L3 Herbal Actions: Tonics

Question 1

Tonics

What are Tonics in the WHM sense ?

Answer 1

Bitter tonics

Question 2

Tonic: Bitter tonic

How do (bitter) tonics work?

Answer 2

• Improving digestive function
• Flow of nutrition to the tissues

Question 3

Tonic: Bitter tonic

What effect does a higher doseage of some tonic herbs* have?

Berberis vulgaris
Hydrastis canandensis
Centaurium erythraea

Answer 3

Alterative

Question 4

Tonic: Bitter tonic

Barberry root bark

Bark of the root is used

Cholagogue
GastroIntestinal antiseptic (balances gut flora)
Immunomodulator
Berberine - helps with insulin resistance and re-energises the Beta cells in pancreas

Answer 4

Berberis vulgaris

Question 5

Tonic: Bitter tonic

Centaury herb

Tones stomach
Tightens gastroesophageal sphincter

Answer 5

Centaurium erythraea

Question 6

Tonic: Bitter tonic

Myrrh resin

Antiseptic, antimicrobial
Helps seal leaky gut

Answer 6

Commiphora molmol

Question 7

Tonic: Bitter tonic

Gentian root

Can be detected at 1 part in 50,000

Answer 7

Gentiana lutea

Question 8

Tonic: Bitter tonic

Goldenseal root

Answer 8

Hydrastis canaDENsis

Question 9

Tonic: General tonic

What modern term are general tonics also known by ?

Answer 9

Adaptogens

Question 10

Tonic: General tonic

Where were early studies done on adaptogens?

Answer 10

Russia

Question 11

Tonic: General tonic

What are the three conditions that class a plant as an adaptogen ?

Answer 11

1. Have a non-specific effect*, such as increasing bodily resistance.
2. Have a normalising influence on a pathogenic state, independent of the nature of that state.
3. Be innocuous and not disturb body function at a normal level.

*cosmotropic - effects whole system

Question 12

Tonic: General tonic

Astragalus
Milk vetch root

Important in TCM (Wei Qi tonic)
Affinity for the chest (esp immune issues)
One of the most generally applicable adaptogens
Deep level immune tonic (bone marrow level)

Answer 12

Astragalus membranaceous

Question 13

Tonic: General tonic

Wild oat seed
(Milky oats)

Also nervine (axyoltyic) and for addictions

Answer 13

Avena sativa

Question 14

Tonic: General tonic

Siberian ginseng
(Eleuthero)

Deep level immune tonic (bone marrow level)

Answer 14

Eleutherococcus senticosus

Question 15

Tonic: General tonic

Liquorice

Contains saponins which can be the precursors for adrenal hormones (but in moderation)

Answer 15

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Question 16

Tonic: General tonic

Gotu Kola

Regenerates micro-vasculature (useful for neuropathy)

Answer 16

Centella asiatica

Question 17

Tonic: General tonic

Ginseng root

Answer 17

Panax ginseng
* Tonic: General tonic
* Known in TCM as herb for ‘old men’
* Yang tonic
* Sexual tonic

Question 18

Tonic: General tonic

Nettle leaf and seed

Answer 18

Urtica dioica
* Tonic: General tonic
* Included because it matches the three conditions!
* Great mineral nutritive
* Nettle seed been seen to be effective in kidney function regeneration.

Question 19

Tonic: General tonic

Ashwagandha root

Also good remedy for children (settling, teething, failure to thrive)

Answer 19

Withania somnifera

Question 20

What other action can most adaptogens have ?

Many contain hetero polysacchrides in their roots

Answer 20

Nutritive

Question 21

List herbs with general tonic/adaptogenic actions (8)

Answer 21

Ashwagandha
Nettle
Ginseng
Gotu kola
Licorice
Siberian ginseng
Wild oat seed
Astragalus

Question 22

List herbs with Bitter tonic actions (5)

Answer 22

Gentian
Goldenseal
Centaury
Barberry root bark
Myrrh resin