| By the same token, I think it makes more sense to rotate even the best tonic herbs. Don't get stuck in the philosophy of using one herb for everything or using one herb forever.
Chapter 8
Important Herbs from Around the World
Knowledge is one. Its division into subjects is a concession to human weakness.
—Halford John Mackinder
Ihave more than 900 books in my herbal library, and I've learned that any fact you find about an herb may be somehow useful. However, the way a writer selects, filters, and presents information sometimes reveals more about the writer than the herb. |
| Tonic herbs found in the immune group help keep the heart muscle energized. Any of the herbs from the blood-nourishing group will strengthen the heart, because the blood nourishes all the muscles, including the heart muscle.
Hawthorn is the preferred heart herb in Western herbal medicine. The leaf and flower of hawthorn are indicated specifically for treating Stage I and Stage II cardiac insufficiency, as denned by the New York Heart Association. This herb works more on reducing interior lining inflammation.
In Ayurvedic practice, the premier heart tonic is arjuna bark. |
Linda B. White, M.D.
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 Siberian ginseng and astragalus are two other tonic herbs. No known drugs have similar tonic effects.
When discussing medicinal herbs, the news media often quote skeptical doctors who warn ominously that if you fool around with herbs, you're playing with fire. With herbs, they say, it's impossible to guarantee good dose control. Dose control means knowing exactly how much of the active ingredient—the chemical that exerts the healing effect—you're getting per dose.
To a certain extent, those skeptics are right. Drugs offer a precise amount of chemical, usually measured in milligrams. |
Michael Tierra, L.Ac, O.M.D.
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 As one example, ginseng ren shen, the most well known of all tonic herbs, is regarded as useful for all deficiencies, even though it is classified according to its primary use as a qi tonic.
Yin tonics have a heavy, moist nature. They can be divided into two types, those that nourish the kidneys and liver and those that moisten the lungs and stomach. The kidneys and liver are the deepest aspects of the body, so that the deepest levels of yin deficiency always affect these organs. |
Christopher Hobbs
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 Doses
It is best to take any tonic herbs, such as medicinal mushrooms, for at least three months, up to nine months. This is a general course for any "constitutional remedy" taken for its general tonic and strengthening effects.
Take 1/2 to 1 tsp of the homemade tincture morning and evening in a little water or ginger tea as a good average dose. Also follow the suggested dosages in the sections on individual mushrooms. |
Michael Tierra, L.Ac, O.M.D.
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| Qi tonic herbs such as astragalus, the most characteristic herb for the deep immune system (wei qi), can be used to tonify all four deficiencies. Qi tonics may be used alone or in combination with qi-regulating herbs, such as saussurea (mu xiang) or citrus peel (chen pi) to aid their assimilation. |
| Most tonic herbs have a mild energy and can be cooked with rice or other cereals to make congee or can be used in various soups and stews. According to the Five Elements system, salt goes to the kidneys, so when tonifying the kidneys, it is always helpful to take the appropriate herbs with a pinch of salt. Sweet flavors go to earth spleen; thus, for spleen tonification, a small amount of honey, barley, or rice syrup or raw, unrefined sugar can serve as a carrier to the spleen stomach. |
Alan Keith Tillotson, Ph.D., A.H.G., D.Ay.
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 Properly prescribed tonic herbs such as astragalus root, ginseng root, gotu kola, shilajatu, Siberian ginseng root bark, and white atractylodes can increase the vital force and help alleviate these conditions.
The ideal nerve tonic is one that would make us smarter, happier, and more physically and biochemically efficient. The search for such medicines began in ancient times. In the Himalayan Mountains, sages, wealthy merchants, and kings coveted medicinal plants believed to bestow happiness, intelligence, and even enlightenment. |
Simon Mills and Kerry Bone
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 Herbal treatment of amenorrhoea is aimed at:
• correcting hypothalamic malfunction and the resultant hormonal imbalance using Vitex (chaste berry), Chamaelirium luteum (helonias root) and Caulophyllum (blue cohosh);
• treating the effects of depression with nervine tonics such as Hypericum (St John's wort);
• treating the effects of stress with adaptogens, nervine tonics and sedative herbs;
• treating debility with tonic herbs such as Withania and Panax ginseng. Angelica sinensis (dong quai) is specifically indicated where amenorrhoea follows menorrhagia or is associated with anaemia. |
Paul Pitchford
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 This formula of tonic herbs is often most acceptable to the debilitated person when cooked into soups or grain porridges such as rice congee. (Add herbs to the soup or porridge in the amounts that provide the standard dosage.) Following is an herbal formula to be taken as an adjunct to highly cleansing programs such as DIET C.
