Ayurvedic Botanicals in IQed
WHAT IS AYURVEDA?
IQed brings together modern nutrition with the time-honored principles of Ayurveda, a traditional system of wellness with roots in India dating back thousands of years. The word Ayurveda is often translated as the **“knowledge” or “science of life,”** reflecting its longstanding focus on balance, nourishment, and everyday well-being.
That philosophy is part of what makes IQed different. Each flavor contains **9 carefully selected Ayurvedic botanicals, including turmeric**, alongside high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals, omega-3s, soluble fiber, and essential amino acids.
IQed’s botanicals include Turmeric, Amalaki, Haritaki, Gymnema, Green Tea, Guggul, Cocoa, plus Cinnamon in Vanilla or Cayenne Pepper in Chocolate.
And because natural does not automatically mean pure, IQed goes beyond ingredient selection with **testing for heavy metals and more than 150 environmental contaminants.**
In addition to providing 100% of all the essential nutrients required daily, all-natural IQed contains a proprietary, potent, adaptogenic, phytonutrient, antioxidant ayurvedic blend rich in natural prebiotics and antivirals that support the brain, metabolic and immune system.
Modern science continues to advance, but the foundations of good health still matter: nourishing food, movement, rest, and the choices we make every day. Ayurveda has emphasized the connection between food, plants, botanicals, and whole-body wellness for thousands of years. IQed brings that ancient wisdom together with modern nutritional science through complete nutrition and 9 carefully selected Ayurvedic botanicals, including turmeric.
Turmeric [Curcuma Longa]
Turmeric is one of the world’s best-known and most extensively studied Ayurvedic botanicals, with a long history of use in traditional Indian health practices. It has been valued in Ayurveda for supporting digestion, metabolic balance, circulation, and overall vitality, and is often used alongside other botanicals such as Amalaki.
Modern research has focused heavily on turmeric’s naturally occurring phytonutrients, particularly curcumin, along with demethoxycurcumin, turmerones, and other bioactive compounds. These compounds have been widely studied for their antioxidant activity and their role in supporting a healthy inflammatory response.
Research has also explored turmeric and curcumin in connection with brain health, memory and cognition, cardiovascular health, healthy glucose metabolism, liver function, and immune function. Its antioxidant activity may help protect cells from oxidative stress, an area of growing interest in healthy aging and long-term wellness.
Turmeric also has an important relationship with digestive health. It has traditionally been used to support digestion, and research has examined its effects on digestive enzymes, the intestinal environment, and the gut microbiome. Turmeric contains naturally occurring compounds that may help support beneficial gut bacteria, giving it potential prebiotic activity.
Beyond its phytonutrients, turmeric naturally provides nutrients including iron and manganese, with smaller amounts of vitamin B6, copper, potassium, and dietary fiber.
The combination of thousands of years of traditional use and extensive modern scientific investigation is one reason turmeric is an important component of IQed Smart Nutrition.
Amalaki [Emblica officinalis]
Amalaki, also known as Indian gooseberry or amla, has been valued in Ayurveda for thousands of years as a rejuvenating botanical traditionally associated with vitality, resilience, digestion, and healthy aging. It is one of Ayurveda’s most widely used fruits and is commonly included in traditional botanical preparations.
Amalaki is naturally rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients that help protect cells from oxidative stress. Its traditional use as a rejuvenative aligns with modern scientific interest in its potential roles in supporting immune function, metabolic health, and overall cellular health.
Digestive support is another major part of Amalaki’s traditional use. In Ayurveda, it has long been used to support the gastrointestinal system, healthy digestion, regularity, and digestive comfort. Modern research has also examined Amalaki in connection with gut health, glucose metabolism, and healthy blood sugar regulation.
Amalaki naturally contains a range of beneficial plant compounds, along with amino acids, trace minerals, and other naturally occurring nutrients. These compounds contribute to the fruit’s antioxidant activity and are among the reasons Amalaki continues to attract scientific interest.
Traditionally classified as a rejuvenating and adaptogenic botanical, Amalaki has also been studied for its potential to help the body maintain balance during physical and metabolic stress.
