Unfortunately, some of these superfoods are far from super, and closer to super-fads.

Others, like the ones featured in the SHŌJŌ Tonic formula, are based on the functional foods, cure-all elixirs and medicinal remedies from ancient Asian cultures.

So, let’s turn back the clock…

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) appeared centuries ago and included many therapeutic practices and treatments common today including acupuncture, gua sha, cupping and, most importantly to the topic at hand, herbal medicine.

As TCM practices grew in popularity, nations across the Asian continent began taking hints; Japan came up with Kānpo/Kampo (漢方), Korea created Sasang Constitutional Medicine (SCM), and Indonesia invented Jamu/Djamu.

As centuries passed, these indigenous Asian forms of medicines and elixirs grew in popularity globally, offering users a therapeutic and holistic alternative to western allopathic (science-based) modern forms of treatment.

Some of these ingredients, which you will spot in the ingredients section of any SHŌJŌ product, include: the anti-inflammatory root, turmeric (姜黄 ); the energy-boosting plant, ginseng (人参); the antioxidant-packed fruit, the goji berry (枸杞子); and the natural sweetener, monk fruit (罗汉果 ).

Fast forward to the 1960’s and Japanese pharmaceutical company, Lipovatin (リポビタン), manufactured the first-to-market vitamin drink aptly named “Lipovatin-D”. This revolutionary drink came in 100ml bottles (just like SHŌJŌ!) that contained a formula utilising these ancient ingredients, alongside taurine, vitamins BI, B2, B3 and B6, as well as caffeine, to energise Japanese workers who were suffering from low energy and lethargy.

Clearly the effects were felt immediately by these Japanese workers, as the idea of a fatigue-fighting and nutrient-rich health shot took off, with companies like Solmack, Tiovita, M-15 and Kratendang jumping on the trend to produce their own versions of a health tonic.

60 years on from Lipovatin, and the wellness tonic and health supplement market has expanded immensely.

Ready-to-drink (RTD) became the new way to give the body and much-needed boost; quick, cheap, portable, tasty and efficient. What more could you want?! You can even find these age-old ingredients in some of the most popular tonics, and energy and sports drinks on the market today, including RedBull, Monster, and V.

Of course, as years have passed and the demand for superfoods have grown, wellness tonics, health supplements and energy drinks are oftentimes far more diluted in order to contain these many ingredients at a cheaper cost to the producer and the consumer. BUT you can guarantee that SHŌJŌ maintains the concentration of ingredients in their products that are not only affordable, but of the highest quality (and have the most delicious taste!)