Tonic herbs (one of the three classes of herbs) are a natural means of achieving “radiant health”—defined in Asian culture as “health beyond danger”. The tonic herbs possess an ability to strengthen essential functions, invigorate vital organs, and improve muscle and tissue tone, and all without side effects even when taken over the long term. They are, succinctly put, powerful and nourishing “super foods”.

 

The other two classes of herbs “general” and “inferior”—used in Traditional Chinese Medicine respectively to prevent specific diseases, provide first course of action when illness strikes, and are medicinal in nature (to treat full blown illness) should be used only in the short term and are not going to be discussed in this article.

 

The category of Oriental medicine known as ‘tonic herbalism’ uses the most highly prized plants in the entire Chinese pharmacopoeia. Tonic herbs (synonymous with ‘Superior’ herbs) are an elite group of herbs in the Asian herbal system where only a small group of herbs meet the stringent criteria necessary to be distinguished as a superior/tonic herb.

 

In Chinese Tonic Herbalism, an herb is officially recognized as a superior/tonic herb, only once it has been found—over many centuries—to meet six specific criteria.

1.         It must possess anti-aging properties.

2.         It must have broad and profound health-promoting actions that result in a radiantly healthy life.

3.         It must balance emotional and psychic energy—improving a state of spiritual and emotional well-being and happiness.

4.         It must have no negative side effects when taken continuously over a long period. The emphasis on safety is in strict accordance with the First Law of Chinese Herbalism “Do No Harm”.

5.         It must taste good enough for easy consumption and be easily digestible. In the Orient, the tonic herbs are a major food group used daily in the preparation of meals and teas.

6.         It must contain at least one of the Three Treasures in such abundance as to contribute to the building and maintenance of one or more of the Treasures.

 

Chinese tonic herbs promote health, protect the body from disease, slow the aging process, make one look and feel younger, encourage creativity, and promote wisdom. This might seem like a lot for an herb to accomplish. Well, maybe for a typical herbal plant but not for tonic herbs, which are after all, superior. Some tonics even boast “double-direction” activity. This means, for example, if you were to take a tonic herb for low blood pressure or high blood pressure, it would self regulate in your body for your specific need and situation. It actually targets in the ‘direction’ needed. This ability is yet another quality that distinguishes tonics from either medicinal herbs or traditional pharmaceuticals. Double-direction tonic herbs can regulate body functions. They establish and maintain homeostasis—healthy body balance.

 

Superior herbs are labeled such because of their intriguing philosophy (to attain the oneness of body and mind to the achievement of a full state of health, well-being, and spiritual awareness) as well as, the system by which the herbs are ‘quality graded’. These factors distinguish Chinese tonic herbalism from any other type of herbal use or practice. Moreover, while tagged “Chinese” tonic herbalism, the tonic herbs themselves actually come from sources all over the planet including China, the United States of America, Tibet, Korea, Russia, Europe, and South America; they are used throughout the Orient.

 

The main objective of tonic herbalism is to help the user establish harmony of body, mind and spirit resulting in a new level of well-being, health, and happiness that forms a strong foundation for a creative, successful, full, and long life.

 

The practice of Tonic herbalism and Eastern medicine philosophy in general, appreciates the secrets of keeping one’s own body in a healthy state. The tonics intent is for use and consumption by healthy or relatively healthy persons seeking a tried-and-true means of staying in good physical form by preventing disease, boosting vitality, and prolonging and sustaining a quality life—all attributes that give a persons own body the tools needed to ward-off disease before it strikes. This philosophy is in direct opposition to allopathic Western medicine, which does not yet recognize the tonic herbs as a legitimate class of natural medicine. Traditional medicine gears itself toward synthetic drugs that treat diseases already in development rather than taking the position of disease prevention.

 

Chinese tonic herbs are adaptogenic—that is, they possess the ability to enhance the body-mind capacity to adapt optimally to environmental changes and challenges resulting in overcoming the stresses of life. They replenish energy in cells, tissues, and body systems that regulate our adaptability thus, allowing us to be strong and experience life to its fullest. That is the goal we are all striving for and it is attainable—the goal of radiant health.

 

The first stop on the road to radiant health is discussing the Three Treasures that are ‘fed’ with tonic/superior herbs. The Three Treasures philosophy includes Jing, the First Treasure; Qi (pronounced chee), the Second Treasure; and Shen, the Third Treasure.

 

The Three Treasures are the basis for the philosophy of mind-body-spirit connectivity. In other words, you cannot treat one without treating the others as they rely on one another in order for the entire body to function properly and at peak performance. This is another difference between Eastern and Western medicine philosophies—Western medicine treats symptoms and faulty “parts” of a whole person, while Eastern medicine treats a “whole” person with the goal of keeping all "the parts" integral and free of disease. A simple analogy to understanding the Three Treasures concept is to think of life as being like a candle. All parts work together to attain the ultimate goal, “light”. Chinese tonic herbs replenish Jing and Qi in order to stabilize our emotional body so that Shen may fully develop allowing the realization of ultimate oneness.

 

The First Treasure, “Jing”, is representative of the body of the candle, the wax and the wick. Jing is the Essence of a person. It includes their genetic makeup, long-term energy and their life reserves. “Essence” is responsible for regeneration, longevity, youthfulness, mental energy, courage, the reproductive system, the immune system, the skeletal system and renal (kidney) functions.

 

The Second Treasure, “Qi” (chee), represents the ‘flame’ of the candle. It is the “activity” of the candle, the “Energy”. Qi is the Energy of a person. It is comprised of vitality, breathing, eating, resistance to disease, the ability to cope with stress, and daily health maintenance.

 

The Third Treasure, Shen, is representative of the ‘light’ given off by the candle (the ultimate purpose). It represents the inner light or “Spirit” of a person. It is comprised of consciousness, awareness, your calm and peace, strength of mind, intelligence, happiness, and your ability to be “centered”—health and happiness within all parts of your ‘self’.

 

The tonic/superior herbs, through regular use, hold the ability to facilitate the body-mind-spirit union maintain a self-regulatory capacity—assuring optimum system functioning and attainment of the ultimate goal we call “radiant health”.

Namaste.

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