The combination of thousands of years of Ayurvedic use, its unusually rich phytonutrient profile, and continuing modern research makes Amalaki an important component of IQed Smart Nutrition.
. Haritaki [Terminalia chebula]
Haritaki has been highly regarded in Ayurveda for centuries and is traditionally known as the “mother of herbs.” The fruit of the Terminalia chebula tree has long been used in Ayurvedic practice as a rejuvenating botanical associated with digestion, cleansing, metabolic balance, and overall vitality.
Haritaki is naturally rich in polyphenols and other phytonutrients, compounds widely studied for their antioxidant activity and their role in helping protect cells from oxidative stress. These properties are among the reasons Haritaki has also been described in traditional and modern botanical literature as having adaptogenic qualities.
Digestive support is one of Haritaki’s best-known traditional uses. Ayurveda has long used it to support the body’s natural cleansing processes, healthy digestion, regularity, and proper colon function. Its naturally astringent properties are traditionally associated with stimulating digestion and helping maintain balance within the gastrointestinal tract.
Modern research has increasingly examined Terminalia chebula for its antioxidant, digestive, metabolic, and gastrointestinal properties, as well as the biological activity of its naturally occurring plant compounds.
Traditionally used as both a rejuvenative and digestive botanical, Haritaki represents another example of the connection between ancient Ayurvedic practice and modern scientific investigation.
Its long history of use, rich phytonutrient profile, and continuing scientific interest make Haritaki an important component of IQed Smart Nutrition.
Gymnema [Gymnema sylvestre]
Gymnema has been used in Ayurvedic tradition for nearly 2,000 years, particularly for supporting healthy blood sugar balance and metabolic function. Historically, it became known as the “sugar destroyer” because compounds in the leaves can temporarily reduce the perception of sweetness and have been studied for their interaction with sugar absorption.
Gymnema contains a variety of naturally occurring phytonutrients, including triterpenoids and gymnemic acids, which have attracted considerable scientific interest. These plant compounds are among the reasons Gymnema continues to be studied for its potential role in supporting healthy glucose metabolism.
Modern research has examined Gymnema sylvestre in connection with blood glucose regulation, insulin function, carbohydrate metabolism, and overall metabolic health. Its antioxidant activity has also been studied for its potential role in helping protect cells from oxidative stress.
Traditionally, Gymnema has also been regarded as an adaptogenic botanical, meaning it has been used to help support the body’s ability to maintain balance during physical and metabolic stress.
The combination of its long Ayurvedic history, distinctive relationship with sweetness and sugar metabolism, antioxidant activity, and continuing scientific research makes Gymnema an important component of IQed Smart Nutrition.
Green Tea [Camellia sinensis]
Green tea has been valued for centuries for its health-supporting properties and is one of the most extensively studied plant-based beverages in the world. It contains a rich concentration of polyphenols and flavonoids, including the well-known catechin EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which has been widely studied for its antioxidant activity.
These naturally occurring compounds help protect cells from oxidative stress and have been investigated for their potential roles in supporting cardiovascular health, metabolic health, immune function, and healthy aging.
Green tea has also attracted significant research interest for its possible effects on memory, cognition, attention, and overall brain health. Its combination of catechins, polyphenols, and other phytochemicals is believed to contribute to these effects.
Researchers have also studied green tea in relation to healthy glucose metabolism, thermogenesis, energy expenditure, and weight-management support, making it especially relevant to metabolic health research.
Another emerging area of interest is the gut microbiome. Green tea polyphenols may help support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, giving green tea potential prebiotic activity in addition to its well-established antioxidant properties.
The combination of its rich phytonutrient profile, extensive modern research, antioxidant activity, and potential benefits for brain, metabolic, cardiovascular, and gut health makes green tea an important component of IQed Smart Nutrition.
Chia [Salvia]
Chia seeds have a long history as a valued food among the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, where they were prized for their ability to provide sustained energy and nourishment. Historical accounts describe chia as an important staple crop, and it was considered valuable enough to be used in trade and tribute.
Chia seeds have a long history as a valued food among the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, where they were prized for their ability to provide sustained energy and nourishment. Historical accounts describe chia as an important staple crop, and it was considered valuable enough to be used in trade and tribute.
