. These herbs open the channels of the body, increase metabolic
activity, and drive the nutritional components of Amalaki deeper into
the cells and tissues. The addition of Ginger, Turmeric, and Tulsi, in
particular, support this deep, cellular delivery.
As this process takes places, unwanted cellular debris and waste
will naturally begin to loosen from the tissues. Ayurveda prizes
Haritaki fruit as one of the most efficient botanicals for gently
detoxifying unwanted byproducts from the colon and bodily tissues.
Along with Amalaki, the prized Chinese fruits of Schizandra and Jujube
also act as general tonics for the blood and brain, creating an overall
balancing effect for the mind and body.
Have the seven botanicals in Zrii been studied by modern science?
Over the past 50 years, there have been over 1200 studies published for the seven botanicals in Zrii.
Note: by putting in the Latin names of the botanicals in the search bar, more results will often be shown.
Botanical Latin Names:
Amalaki (fruit) (Emblica officinalis)
Tumeric (root) (Curcuma longa)
Tulsi (leaf) (Ocimum sanctum)
Jujube (fruit) (Zizyphus jujuba)
Schizandra (fruit) (Schisandra chinenis)
Haritaki (fruit) (Chebulic myrobalan)
Ginger (root) (Zingiber officinale)
How do the ancient uses of the botanicals compare with modern scientific uses?
The following chart shows the seven botanicals in Zrii, their basic
uses in Ayurvedic and other traditional health systems, and what modern
science says about them.
Ingredient
Ayurvedic/Traditional Uses
What Science Says
Amalaki
Promotes immune function, increases overall
vitality, provides tissue nourishment, enhances digestion, controls
excess heat/acid, improves eye sight and skin luster
Serves as a powerful antioxidant, promotes healthy
blood sugar and cholesterol, possesses anti-aging effects, supports
cardiovascular system, protects brain and liver function, adaptogenic
Turmeric
Promotes circulation, enhances digestion, relieves pain, commonly combined with amalaki
Serves as a powerful antioxidant, curcuminoid compounds hold potent anti-inflammatory properties, improves cognitive function
Ginger
Enlivens the body's “digestive fires", enhances absorption and assimilation of nutrients
Possess anti-inflammatory properties, supports digestion, serves as an antioxidant, decreases motion sickness
Tulsi
Promotes immunity enhances respiratory function, serves as a digestive tonic
Contains antioxidant and antimicrobial properties,
helps protect cardiovascular system, promotes healthy blood sugar,
adaptogenic
Haritaki
Promotes mild cellular detoxification, improves digestive problems, nourishes tissues
Supports gastrointestinal system, helps protect the
cardiovascular system, supports healthy cholesterol, improves immunity,
adaptogenic
Schizandra
Serves as mental tonic, balances the nervous system, promotes restful sleep, enhances overall vitality
Supports the nervous system, improves immune function, serves as an antioxidant, supports liver function adaptogenic
Jujube
Serves as mental tonic, calms nervous system, acts as "harmonizing" agent in traditional formulations, purifies blood
Supports the nervous system, improves cognitive function, supports the cardiovascular system and liver function
How much Zrii should be consumed in a day?
The optimal serving size of Zrii is one ounce consumed 1 to 3 times a day.
This amount was set by Zrii’s Scientific Advisory Board to offer a
safe and physiologically significant serving level that can be enjoyed
by a broad cross-section of individuals.
It is also observed in Ayurveda that breaking up the serving levels
throughout the day (i.e. one ounce taken three times a day, rather than
three ounces all at once) can have a deeper effect within the body.
Should Zrii be consumed on an empty stomach or with food?
This is really a matter of preference. One may notice that drinking
Zrii before food allows them to feel the unique effects of the
botanicals more quickly. This is because the drink enters the
bloodstream more rapidly when consumed on an empty stomach.
When consuming Zrii with food, the active components will be
digested along with it, driving them deeper into the tissues through
the digestive process. In either scenario, the body will receive the
nutritional benefits of the active ingredients. For individuals
experiencing more deeply rooted or longstanding imbalances of the body,
taking Zrii with food may assist the delivery process more effectively.
How much of each botanical is present in Zrii?
Due to the proprietary nature of the formulation, specific amounts of botanicals are not available at this time.
There has been speculation and criticism in the broader liquid
nutritional industry that functional beverages are little more than
“sugar water” and contain miniscule amounts of active ingredients.
While Zrii can make no claims for the industry as a whole, from day one
the formulation team has stated that the botanical dosage levels in
Zrii would have to be “substantial on a per-ounce-of-product basis, in
order to enact significant physiological change within the body.”
Are the botanicals in Zrii organically grown and harvested?
Purity and potency are foundational components of Zrii’s
formulation. For this reason, Zrii has selected organically grown and
harvested sources of each botanical. This means that the seven
botanicals are not grown with any synthetic pesticides, herbicides,
genetically modified ingredients or other unnatural chemicals. Zrii has
received documentation from each supplier stating this fact, along with
ongoing, batch-specific testing for pesticides, heavy metals and other
harmful materials in order to back up these claims.
At this time, USDA guidelines and international regulations prevent
Zrii from using the term "organic" in reference to the all of the
botanicals in its formulation.
What role do the fruit juices play in the Formulation?
