The herbs control the maintenance of life. These herbs are not medicines so the taking of

these herbs in larger amounts or over a long period of time is not harmful.

Herbalism is still the most sophisticated and effective herbal system in the world. It differs

from other herbal systems in emphasizing the promotion of health rather than the elimination

of disease. Of the several thousand herbs used in the herbal system, there is an elite group of

about sixty herbs known as the "tonic herbs," also known as the "superior herbs." The most

famous and important herbs associated with Asian herbalism all fall into this "tonic" ("superior

herb") category.

The tonic herbs are defined as "herbs that promote a long, healthy, vibrant, happy life,

without side effects, even when taken over a long period of time."  Essentially, the tonic herbs

are wonderful They have a protective, balancing, vitalizing quality beyond that of any other

herbs. They are generally consumed as a supplement to a well balanced healthy diet for the

purpose of completing our nutritional needs and enhancing our nutritional profile.

These Superior Herbs are not considered to be "medicinal" in the usual sense of the word.

They are not used to treat or even prevent specific diseases or disorders. The tonics are used

to promote over-all well being, to enhance the body's energy, and to regulate the bodily and

psychic functioning, to protect the body and mind.

In the Orient, all philosophy, art and science are traditionally based on the fundamental

realization that all things, and all processes, are interconnected. Oriental wise men and

women long ago recognized the interconnectedness of the various parts of the body. The

human body, mind and spirit are experienced as one complete whole, within themselves, with

the environment and with the universe.

The notion of the unity of the body and psyche is fundamental to the Oriental health arts.

Changes in one's physical condition will result in changes in one's thinking and in one's

intuitive and emotional processes. The mind likewise directly and indirectly influences gross

and subtle changes in one's physical nature and in the actions we take. Virtually all aspects of

health are rooted in the harmonious integration of the body and the psyche.

The Oriental health maintenance and health promotion arts, such as tonic herbalism, take

full advantage of this oneness of body and psyche to help each person to grow to as full a

state of health, well being, and spiritual awareness as the person is ready to achieve. The

tonic herbs are used to bring about changes in one's physical condition; and simultaneously,

they are routinely used to influence the conscious and subconscious mind, the emotions, and

the human spirit.

No form of health care is complete unless it recognizes and utilizes this principle of the unity

of physical and psychic energy.

The goal of tonic Herbalism is to help the user of the tonic herbs to establish a harmony of

body, mind and spirit which can result in a new level of well being, a new level of health and

happiness that forms the foundation for a creative, successful life, as well as for true spiritual

discovery, growth, and possibly, eventual mastery and enlightenment.

The tonic herbs increase your ability to handle stress and to adapt to all the changes taking

place around you

We human beings are intimately interconnected with our environment. Any change in the

environment influences us both physically and psychically. How we handle such changes, how

we adapt to the changes in our environment and to the stresses of life, will be the determining

factor in our health and well being. Conversely, as we change, the environment around us will

be influenced and will reflect our changes. The greatness of Oriental natural philosophy lies, to

a great degree, in its subtlety and breadth of vision with regard to the connection between the

human being and their environment. The tonic herbalist recognizes such environmental

influences as the change of seasons, wind, heat, cold, dryness, moisture, and so on, as

fundamental causative factors in one's health as well as one's dis ease.

A person's ability to adapt to the ever changing variables of life determines that person's

health, well being and happiness. Adaptability requires energy. The greater the stresses of life

and the more dynamic the changes in one's life, the greater the requirement for adaptive

energy. The major purpose of using tonic herbs is to aid the body mind in its adaptive needs.

The greatness of the tonic herbs lies in their adaptogenic quality; that is, the ability to

enhance the body mind's capacity to adapt optimally, accurately and with endurance to

changes in the environment, and thus to overcome the stresses of life.

By replenishing the energy of the cells, tissues and systems that regulate our adaptability,

we find ourselves capable of experiencing life at its fullest. We find ourselves with increased

physical, mental and emotional endurance. We find ourselves easily handling stresses that

would exhaust others. We find ourselves to be resilient on every level. This adaptability allows

us to lead a rich, broad, adventurous life.

- Health is dependent upon the maintenance of the correct balance between forces in the

body and psyche. It is believed possible, through the regular consumption of tonic herbs, to

help the body mind maintain its self regulatory capacity, assuring optimum functioning and."

This is the very basis of tonic herbalism.