Tonic Herbs 101: Why do we take them?
By Peter Orpen, Co-Owner, Teelixir
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 may help support general wellbeing when consumed regularly over long periods of time.
Historically, throughout the East and West, tonic herbs have been traditionally used to support general wellbeing and vitality as part of a holistic lifestyle. They are not intended to address specific health concerns like some medicinal herbs and pharmaceuticals, but rather, they may help support the body and mind.
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 are believed to help realign our bodies and promote homeostasis.
They are referred to as “adaptogens” which means they may help the body adapt to stress and support normal metabolic processes. Adaptogens like Ashwagandha are traditionally used to promote wellbeing. Adaptogenic herbs have been found in some research to help support balance in the body.
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 defence 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 ageing.
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 tonic herbs as part of a balanced lifestyle to support general wellbeing.
By incorporating tonic herbs into our lives regularly for a period of time, some people report noticing 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.
Traditionally, these herbs are believed to help support general wellbeing, improve sleep, and provide energy.
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 are traditionally used to promote wellbeing. They are also some of the herbs sometimes used for liver support in traditional practices.
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
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare practitioner before use.