The root of the common herb dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) has antiviral and antifungal properties and has often proven effective in cancer. |
| For these persons, the Oriental tonic herbs and dietary principles prove effective. At the same time, the universal concept of balance is gaining widespread acceptance. After so many generations of building excess, increasing numbers of people are now attracted to dietary measures that energize yet relax, that strengthen as they support a peaceful mentality. There is no single such diet. By knowing the properties of food and the means of personal diagnosis, however, the appropriate diet can be discovered and applied in anyone's life.
In reducing excess, it is essential not to over-reduce. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 Look for products containing cordyceps combined with other Chinese tonic herbs.
Possible Benefits
Increases stamina.
Protects against free radicals.
Restores energy.
The Right Amount
Take two 525-mg. capsules daily with meals.
Coriolus Versicolor Extract (PSK)
Facts
Coriolus versicolor extract is derived from an edible mushroom popular in Asia. In Japan, coriolus versicolor extract is widely used as a government-approved, nontoxic cancer treatment called PSK, or Crestin. It is now available as a nutritional supplement in the United States. |
| Like other tonic herbs such as ginseng, suma is reputed to be an adaptogen—that is, an herb that helps enhance the body's reaction to stress, improves resistance against infection, and keeps the body running in peak condition. Japanese researchers performed comparative studies with suma and ginseng and found that the two herbs were so similar in structure and function that they dubbed suma "Brazilian ginseng. |
| Ashwagandha is one of the most highly prized of these tonic herbs. In particular, ashwagandha can relieve stress, which Ayurvedic healers have long recognized as a major cause of disease (see page 5).
Brahmi
Long before enlightened western physicians uttered the phrase "body/mind medicine," Ayurvedic healers knew that the underlying cause of many common problems—both physical and mental—is rooted in stress. As a result, many herbs that are used to treat a variety of ailments are also natural tranquilizers. Brahmi (also known as Gotu Kola) is a case in point. |
| The concept of tonic herbs is difficult to describe in western terms because we do not have anything comparable in our system of medicine. In general, tonics such as ashwagandha are believed to strengthen and fortify the body so that it is better able to withstand stressful situations. In other words, these herbs help the body to maintain its equilibrium, even during difficult times.
Today, ashwagandha is included in many combination formulas of Ayurvedic herbs to treat a variety of ills. In particular, ashwagandha is now being heavily promoted as an aphrodisiac and sex-enhancing supplement. |
Sharol Tilgner, N.D.
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 It is one of the most widely used tonic herbs in traditional Chinese medicine.
Contraindications: Fo ti may cause gastric irritation and is contraindicated with diarrhea.400
Fringe tree -Chionanthus virginicus in the Oleaceae or Olive family.
Part used: Inner bark.
Taste/Smell: Slightly bitter, astringent.
Tendencies: Drying, cooling.
Dosage: Decoction: 1 tablespoon per cup of water, decocted for 25 minutes; or 1:5 dry liquid extract: 10-30 drops 1-4 times per day in a little water. |
Simon Mills and Kerry Bone
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| Stress can exacerbate rhinitis and should be treated if it is considered to be a factor with tonic herbs, nervine tonics, sedative herbs and adaptogens as appropriate (see p.231).
• Treatment of rhinitis at a deeper level may involve the use of depuratives, e.g. Galium (cleavers), lymphatics, e.g. Phytolacca (poke root) and choleretics and hepatics.
Case history
A 30-year-old female patient with chronic persistent rhinitis. Symptoms were worse in the morning with clear nasal discharge and irritated eyes. |
J. E. Williams, O.M.D.
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 Others who are weaker need to actively cultivate balance and inner strength through qi gong, the use of tonic herbs, and a balanced lifestyle. Herbs for cultivating qi and blood are discussed in part 2.
Qi and blood are among the most important aspects of the body but are governed by a yet deeper principle of mutually dependent opposites. According to Chinese cosmology, yin and yang are the underlying universal principles that make up the structure and character of all things on this planet. Yang is the male force and is aggressive, quick-acting, fiery, and symbolized by the sun. |
the Editors of PREVENTION
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 Ginseng is one of the world's more famous tonic herbs. It's also a super long-term immune booster.
Buy either American or Asian (also called panax, Chinese, or Korean) ginseng. There are many different versions on the market, from the whole root to chewing gum, but your best bet, according to Dr. Kowalsky, is to buy capsules. Read labels to make sure the ones you buy are standardized for their ginsenoside content.
Dr. Kowalsky recommends taking ginseng standardized for 5 percent ginsenosides. "It's best to start off with low doses between meals and gradually work up," she says. |
Michael Tierra, L.Ac, O.M.D.
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| One strategy to consider before taking tonics is to follow a light vegetarian diet or take detoxifying herbs for 1 to 3 days before administering tonic herbs and formulas. Another more common method is to include smaller amounts of qi and/or blood-moving herbs, such as ligusticum (Radix ligustici chuanxiong) and citrus peel, as assistants to qi or blood tonics.
