Tonic herbs were first mentioned in Shen Nong’s Classic of Herbal Medicine around 2,000 years ago. This text was a culmination of thousands of years of traditional herbal wisdom from the many healers in ancient China. The text classifies herbs according to three distinct categories.
Superior herbs (also known as imperial herbs) - these are the herbs that can be consumed daily with benefits accumulating over time. They were used daily by the wisest and wealthiest people, including the Emperors.
Regular herbs - these are the herb that can be used to treat the ailing, these herbs should not be used for an extended period of time as there is a potential for long-term negative side effects.
Inferior herbs - These herbs are primarily considered to be toxic. Inferior herbs should only be used for a short period of time to get a powerful and fast result when treating a serious illness acutely.
Luckily, tonic herbs fall into the “superior herb” category. These are the herbs that are collectively known to be safe, gentle, well-tolerated and effective. Tonic herbs do not force the body to change, but rather work with it to adapt, allowing a measured, nourishing and normalising effect to unfold within the body and its systems.
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