The fruit juices serve as carrier agents for the botanicals. They are also present to make the overall combination palatable.
The product contains seven juices, of which no single juice makes up
a significant portion of the juice blend. In other words, there is a
distribution among the pear, pomegranate, grape, raspberry, cranberry
and lime, rather than just being primarily one juice.
The question of how to make the product taste good was one of the
most challenging parts of the formulation process. We wanted to use
juices such as pomegranate because they're traditionally used with
amalaki and turmeric in formulations to help balance pH and also create
a “sweet vipaka” (post digestive affect), thus offsetting certain
acid-forming qualities of the botanicals. Pear and grape also have this
affect but to a lesser degree. They are used primarily to add sweetness
to the taste profile.
Are the fruit juices in Zrii organic?
The fruit juices in Zrii are currently not certified organic,
however, Zrii continues to analyze and explore organic possibilities.
One of the largest challenges has been finding a large and consistent
supply of organic juices such as pomegranate, pear puree and raspberry
juice. Like the botanicals, each juice is triple tested for synthetic
pesticides, bacteria and other harmful elements. This is done on the
supply side, before production and lastly as a finished product.
Is there sugar in the product?
Zrii was designed to have sugar content in the form of simple
carbohydrates from fruit pectins. There is no added sugar in our
formulation. The exclusion of fruit sugar from the formulation would
have provided different physiological implications for the way the
botanicals are metabolized by the body. It also would have tasted
extremely bitter without the natural sweeteners.
It is interesting not note that despite containing simple sugars,
Zrii was recently certified as a “Low Glycemic Food” by Glycemic Index
Labs, a leading glycemic researcher that conducted a clinical study on
the product. This is excellent for a product containing fruit juices
and suggests that the active constituents of the botanicals may slow
down/lessen the glycemic impact on the body. Click here for more
information on Zrii’s Glycemic Certfication.
Are there juice concentrates in Zrii?
Similar to the issues surrounding sourcing certain organic juices,
finding year round supplies of many non-concentrate juices provides a
major supply issue. Juice concentrates are typically used in
large-scale manufacturing for products with a longer shelf life that do
not contain synthetic preservatives.
Concentrates are made by removing the water from a whole juice to
make a concentrated juice. Water is then added back to reconstitute to
100 percent juice. These reconstituted concentrates, therefore, contain
the same sugar content and basic nutrient profile as whole juice
varieties. A common misconception about concentrates is that the sugar
is, in fact, somehow also concentrated in the end product or that the
juices are totally stripped of their nutrient value.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Standard Nutrient
Database, a cup of orange juice has about 110 calories whether it's
fresh-squeezed, frozen or made from concentrate.
The formulation team found that the concentrates worked sufficiently
from a nutritional standpoint and also in terms of taste, color and
consistency. From a manufacturing standpoint, they also cut down
tremendously on shipping costs, and energy usage, etc.
Why is Zrii pasteurized?
The formulation team went through extensive efforts to ensure that
the product would be flash pasteurized at the lowest possible
temperature for the shortest amount of time, while still protecting
from microbial contamination. Without pasteurizing the product, Zrii
would have the shelf life around that of a perishable juice bought in a
grocery store.
Having gone to the Himalayas to hand-select the wild-crafted growers
who would then cold-press and vacuum dry the fruit to make a potent
extract, this was an important issue for formulation team from a
potency standpoint. Knowing that any heating process can lead to some
nutritional degradation, the formulation team also figured in an
“overage” into the botanical quantities to ensure that the product
would still be both potent and efficacious.
Is the plastic used in Zrii bottles safe? Which plastics have been shown to leach?
Within the world of food-grade plastics, High Density Polyethylene
HDPE #2 (Zrii’s bottle) is considered one of the safest and easiest to
recycle.
There has been some concern in recent months regarding the leaching
of chemicals in plastics. This concern stemmed from a study suggesting
that #7 plastics (also called Lexan) can produce the unwanted chemical
bisphenol-A (BPA), thus leading to a variety of health issues. One
major manufacturer of reusable sports bottles just switched form #7
plastics back to HDPE #2 for this reason.
Is Zrii tested for heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and mercury?
Yes. Zrii adheres to the most stringent heavy metal testing
currently required by any state in the US. Potency and purity are
foundational components to the formulation. For this reason, Zrii
chooses to work with only the highest quality suppliers of botanicals
in both India and China.
Zrii is triple tested for heavy metal and trace mineral
contaminants, such as lead, arsenic and mercury. Botanicals are first
tested on the supply side, again upon arrival in the US, and lastly as
a finished product (with the juices) at the time of production. Zrii is
also tested for microorganisms, pesticides and several other
contaminants.
Is the amalaki harvested in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner?
The supply of amalaki found in Zrii comes from a highly respected,
multi-generational, family-run business in Northern India. The company
has provided jobs for native persons for decades in the Himalayan
region where the fruit is farmed. Through being wild-crafted, the
company utilizes its local contacts to harvest smaller numbers of wild
trees on private plots of land. By having access to a vast network of
these individual farms, the company is able to supply large quantities
of amalaki in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner.
The company considers this wild-crafting process the most responsible
farming method. It also leads to the purest amalaki, which is
consistent with the Ayurvedic principles at the foundation of the
company.
