Botanical and herbal tonics

Botanical and herbal tonics

Botanical and herbal tonics have excellent natural recovery abilities along with a healthy diet that includes fresh air, sunlight, moonlight and exercise (physical, mental and spiritual) in no particular order. Tonics made with medicinal plants, roots, herbs and vegetables work gently and thoroughly - sometimes not as quickly as you would like. Still, no one can rush to 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 basis of botany along with growth, development, structures and functions (enzymatic mechanisms and metabolic pathways), based on the basic principles of chemistry and physics. The physical and material bodies of plants are composed of the following compounds (i.e. phytochemicals and phytomedicine):

Carbohydrates

Proteins

Lipids

Minerals

Water

Enzymes

Plants and herbs have significant medicinal efficacy and have been used as traditional or indigenous staple foods, medicinal substances and medicinal ingredients. Both are still used in natural remedies, aromatherapy and flower essences (including etheroleum and balms, essential oil extracts, incense and resins), restorative elixirs and beverages (hot or cold teas, juices, syrups, hot or cold soups, tinctures). Tonics and potions), nutritional supplements, balms, hot and cold compresses, culinary flavors and spices, dyes, inks and ceremonial rituals. For example, licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, i.e. Chinese licorice), peppermint (Mentha piperita), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum, synonym C. zeylanicum), bitter melon (Momordica charantia, Balsampear), bitter orange (Citrus aant) and green Mint (Mentha viridis, Mentha spicata) are generally very pleasant in taste and can mask the taste tendency of many herbal tonic recipes and remedies.

Herbal tonics have been used for thousands of years since the time of the ancient Egyptian physician Imhotep and have contributed greatly to the health and well-being of many people around the world from a holistic framework. Mead was the spirited “tonic” of ancient Egypt, consisting of fermented honey, water and yeast. The ancient Egyptian Papyrus Ebers (c. 1550 BC) provides information on the use of medicinal herbs such as caraway, cumin, fennel, myrrh, and peppermint. The Smith Papyrus (c. 1600 BC) and the Brugsch Papyrus (c. 1300 BC) were also extensive ancient Egyptian medical documents that related to the Ebers Papyrus.

Vitamin and mineral strengths can vary in their effectiveness and ingredients. There are drinkable tonics for almost every disease and condition known to mankind; For example, Goji Berry or Wolfberry (juices, teas and tonics), vitamin B tonics, iron-fortified tonics, tonic wines, mangosteen juice (Garcinia Mangostana) and much more. Search the Internet and you will find a wealth of herbal tonic recipes and 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 most common botanical vinegars are aromatic vinegars containing fragrant lavender flowers, iris, rosemary, bergamot, neroli, apple cider, tincture of balsam, or tincture of benzoin (similar to Friar's Balsam, Compound Benzoin Tincture, or Compound Tincture 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 recipe for this vinegar dates back to the 15th century in southern France and was used to protect against the bubonic plague; today it is used by Hoodoo Root Doctors and practitioners to protect against psychic attacks.) ;; and rose vinegar (for use as an astringent face wash).

Botanical and herbal tonic formulas are used from Traditional African Medicine, Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). These formulas can range from very simple combinations to complex ingredients. Herbal tonics can be bitter in nature and are called “bitter tonics” to stimulate appetite (and salivation) while improving digestion. Chamomile, Columbo (Calumba or Colomba) root, 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 allowing them to stand briefly before drinking) and decoctions (i.e., boiling roots, bark, wood chips, stems, rhizomes, and seeds).

Traditionally and historically, most herbal tonics have specific medicinal uses, functions and properties, as well as some specifically intended for seasonal use. Not all herbal tonics or teas are intended for daily use. For example, lemongrass, mint julep, and lemon verbena teas are perfect on a warm summer afternoon. For potency and effectiveness, use only the best quality of high-quality herbs (that are free of sulfur, chlorine, and aluminum phosphate) for your concentrated tonic extracts.

“If a cure can be achieved through diet, do not use drugs and avoid complex remedies where simple ones will do.” Dr. Ar-Razi wrote this about 1,000 years ago as a means of alternative medicine practice that dates back to Hippocrates (c. 460 BC - 377 BC) and coined the following statements:

“Let your food be your medicine.”

“First, do no harm.”

From Lucius Annaeus Seneca's (ca. 4 BC - 65 AD) Letters of a Stoic:

"Surely you have observed how a man's limbs drag and his feet dawdle when his mind is weak? And how the want of moral fiber is shown in his gait when his mind is addicted to gentle living? And how when his mind is lively and dashing, his step is brisk?"

Dr. Ar-Razi understood this and based his holistic medical practice on the balance of the body's mental, emotional and physical processes and functions, the balance of these processes being essential to good health. This is similar to homeostasis or balance of mind (mental), body (physiological) and soul (spiritual). Ailments, illnesses and malfunctions of and within the human body disrupt this equilibrium or equilibrium of one's Yin-Yang, Qi, Chi, Ka and Aura. Botanical and herbal tonics have natural, healing phytochemicals that can restore balance in 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.