Individuals with weak digestion may find it difficult to digest tonics and may even develop symptomatic heat reactions, such as dry mouth, irritability, insomnia, abdominal bloating, indigestion, nausea, and loss of appetite. |
Simon Mills and Kerry Bone
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| Sedative and nervine tonic herbs, particularly Scutellaria lateriflora (skullcap) and Valeriana (valerian).
• Hepatorestorative and choleretic herbs to improve liver function such as Silybum (St Mary's thistle), chionanthus (fringe tree) and Schisandra.
• Mucilage-containing herbs such as Ulmus (slippery elm), especially if there is constipation.
• Gastrointestinal antiseptics to restore normal bowel flora such as Hydrastis (golden seal), propolis and citrus seed extract. IBS patients may be intolerant of garlic. |
| Valeriana, and nervine tonic herbs, e.g. Scutellaria (skullcap), are indicated if this association is evident.
Case history
A female patient aged 58 had suffered irregularly from heartburn for 10-15 years. Over the years she had learnt to avoid alcohol, smoking, wheat, yeast and rice. She was already taking slippery elm powder and had taken antacids in the past. She sought treatment because she was experiencing frequent attacks of heartburn in the past few months. She hated licorice, so it was not included in her formula. |
| In cases of infection, treatment with tonic herbs may need to be discontinued so that defensive measures can be applied. Echinacea angustifolia and E. purpurea are safe to use since, on current knowledge, they mainly enhance phagocytic activity. This can improve antigen recognition which leads to better immune responsiveness. Picrorrhiza kurroa should be used with caution as it is a potent promoter of all aspects of immune function, but it may be indicated for patients who have frequent viral infections. |
| Indications for tonics
• Convalescence
• Debilitating conditions with or without anorexia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
Cautions in the use of tonics
The use of tonic herbs may be difficult in the following circumstances.
• Very severe debility especially if associated with immune or digestive collapse.
• Renal or hepatic failure.
• Rampant cancer or strong regimes of chemotherapy.
Application
The state of digestion is the main determinant of dosage times. |
Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND
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 These tonic herbs have antioxidant properties, may help protect against heart disease and cancer, and fight stress. Take a ginseng formula as recommended on the product label.
Note: Do not use ginseng if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or hypoglycemia.
¦ Gotu kola is excellent for all circulatory disorders. It improves circulation, eases depression, fights fatigue, helps improve appetite, and also speeds the healing of all wounds. Choose a standardized extract containing 16 percent triterpenes and take 200 milligrams two to three times daily. |
the Editors of PREVENTION
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| As one of the important tonic herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine, astragalus has been extensively researched by Asian scientists. Numerous studies confirm its ability to stimulate the immune system and fight viruses. In the Chinese tradition, the dried sliced root, which looks like a tongue depressor, is simmered for several hours to make a thick, strong tea.
Cause: Warts can be caused by any one of the more than 60 types of human papillomavirus (HPV). |
Kathi Keville
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 For example, ginger can raise or lower blood pressure, depending on what needs to happen to bring an individual's blood pressure to a healthy level. And tonic herbs do more than clear up immediate, acute symptoms—they have the more general effect of renewing strength and vitality. Marshmallow, for instance, strengthens your digestive system and improves the functioning of your immune system while relieving your stomach distress. |
Larry Trivieri, Jr.
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 They are used frequently in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, often as a preventative measure. tonic herbs like ginseng are thought to build vital energy, or qi.
Herbs in Many Forms
Herbs and herbal products come in many forms and are now available not only in natural and gourmet food stores, but also grocery stores, drugstores, and mass market retail stores. Also, a number of mail-order purveyors sell herbal products, as do alternative and conventional health practitioners. |
Kenny Ausubel
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 In her report to Congress, Patricia Spain Ward summed up her perspective on the Hoxsey tonic herbs. "More recent literature leaves no doubt that Hoxsey's formula, however strangely concocted by modern scientific standards, does indeed contain many plant substances of marked therapeutic activity. In fact, orthodox scientific research has by now identified antitumor activity of one sort or another in all but three of Hoxsey's plants—and two of these three are purgatives, one of them containing the anthraquinone glycoside structure now recognized as predictive of antitumor properties. |
| He culled his own private plant database, one of the most extensive in the world (Duke retired from the USDA in 1997), and dug up even more contemporary evidence of compelling anticancer properties in the Hoxsey tonic herbs.23 Several are of special interest. Duke as well as the other researchers were particularly enthusiastic about recent discoveries concerning red clover, burdock root, and poke root.
RED CLOVER
Red clover blossoms, Trifolium pratense, which are proportionally one of the largest ingredients in the tonic, "show up in all the 'quack' remedies," Duke told me. |
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