The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs / by Ron Teeguarden. New York: Warner Books, Inc., 1998. ISBN 0-446-67506-7. 391 p., tables, appendices and index.
The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs is the Reader’s key to true vitality of life. “Ancient wisdom” prepares you for the particular treat that tonic herbs offer to support your health: the tonic herbs are foods that have been tested for centuries, showing substantial advantages to the body and spirit. Author Teeguarden’s book was previously published under the title Radiant Health. Imagine a circumstance where medicine is not necessary! The use of medicinal herbs prepared as tonics promises “radiant health”, the quality of life that brings success, fulfillment and happiness, along with physical health.
“…when you start taking these herbs… you start to feel balanced and strong inside.” p. xx In fact the author goes on to say, that herbal “… tonics are really foods that the body requires… without the herbs, the body is underfed.” p.3
A “tonic” is a substance that feeds and energizes both your mind and body. It supports both physical and spiritual systems, and promotes the healthiest adaptation your body can make. A tonic can be a single herb, but in many cases it is composed of more than one herb: our physical (organs and nervous systems) each need nurturing.
Teeguarden takes care to emphasize how the advantages of tonic herbs develop from their place within the hierarchy of herbal remedies. “Supertonic herbs” as he calls them, are known by a series of six criteria; other herbs cannot match these for compatibility with the human body. These specific herbs are not remedies for acute, but for chronic conditions, and often work to either increase or decrease a particular action, to rectify a circumstance which has gone awry. Aging, low stamina, and general debility are some of the many instances where these super herbs become our most vital foods. Of our diets today, Teeguarden says, less and less food we take is superior, with fewer plant nutrients, the real powerhouses that sustain us. In “Ancient Wisdom” he endorses the supertonics as food for life.
In chapter two, “The Principles of the Chinese Art of Radiant Health”, the author recounts major aspects of Chinese philosophy, of Yin and Yang, the Three Treasures, and the Five Elemental Energies— the characteristics of body and mind, and their place in the universe. He speaks of the relationship of human beings and their environments, and points to the quality of human adaptation as fundamental to being either healthy or disease-prone. And this builds momentum for the following two chapters: “The Body-Mind from the Asian Perspective”, with a discussion of the bodily organs and the concept of jing (essence), and “The Superior Herbalism”, conveying the antioxidant, nutrient, and adaptogenic qualities of herbs.
“The Supertonic herbs”, chapter five, describes and rates twenty-two herbs, such as Schizandra, the Ginsengs, Astragalus (an Asian anti-viral herb), and Dang Gui (Angelica). Major Supportive Herbs are described in chapter six, defending the concept that some herbs are better taken together, for full benefit. In chapter seven, “Fantastic Tonic Herbal Formulations”, the author has written in defense of 18 well-tested formulas. These formulas contain at least four herbs and are preferred to single herbs in cases of weakness and debility, stress, aging, yin deficiencies, loss of memory, infertility, regulating blood sugar levels, incontinence, sexual dysfunction, malnutrition, anemia, fluid stagnation and poor digestion or assimilation. Formulas have names like “Rehmannia Six Combination”, “SuperYin-Nourishing Formula”, “Ginseng Nutritive Combination” and “Formula for Restoring the Pulse”.
In chapter eight, “Tonic Herbal Programs”, Teeguarden passionately describes the many instances of poor-health and debilitating conditions that can be permanently relieved with tonic herbs. Helpful for general health complaints, these programs or formulas are supplemented with Teeguarden’s personal experience with the herbs, and cases where they are most effective. In the section “Help When Traveling”, he shows the protective qualities of various herbs for jet-lag, a toxic or unfamiliar environment, and wherever protection from danger is warranted. Astragalus, Reishi and Cordyceps are three herbs that when taken as the formula Supreme Protector, can be immune-enhancing. Note that a choice is given for each instance of bodily stress; and, there is more than one formula for each situation the Reader is faced with.
In “Delivery Systems”, the ninth chapter, Teeguarden describes excipients, the spray-drying process, extraction by water or alcohol, teas, and other methods of concentrating the essence of the herb for use. Finally, Teeguarden’s testimonial for this book is given in “Six Lessons the Tonic Herbs Have Taught Me”, including #4 The Value of a Positive Attitude and #5 The Meaning of Moderation. These two speak directly to our present states of stress and overwork, conditions that lead people to experience the debilitation and loss of radiance that lead to disease, both chronic and terminal. The author’s premise affirms that we are in control of our bodily and spiritual health, due to the decisions we make on a daily basis. He claims that Readers can benefit from the tonics and achieve radiant health.
Reviewing the guidelines in this philosophy, the Reader notes that learning directly from an herbalist leads to a greater sense of well-being when consuming herbal tonics. Think of the benefits to your life that less medicine, actually, will give. This book contains the wisdom of Ron Teeguarden, Master Herbalist.
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