Despite their small size, chia seeds are exceptionally nutrient-dense. They are naturally rich in fiber, antioxidants, minerals, and beneficial phytonutrients, and are especially well known as a plant source of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential because the body cannot produce them on its own and they must be obtained through food. ALA has been widely studied for its role in supporting cardiovascular health, healthy inflammatory balance, and overall metabolic wellness.
Chia is also notable for its unusually high fiber content. When exposed to liquid, the seeds form a gel-like coating that helps retain water, contributing to their traditional reputation for supporting hydration and sustained energy. Their soluble fiber may also help support healthy digestion, regularity, and the gut microbiome, giving chia natural prebiotic properties.
Chia seeds also provide plant-based protein and naturally occurring minerals and antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress. Their combination of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, phytonutrients, and nutrient density is why chia is frequently described as a “superfood.”
Its long history as a sustaining whole food, together with its modern nutritional profile and research into cardiovascular, digestive, metabolic, and gut health, makes chia an important component of IQed Smart Nutrition.
Guggul [Commiphora mukul]
Guggul has been used in Ayurvedic tradition for centuries and is derived from the resin of the Mukul myrrh tree. In Sanskrit, the name guggul has traditionally been associated with protection and purification, reflecting its longstanding role in Ayurvedic practices focused on metabolism, circulation, and internal balance.
In Ayurveda, guggul has been used to help address the accumulation of “ama,” a traditional term describing unwanted metabolic waste associated with sluggish digestion and impaired circulation. It has also been valued as a rejuvenating botanical traditionally associated with metabolic health, energy, joint mobility, and healthy liver function.
Guggul is naturally rich in phytonutrients and biologically active compounds, including guggulsterones, which have attracted significant scientific interest. Modern research has examined guggul in connection with cholesterol metabolism, lipid balance, weight management, antioxidant activity, and cardiovascular health.
Its traditional use also extends to supporting circulation and the lymphatic system, areas historically connected in Ayurveda with the body’s natural cleansing and rejuvenating processes.
Researchers have additionally studied guggul for its antioxidant and adaptogenic properties, including its potential role in helping the body respond to metabolic and oxidative stress.
The combination of its long Ayurvedic history, distinctive resin-derived phytonutrients, traditional metabolic uses, and continuing modern scientific research makes guggul an important component of IQed Smart Nutrition.
Cocoa [Theobroma cacao]
Cocoa has been valued for centuries, dating back to ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, where cacao beans were prized as both a food and a form of currency. Today, cocoa continues to attract significant scientific interest because of its unusually rich concentration of naturally occurring flavanols, polyphenols, and other phytonutrients.
Among cocoa’s best-studied compounds are epicatechin, catechins, procyanidins, and theobromine. These compounds contribute to cocoa’s powerful antioxidant activity and have been widely investigated for their role in helping protect cells from oxidative stress.
Cocoa flavanols are especially well known for their relationship with healthy circulation and blood-vessel function. Research has examined their ability to support healthy blood flow, an important factor in cardiovascular health as well as the delivery of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
That circulatory connection has also made cocoa an area of interest in brain health and cognition. Studies have explored cocoa flavanols in relation to memory, attention, thinking skills, and cerebral blood flow, creating an important link between cocoa’s cardiovascular and cognitive research.
Cocoa also has an emerging connection to gut health. Its polyphenols interact with the intestinal microbiome and may help support populations of beneficial gut bacteria, giving cocoa potential prebiotic activity in addition to its antioxidant properties.
The combination of its ancient history, exceptionally rich phytonutrient profile, antioxidant activity, and modern research into cardiovascular, cognitive, and gut health makes cocoa an important component of IQed Smart Nutrition.
Cinnamon [Cinnamomum verum]
Used in the Vanilla version of IQed Smart Nutrition™
Cinnamon has a long history as both a culinary spice and a traditional botanical, with use in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine dating back centuries. Once considered so valuable that it was traded as a precious commodity, cinnamon has remained prized for its distinctive flavor as well as its potential health-supporting properties.
Cinnamon is naturally rich in polyphenols and other phytonutrients with significant antioxidant activity. These compounds have been widely studied for their role in helping protect cells from oxidative stress and supporting a healthy inflammatory response.
