Botanical and herbal tonics

Herbal and botanical tonics have excellent natural healing capabilities along with a healthy diet that includes fresh air, sunlight, moonlight, and exercise (physical, mental, and spiritual) in no particular order. Toners made from medicinal plants, roots, herbs and vegetables do their job gently and thoroughly, sometimes not as fast as one would like; however, no one can rush Mother Nature and all her glorious processes.

Botany is a field of biology and the scientific study of plants. Evolution by natural selection is the foundation of botany along with growth, development, structures and functions (enzymatic mechanisms and metabolic pathways) based on the fundamental principles of chemistry and physics. Plant physical and material bodies consist of the following compounds (i.e., phytochemicals and phytomedicinals):

Carbohydrates

Protein

Lipids

Minerals

Water

Enzymes

Plants and herbs possess significant medicinal potency and have been used as traditional or indigenous staples, medicinal substances, and medicinal ingredients. Both are still used in natural healing remedies, aromatherapy and flower essences (including aetheroleum and balsamum, essential oil extracts, frankincense and resins), elixirs and restorative drinks (hot or cold teas, juices, syrups, hot or cold soups, tinctures , etc.). tonics and potions), dietary and nutritional supplements, balms, hot and cold compresses, culinary flavorings and spices, dyes, inks and ceremonial rituals. For example, licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis-ie, Chinese licorice), peppermint (Mentha piperita), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum, synonym C. zeylanicum), bitter melon (Momordica charantia, balsampear), bitter orange) (Citrus aurrus) aurrus) and spearmint (Mentha viridis, Mentha spicata) are generally very palatable and can mask the taste of many unpleasant herbal toner recipes and healing remedies.

Herbal tonics have been used for thousands of years since the time of the Ancient Egyptian physician Imhotep and have made great contributions to the health and well-being of many people around the world from a holistic framework. Mead was the very energetic “tonic” of Ancient Egypt consisting of fermented honey, water and yeast. The ancient Egyptian Ebers papyrus (around 1550 BC) offers information on the use of medicinal herbs including caraway, cumin, fennel, myrrh, and peppermint. The Smith Papyrus (about 1600 BC) and the Brugsch Papyrus (about 1300 BC) were also extensive Ancient Egyptian medical documents related to the Ebers papyrus.

Vitamin and mineral tonics can vary in strength and ingredients. There are drinkable tonics for almost every ailment and condition known to mankind; for example, Goji Berry or Wolfberry (juices, teas and tonics), vitamin B tonics, iron fortified tonics, toning wines, mangosteen juice (Garcinia mangostana) and more. Search the internet and you will find a host of recipes and herbal tonic remedies based on early folk or eclectic medicine.

Botanical, herbal or spirit vinegars can also be included in the category of natural healing solutions. Some of the more common botanical vinegars are aromatic vinegars made with fragrant lavender flowers, lily, rosemary, bergamot, neroli, apple cider, balsam tincture, or tincture of benzoin (similar to friar’s balm, compound benzoin tincture, or tincture composed of Benzoin) and other aromatic flowers; Balsamic vinegar (for minor cuts, bruises, and pain relief); Four Thieves Vinegar (also known as “Four Thieves Wine” – The form of this vinegar dates back to roughly the 15th century in southern France and was used to protect against the bubonic plague; today, doctors and practitioners of Hoodoo Root use it to protect against psychic attacks). ; and rose vinegar (to use as an astringent facial cleanser).

Botanical and herbal tonic formulas can be found from Traditional African Medicine, Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). These formulas can range from very simplistic combinations to complex in terms of their ingredients. Herbal tonics can be bitter in nature called “Bitter Toners” for use in stimulating appetite (and saliva flow) while improving digestion. Chamomile, Columbo Root (Calumba or Colomba), Quassia, and Peruvian Bark are good examples of Bitter Tonic herbs. Herbal tonics certainly include infusions or teas (i.e. pouring boiling water over herbs, leaves or flowers and then letting it steep for a short period of time before drinking) and decoctions (i.e. a process of boiling roots, barks, wood chips, stems, rhizomes and seeds).

Traditionally and historically, most herbal tonics have specific medicinal properties, functions and uses, and some are especially for seasonal use. Not all herbal teas or tonics are for daily use. For example, lemongrass, mint julep, and lemon verbena teas are perfect for a warm summer afternoon. Use only the best quality superior herbs (containing no sulfur, chlorine, and aluminum phosphate) for your concentrated toning extracts for their potency and effectiveness.

“Where a cure can be obtained through diet, do not use drugs and avoid complex remedies where simple ones will suffice.” Dr. Ar-Razi wrote this about 1,000 years ago as a means of practicing alternative medicine derived from Hippocrates (c. 460 BC-377 BC), who coined the following statements:

“Let your food be your medicine.”

“First, don’t hurt.”

From the letters of Lucius Annaeus Seneca (c. 4 BC-AD 65) from a Stoic:

“Have you surely observed how a person’s limbs crawl and his feet are entertained if his spirit is weak? And how the lack of moral fiber shows itself in his own walk if his spirit is addicted to the soft life? And how if his spirit is alive and bold, his step is fast? “

Dr. Ar-Razi understood this and based his holistic practice of medicine on balancing the mental, emotional and physical processes and functions of the body, where the balance of these is essential for good health. This is similar to being in homeostasis or the balance of the mind (mental), the body (physiological) and the soul (spiritual). The ailments, diseases and dysfunctions of the human body and within it disturb this balance or equilibrium of one’s Yin-Yang, Qi, Chi, Ka and Aura. Herbal and botanical tonic preparations possess natural healing phytochemicals that can achieve balance within the human body.

And remember: there is no substitute for the careful use, safe handling, and application of botanicals, herbs, and herbal preparations in any form.