Read more about Cho-wa’s background and products here.
Kumato Labs Cho-Wa (or the “Original Tiger Shogun formula” as commonly advertised online) is an organic herbal supplement specially formulated to support relaxation, stress relief, internal balance, immune system, and overall health.
Cho-Wa may also enhance mental acuity, cognitive functions, and memory due to the inclusion of several popular herbal extracts such as Ginkgo Biloba, Rhodiola Rosea, and Ginger root.
The original formula has its roots in imperial Japan and is believed to have its origin from the Shogun centuries ago. In fact, the story behind this unique formulation is fascinating, but more about that in our Cho-Wa review below.
Quick intro
Kumato Labs Cho-Wa has been around for almost a decade, and it’s one of the first dietary supplements introduced as a simple, easy-to-prepare tea beverage.
Each packet contains a mixture of various herbal ingredients rich in antioxidants, which strengthens immunity. The formula also helps get rid of toxins in the body.
Read our full Cho-Wa review below for an in-depth analysis of all the key features of this herbal supplement.
Our review will provide you with valuable information on the company behind the product, claimed benefits, core active ingredients, who is suppose to help, value per serving, where to buy it from at discounted price, customers’ take on the product, potential adverse effects, and our final take on whether you should consider trying the product or not.
About Kumato Labs
Cho-Wa is made by Kumato Labs, a small family business located in Signal Hill, California. Dr. Kumato founded the company to foster traditional Japanese medicine to the rest of the world.
The company specializes in developing and producing natural supplements inspired by old Japanese recipes. Besides Cho-Wa, Kumato Labs also makes Nemuri (supports restful sleep) and Comoxin (internal bowel support).
How to contact Kumato Labs:
- Address: 2646 St. Louis Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755
- Website: cho-wa.com
- Email: info@kumatolabs.com
- Phone: 800.882.0565
Cho-Wa ingredients
Cho-Wa’s formula contains 3,000 mg of a proprietary blend of the following ingredients:
- Green tea (leaf extract)
- Rhodiola Rosea (root extract)
- Ginkgo Biloba (root extract)
- Epimedium (aerial plant)
- Astragalus (root extract)
- Lycium (fruit)
- Euphoria (fruit)
- Ginger (rhizome)
- Tangerine (peel)
- Shiitake mushrooms (fruiting body)
- Reishi mushrooms (fruiting body)
- Maitake mushrooms (fruiting body)
Health benefits
Let’s start with the fascinating story behind the unique Cho-Wa formula. According to Kumato Labs, the tea has been used for centuries in Japan. It was supposedly concocted by a sensei solely for use by the Tiger Shogun. Even after his death, only his descendants were permitted to drink the secret tea formula.
After centuries, the secret formula was passed down to Dr. Kumato’s sensei, a traditional healer who spent most of his life in a small hut in the mountains.
Dr. Kumato learned how to brew the tea from this healer, and he then took it out of Japan to California, where it is now produced by Kumato Labs, making it available for purchase by the masses.
So what exactly is inside this ancient, secret tea formula?
This next part of our Cho-Wa review will analyze some core active ingredients included in the formula.
Green tea
Green tea is believed to be one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. It’s packed with antioxidants with countless health benefits, ranging from protecting your cells from free radical damage to enhancing cognitive function.
People used green tea in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine to heal wounds, control bleeding, improve mental health, aid digestion, improve heart health, and control body temperature.
Modern-day clinical studies and research seem to validate these ancient beliefs. Based on current data, green tea may positively affect weight management, inflammatory skin conditions, liver disorders, type 2 diabetes, working memory, Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive health, and more.
Green tea contains several potent active ingredients, such as caffeine, which is a recognized mental energizer. Green tea also includes the amino acid L-theanine, which produces a relaxing effect by boosting the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. It also increases the production of alpha waves and dopamine in the brain, which regulates mental alertness.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea has been utilized in ancient medicine for centuries, particularly in cold, mountainous areas in Scandinavia and Russia, where people believe the herb can treat fatigue, anemia, anxiety, depression, and headaches.
Numerous researches have been conducted on the plant. As a result, many researchers have classified the plant as an adaptogen, meaning that it makes you less prone to emotional and physical and emotional.
As a matter of fact, Rhodiola root extracts are among the most frequently used ingredients in brain supplements, mainly due to its root containing over 140 active ingredients, the two most potent being salidroside and rosavin.
Ginkgo Biloba
The Ginkgo Biloba tree is one of the oldest living tree species. Traditional Chinese medicine used different parts of the tree, but nowadays, most ginkgo biloba extracts are obtained from the dried green leaves of the tree.
The most valuable components of ginkgo are terpenoids, which help improve circulation by reducing the “stickiness” of platelets and dilating blood vessels, and flavonoids, which are potent antioxidants protecting against oxidative stress cell damage from harmful free radicals.
Ginkgo Biloba is also used to treat or prevent age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, anxiety, fatigue, asthma, and multiple sclerosis.
Shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) have grown in popularity in recent years. They contain an abundance of chemical compounds that shield your DNA from oxidative damage, which is partially why they’re so beneficial.
One of these compounds is Lentinan, which heals chromosome damage caused by anticancer treatments. Meanwhile, eritadenine substances found in shiitake mushrooms support cardiovascular health and help decrease cholesterol levels.
A study published in August 1995 by a team of researchers at Shizuoka University in Japan showed that eritadenine supplementation significantly reduced plasma cholesterol concentration.
Shiitakes are also unique for a plant because they contain a type of essential fatty acid called linoleic acid and all eight essential amino acids.
