Herbal tonics

What are herbal tonics?

Superior tonics are the elite herbs of the Oriental herbal system, the most developed herbal system in the world. They are categorized as the superior class for excelling in their revitalizing properties and being safe for long-term use without side effects; for this reason, they are placed above the more than 6,000 herbs in this system. These very special natural substances deeply nourish the life force, nourish the human spirit, slow down the aging process, and protect us on all levels - physically, immunologically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. They have been associated with the highest qualities of life, radiant health, happiness, wisdom, physical vitality, adaptability, vigor, sexual energy, mental acuity and intuition, feelings of love and compassion, and a harmonious relationship with nature and other human beings. Pharmacopeia of the Divine Farmer

The following excerpt from Shennong's Divine Farmer's Pharmacopeia describes the highest level of herbs, the Superior Class.
 
The superior class of herbs consists of 120 herbs. They are the rulers. They control the maintenance of life and correspond to heaven. These herbs are not medicines, so taking these herbs in large quantities or over a long period of time is not harmful. If one wishes to shed the material weight of the body, supplement the energies and nutrients circulating in the body, and prolong the years of life without aging, a person should base their efforts on the herbs of the Superior Class.

 

Essentially, tonic herbs are wonderful "superfoods" that benefit our well-being in ways that most common foods cannot. They possess a protective, balancing, and vitalizing quality beyond any other herb. They are generally consumed as a supplement to a healthy and balanced diet in order to fulfill our nutritional needs and improve our nutritional profile. Chinese tonic herbalism is derived from the great Daoist (Taoist) tradition of China. Daoism is Asia's fundamental philosophy of balance and living in harmony with Nature. The Taoist tradition of achieving health emphasizes that superior herbs are in many ways nutritionally superior to the most commonly eaten foods. In fact, millions of people over thousands of years have found this to be true.

Only herbs that meet specific qualifications are classified as tonic herbs. For an herb to be recognized as a superior (tonic) herb, that herb must have been found over centuries of human use to meet six specific requirements:

• It must have anti-aging properties and must assist in obtaining a long and full life.
• It must have broad and deep health-promoting qualities that result in a radiant life.
• It must help balance our psychic and emotional energy to help improve the state of spiritual and emotional well-being and happiness.
• They must not have negative side effects when used reasonably and, therefore, can be taken continuously over a long period of time if desired, providing cumulative long-term benefits. This emphasis on safety is in accordance with the first law of Chinese herbalism --- "Do no harm."
• It must taste good enough to be consumed easily and must be easily digestible and assimilable. Most herbs in the tonic category have a good flavor.
• It must contain at least one of the three treasures in such abundance that it can contribute to the building and maintenance of that treasure in the one who consumes it. Some tonic herbs contain only one of the treasures, some contain two, and some contain all three, in varying amounts and with varying power.

In scientific terms, they are called adaptogens, and they are substances highly charged with antioxidants and other phytonutrients capable of regulating our system and substantially improving the general functioning of the body, including detoxifying processes, immune system regulation, protection against DNA damage, among other specific actions in favor of a healthy system.

Tonic herbs increase your ability to handle stress and adapt to all the changes happening around you

We humans are intimately interconnected with our environment. Any change in the environment influences us physically and psychically. The way we handle such changes, the way we adapt to changes in our environment and to the stresses of life, will be the determining factor in our health and well-being. Conversely, as we change, the environment around us will be influenced and will reflect our changes. The greatness of Eastern natural philosophy lies, to a large extent, in its subtlety and breadth of vision regarding the connection between the human being and their environment. Tonic herbalism recognizes such environmental influences as the change of seasons, wind, heat, cold, dryness, dampness, etc., as fundamental causal factors in health, as well as in disease itself.
 
A person's ability to adapt to the ever-changing variables of life determines that person's health, well-being, and happiness. Adaptability requires energy. The greater the stresses of life and the more dynamic the changes in life, the greater the need for adaptive energy. The very purpose of using Chinese tonic herbs is to assist the mind/body in its adaptive needs. The greatness of Chinese tonic herbs lies in their adaptogenic quality; that is, the ability to improve the mind/body's capacity to adapt optimally, precisely, and with resilience to changes in the environment, and thus overcome the stresses of life.
 
By replenishing the energy of the cells, tissues, and systems that regulate our adaptability, we find ourselves able to experience life to the fullest. We find ourselves with greater physical, mental, and emotional resistance. We find ourselves easily handling stresses that would drain others. We find ourselves to be resilient on all levels. This adaptability allows us to lead a rich, broad, and adventurous life.

 

Why consume herbal tonics?

The attitude and philosophy of Asian cultures surrounding health and its preservation is what led them to create this knowledge and system, which is certainly focused on the promotion of health rather than directly remedying disease. This preventive and vitality-promoting approach is what makes tonics stand out as a pro-health supplement.

Their main function—not being strictly medicinal—is that they nourish and regulate multiple bodily functions to restore internal balance and increase adaptability and life force in order to develop our body's genetic potential and reach optimal health, what in the East is called "radiant health."

Radiant health is defined in China as "health beyond danger." Radiant health depends on a person's ability to adapt appropriately and effectively to all the stresses one encounters in the course of their life. It is said that tonic herbs provide "adaptive energy" that helps us handle stress much more easily. It is possible to develop a very high degree of adaptability to the many challenges we face and to the changes that constantly occur in our lives. By successfully overcoming stressful circumstances, we grow as human beings and enjoy life much more fully. Superior herbs are, therefore, a primary source of true human empowerment. Tonic herbs are widely believed in the East to be transformative.

Tonic herbs are transformative

Almost every person who uses herbal tonics over a prolonged period of time will experience benefits. In some cases, the benefits may be almost instantaneous and profound, while for others the influence may be subtle at first, with cumulative effects developing over time.

In fact, one of the profound benefits of Chinese tonic herbs lies in their ability to change "vicious cycles" into "virtuous cycles." Tonics help reverse the process of a problem leading to more problems. Something good happens when you start taking these herbs. You start to feel balanced and strong on the inside. You start to have abundant energy when you need it, yet you feel relaxed and at peace. Incredibly, you become more and more adaptable so that you can do many things you could not do before. You find yourself taking on challenges that you could not have handled before, doing things that you used to avoid or that you thought you were incapable of doing.

These herbs are truly transformative; they are a great tool for holistically empowering and balancing the human being and are of great help on the path to "radiant health."