“Normalizers” vs. “Effectors” Not ginseng Tonics- the secret of every herbal system Either gender Usually start at puberty Slow acting Taken lifelong After puberty- 2 capsules per day Usually gender specific Tienchi root Tonics (adaptogens)- definition Ginseng relative Food-like, low dose Circulation, bleeding Low toxicity Other Slow action Ayurveda: Broad action for every system Ashwaganda root- main for men Increase stamina, immune function Shatavari root- main for women Push/ pull action (normalizers) Aloe vera- women’s rejuvenation Major Tonics Fenugreek seed- phytohormones Caution with temperature action if skin Sarsaparilla root- sex function condition Gokshura fruit (seed pod)- aphrodisiac Triphala (amla, bibitaki, haritaki) Western: Universal tonic of Ayurveda Saw palmetto berry- general debility, especially Skin specific (eyes, liver, hormones) thyroid Prickly ash bark- adrenals Safe for children 2 capsules per day Chinese: Amla fruit Ho shou wu root (“fo-ti”)- especially thyroid One of the strongest rejuvenatives Schisandra berry- especially women, lung Highest in vitamin C Astragalus root- minor tonic, immune Anti-inflammatory (hemorrhoids, gastritis, Bai zhi root- circulation to head (migraine) colitis) Licorice root (Chinese, European)- universal medicine Eye, premature gray hair Rehmannia root (cooked), Chinese foxglove root)- Acute- up to 15 capsules per day blood, kidney, moisture- warming, tonic for female Lifetime- 2 capsules per day reproductive organs Onion, garlic, ginger Red dates- sex hormones “Trinity roots” Red date seeds (Zizyphus)- sleep Immune function Cinnamon- circulation, digestion Sexual function (garlic aphrodisiac) Poria fungus- very mild general tonic Ginseng root Bupleurum root- cold-stomach, intestines, liver blood Classic adaptogen circulation, lungs, benefits legs in general- PMS Types, uses Baical scullcap root- bladder, lungs, liver- cooling Learning, memory, cognitive decline, nerve Cordyceps fungus- stamina (athletes) disease Tonic Foods Men- after 35, 2 capsules per day Rice, wheat, oats Dong quai root Ghee Dates Most used herb in world Honey Main tonic for women Mung beans Women- after puberty, 2 capsules per day Flax seed Gotu kola leaf Books Intellect, meditation Herbal Defense, Landis and Khalsa Superior for nervous system Chinese Tonic Herbs, Ron Teeguarden Circulation, especially blood vessels of skin, The Way of Chinese Herbs, Michael Tierra mucous membranes Ayurvedic Healing, David Frawley Major skin healer The Yoga of Herbs, Lad and Frawley Acute: max as tea or capsules Lifetime: 2 capsules per day