Tonic Herbs 101: Why do we take them?
Tonic herbs are an elite class of foods that have been consumed for centuries (mostly in the East) to promote optimal health and increase human performance.
Our definition of the term “tonic” generally refers to the world’s superfoods that are extremely rich in complex nutrients that are beneficial for maintaining the health of the human body.
These highly nutrient dense plant and animal-based substances are extremely safe and gentle foods that are intended to be consumed regularly over long periods of time to support, build up, protect, and regulate the many important biological processes in the human body.
Historically, throughout the East and West, tonic herbs were intended to prevent sickness, disease, and protect the human body from aging. They do not work to target or cure any specific diseases like other medicinal herbs and pharmaceuticals do, but rather, they work to optimize the body and mind so we can avoid sickness, promote longevity, and accelerate human potential and growth.
The world is changing drastically
Today, due to massive soil degradation and modern agricultural practices over the past 100 years, the quality of our soils and its inherent mineral content has been significantly reduced or, in some instances, become completely eliminated.
Many doctors and nutritionists across the globe suspect that mineral deficiencies are the root cause of many prevalent diseases in our culture today.
We used to assimilate these life-sustaining minerals from the foods we ate, but as a result of this depletion, a high percentage of the population has become mineral deficient. This is drastically different to what our great-grandparents once knew.
Even organically farmed foods today have lost their vital nutrition.
As a result, it is becoming increasingly important to include foods in our diet that contain high mineral and nutrient density (or mineral supplementation). That’s why wild superfoods and tonic herbs are so valuable for human health in our culture today.
Combat stress with “adaptogenic" foods.
Tonic herbs work to realign our bodies and create homeostasis so we can live, work, and play at our best, at all times.
They are referred to as “adaptogens” which means they help the body adapt to stress, support normal metabolic processes, and restore balance. Adaptogens like Ashwagandha increase the body’s resistance to physical, biological, emotional, and environmental stressors, and promote normal physiologic function. Adaptogenic herbs have been found to balance the body’s energies, support hormones, modulate the immune system and allow the body to maintain optimal health.
Our modern lives are all very busy and filled with a myriad of stress factors that can negatively affect our energy levels, mental focus, and performance. We constantly need to be replenishing the energy we expend on a daily basis to avoid becoming out of balance, burnt out, sleep deprived, and sick.
It seems that busy is the new normal? An excerpt from this Mind Body Green article perfectly sums up our busy modern lives:
Given that we are living in the age of social media, our culture has become obsessed with status and competition. Busy can be part of that: it's a defense mechanism, a go-to "status symbol" to indicate your importance. By being busy all the time, we are trying to demonstrate to ourselves that we have full and worthy lives, that we are needed and wanted.
By constantly telling ourselves and others about how much we have to do, it can create the feeling of low self-confidence and self-worth. How? Essentially, we create a mismatch between what we expect of ourselves and what we really get done. We believe that if we are not always doing and achieving that, we are not enough. If we're not busy, we may start to feel vulnerable, like nobody wants us, like we are unimportant, like we are unproductive or unworthy.
"Busy" is a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more you say it, the more you believe it, the more you feel the stress and other negative emotions associated with a constant state of busy-ness.
Today’s modern stressors:
Overwork, lack of sleep, substance abuse, and too much sex (yes, there is such a thing) among other things, all contribute to chronic stress and accelerated aging.
These modern-day stressors can result in weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, lower back pain, loss of vitality and sex drive.
They weaken the immune system, promote sickness, and lower our ability to focus, concentrate, and handle stressful circumstances. These modern-day stressors deplete our energy levels, drain our battery pack, and throw our whole bodily system out of whack. When the body and mind become disconnected, sickness manifests and disease is allowed to grow.
If we want to lead a long and healthy life, it’s very important to learn healthy stress reduction practices to maintain balance and optimal health.
We can use the profound benefits that tonic herbs provide as tools to combat and eliminate our daily stresses, stay grounded, support our brain and mental processes, and improve the intelligence of our immune system.
By incorporating tonic herbs into our lives regularly for a period of time, we notice positive changes.
A whole host of functions tends to improve. We feel better and stronger, we become more capable in every aspect of our lives: at work, at home, at play, and in bed.
Tonic herbs are "human potential potentiators". They open us up to more love and help us achieve more out of what we want in life. They are nature’s most powerful adaptogens, restoratives, augmenters, and cleansers.
They help slow aging, reduce stress, sharpen the mind, improve sex drive, build blood, and strengthen bones. These ancient foods cleanse the liver, recharge the adrenals, boost immunity, improve sleep, and provide unbelievable energy and focus.
Why Do We Take Tonic Herbs?
To sum it all up, what is the point of taking tonic herbs? Essentially, to be happy and healthy all of the time and never get sick!
That is the main driving force. Imagine if you could function at 110% all of the time and never get sick?
Imagine how you would feel and how your life would change? Firstly, you would be far more productive in your work, you’d have increased energy and countless more hours to spend with your family and friends. Imagine rising up in the morning feeling energized, with more clarity, brain power, and less stress.
Does that sound like the kind of life you’d like to live?
It’s a positive vision and worthy goal to aspire to, and it’s absolutely possible! All it takes is a shift in your habits and adopting the lifestyle choice of including tonic herbs into your daily life. And it’s so easy!
The ancient wisdom and profound benefits that tonic herbs such as Reishi mushroom, He Shou Wu, Astragalus herb, Cordyceps mushroom, and Schizandra berry all provide us with, is one of nature’s greatest gifts.
These tonic herbs allow us to thrive in the world full of energy, strength, and a resilience that will never strike us down. They are also the best liver support herbs. We look and feel more beautiful and confident than ever before. They increase our happiness, enhance our sense of well-being, and ensure that we will all age with ease and grace. That has been my experience and I know it can be yours too.
Tonic herbs are safe, delicious, fun and simple to use. They can easily be added to your coffee, tea, smoothies, and your favourite food and dessert recipes.
Be happy, be well, be fulfilled. Live the life that you dream.
References
- Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief by David Winston and Steven Maimes
- The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs by Ron Teeguarden