Linoleic acid helps with building muscle and weight loss. It also has bone-building benefits, lessens food allergies and sensitivities, and improves digestion.
Ginger
Ginger root extract is typically used in supplements for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.
For thousands of years, Arabic, Indian, and Asian healers prized ginger as food and medicine. In the same botanical family as cardamom and turmeric, this tropical plant was effectively used to relieve vomiting and nausea caused by sea sickness and illness.
Today, ginger has been researched for a wide array of medical conditions, including:
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)
- Osteoarthritis
- Morning sickness
- Joint pain (arthralgia)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Motion sickness
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
- Diabetes
- Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)
Reishi mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) have been a part of traditional medicine practices for more than 2,000 years. They are regarded as a “superfood” and commonly referred to as “the king of mushrooms.”
Reishi mushrooms are best known for their antioxidant and adaptogenic benefits. Beta-glucans (unique compounds found in these mushrooms) have been shown to support immune health and function.
Furthermore, clinical studies showed that reishi mushrooms could also promote mental clarity, reduce stress and anxiety, and support feelings of calm.
Price & where to buy
One box of Cho-Wa (30 packets) costs $59.95. The product is available directly from Kumato Labs’ store or several online retailers such as Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.
Cho-Wa is typically on sale on Amazon, but you can also find decent deals on the official Kumato store if you are willing to order at least six boxes – six boxes cost $215.82 ($35.97 per box) and nine boxes cost $269.73 ($29.97 per box).
Cho-Wa review – Pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Cho-Wa testimonials
I quit the coffee and chocolate and started taking Cho-Wa. It has been about three weeks, and I feel a “gentle lift” in the morning. BUT, if I did not sleep well or had a hard day previous, it was not a magic potion. If your adrenals are exhausted like mine were, it takes a lot of time and patience. Yes, I agree with some reviews. I did get dizzy and […] Read full review
My work is in holistic health, and I do things daily to take care of my health, so maybe that is why it seemed to strongly affect me, while some reviewers have noted no effect. It also did give a nice kick of energy. I enjoyed the taste of the tea, although […] Read full review
This is a lovely tea. It’s supposed to balance your blood sugar if you drink it regularly, it tastes good with honey; it also makes an excellent gift, I gave a box to my psychiatrist, and it seemed to have gone over pretty well, the box […] Read full review
Recommendations, adverse effects, and warnings
Kumato Labs Cho-Wa is advertised as safe to use with no associated dangerous adverse effects. Still, we advise caution since it contains a good amount of green tea, which has caffeine in it.
Furthermore, given the many herbal extracts included in each packet, some consumers may experience mild side effects, typically in response to how their bodies adjust to the product.
Cho-Wa side effects may include:
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Sweating
- High blood pressure
- Headaches
Dosage and how to take Cho-Wa
As a dietary supplement, take one (1) packet daily, as needed. Brew the beverage in about 240 ml of hot water. Steep for 5 to 10 minutes, as you would do with regular tea. For better results, drink the tea slowly during long breaks.
Cho-Wa contains green tea extract, which has a significant amount of caffeine. Do not use more than one (1) packet daily.
Comparison with competitors
Before we conclude our Cho-Wa review, let’s take a quick look over several other herbal supplements that may represent good alternatives for those not convinced by this formulation’s benefits.
Kava Stress Relief made by Yogi – This stress relief tea supplement is a naturally spicy-sweet and warming blend of organic Kava, Indian sarsaparilla root, cinnamon, and carob pod.
Unlike Cho-Wa, Kava Stress Relief doesn’t contain caffeine, making it a better alternative for those trying to avoid stimulants.
Yogi Kava Stress Relief tea is also cheaper. A six-pack (96 tea bags) costs $23.88. You can combine it with several other teas made by the same company – Yogi Bedtime, Honey Lavender Stress Relief, or Sweet Tangerine Positive Energy – for better results.
Stress Ease made by Traditional Medicines – This cinnamon tea claims to relieve stress, tension, and irritability. Each tea bag contains a mixture of skullcap, cinnamon bark, and licorice root for a fast-acting, unwinding, and grounding experience.
Stress Ease is affordable – a six-pack (96 tea bags) costs $24.00 – and one of the best-reviewed stress relief teas on Amazon.
Alpha Brain Instant Memory & Focus made by ONNIT – This more traditional, supplement-type approach could be another good alternative to Cho-Wa.
Each packet contains Alpha GPC Choline, Cat’s claw, L-theanine, and Bacopa monnieri for attention, memory, energy, clarity, and cognitive support. Furthermore, Alpha Brain Instant Memory & Focus is a stimulant-free brain supplement, meaning no dreaded afternoon crash.
As a downside, the supplement is more expensive than Cho-Wa, with one box (30 packets) costing $59.95.
Our final take
There is no doubt that Kumato Labs Cho-Wa tea supplement is an excellent option for those looking for a more traditional approach and an alternative to daily dietary supplements for stress relief.
Are we to believe the story behind this “ancient and secret formula?” Probably it’s just a story intended to help to sell the product. But regardless of that, Kumato Labs was able to put together a decent formula combining well-known and well-researched ingredients with proven benefits for cognitive health.
In the end, Cho-Wa gives you a simple option: rather than taking tablets, you take this as a hot beverage.
The product is reasonably priced for a supplement, and online Cho-Wa reviews and testimonials are pretty positive, with many buyers raving about the burst of energy and the mental sharpness this product gave them.
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Sources
At OneBrainReviews, we only use primary references for our articles, including peer-reviewed medical journals or well-respected academic institutions.