One of the most researched areas involving cinnamon is glucose metabolism. Studies have examined its potential effects on post-meal blood sugar response, insulin sensitivity, and the maintenance of healthy blood glucose levels. This modern research closely parallels cinnamon’s longstanding traditional association with digestion and metabolic balance.
In Ayurveda, cinnamon has traditionally been used to support digestion, gastrointestinal comfort, circulation, and the utilization of other botanicals. It has also been included in herbal preparations intended to enhance the overall activity and assimilation of complementary ingredients.
Cinnamon is also increasingly studied in connection with the gut microbiome. Its naturally occurring plant compounds and fibers may help support beneficial intestinal bacteria, giving cinnamon potential prebiotic activity alongside its antioxidant properties.
Research has additionally explored cinnamon in relation to cardiovascular health, circulation, metabolic wellness, and healthy aging, making it a particularly interesting example of a traditional botanical that continues to receive substantial modern scientific attention.
The combination of its long traditional history, rich polyphenol profile, antioxidant activity, and extensive research into glucose metabolism, digestion, cardiovascular health, and the microbiome makes cinnamon an important component of the Vanilla version of IQed Smart Nutrition.
Cayenne [Capsicum annuum]
Used in the Chocolate version of IQed Smart Nutrition™
Cayenne pepper has been used as both a food and traditional botanical for thousands of years. It is naturally rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, and has long been valued in traditional health practices for supporting digestion, circulation, and metabolic activity.
One of cayenne’s best-known naturally occurring compounds is capsaicin, the phytonutrient responsible for its characteristic heat. Capsaicin has been widely studied for its effects on circulation, thermogenesis, energy expenditure, and metabolic function.
Cayenne also has a longstanding connection with digestive health. Traditional use has focused on supporting digestion, assimilation, and elimination, while modern research has examined its influence on digestive secretions, gastric function, and blood flow within the gastrointestinal tract.
Research has also explored cayenne and capsaicin in relation to healthy inflammatory response, antioxidant activity, cardiovascular function, and glucose metabolism. Its ability to influence circulation and thermogenesis is one reason cayenne continues to attract interest in metabolic and cardiovascular research.
Cayenne naturally provides compounds associated with vitamin A activity, vitamin C, potassium, and other plant nutrients, adding to its nutritional value beyond its distinctive flavor.
Traditional herbal practices have also used cayenne alongside other botanicals, based on the belief that it can help support circulation and the assimilation of complementary ingredients.
The combination of its ancient history, capsaicin content, antioxidant activity, and modern research into digestion, circulation, thermogenesis, and metabolic health makes cayenne an important component of the Chocolate version of IQed Smart Nutrition.
Learn More About Ayurveda
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LISA GENG
Founder & Creator of IQed Smart Nutrition
Lisa Geng is an inventor, author, nonprofit founder, and creator of IQed Smart Nutrition, a patented complete meal and vitamin replacement developed from her decades of work in children’s health, nutrition, research, and advocacy.
Her career began in the fashion, toy, and film industries as a designer and patented inventor. After both of her young sons were identified as “late talkers,” her focus shifted to children’s communication disorders, nutrition, nonprofit advocacy, and research.
Lisa is the founder and president of the CHERAB Foundation, a nonprofit organization established to support children with communication and developmental challenges. She is also co-author of the acclaimed book The Late Talker (St. Martin’s Press), which helped bring national attention to late talking, childhood apraxia of speech, and the importance of early identification and intervention.
Her work ultimately led to the development of IQed Smart Nutrition, combining complete nutrition with a carefully selected blend of Ayurvedic botanicals, including turmeric. IQed is supported by multiple U.S. patents and published peer-reviewed research, with consumer-reported findings involving areas including speech and communication, motor skills, receptive ability, focus, mood, and social development.
Lisa has served as a parent advocate on an American Academy of Neurology panel since 2015, bringing the perspective of families and patient advocates into discussions surrounding neurological health and research.
Today, she continues to lead the development of IQed, the work of the CHERAB Foundation, and efforts to expand scientific research into nutrition, neurological development, healthy aging, and the potential applications of the patented IQed combination.
Lisa lives on Florida’s Treasure Coast.
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