What is a Tonic?

This a broad action whose remedies will either strengthen and enliven a specific organ or the whole body. When referring to an organ system they are often described as Trophorestoratives.

How Tonics Work

Tonics work in variable ways, but are a foundational gift from the remarkable healing power of nature. Tonics are often specific to an organ system or area of the body such as the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, musculoskeletal and nervous systems.

The term tonic has an incredibly broad meaning. The following is a list of some “Tonic” activities that can occur within the body.

Mucous Membrane Tonics

• Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal)
• Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet)
• Euphrasia off. (Eyebright)

Thyroid Tonics

• Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort)
• Fucus vesiculosis (Kelp)

Immune Tonics

• Astragalus membranaceous (Astragalus)
• Tabebuia impeteginosa (Pau D’Arco)
• Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom)
• Lentinus edodes (Shitake mushroom)
• Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail)

Connective Tissue Tonics

• Avena sativa (Oats)
• Centella asiatica (Gotu kola)
• Equisetum arvense (Horsetail)
• Plantago lanceolata/major (Plantain)
• Symphytum off. (Comfrey)
• Crataegus sp. (Hawthorne)
• Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry)

Vascular Tonics

• Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry)
• Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
• Tilia europea (Linden)
• Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut)

Cardiac Tonics

• Crataegus sp. (Hawthorne)
• Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort)
• Convalleria majalis (Lily of the Valley)
• Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom)

Liver Tonics

• Silybum marianum (Milk thistle)
• Cynara scolymus (Artichoke)
• Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
• Curcuma longa (Turmeric)

Adrenal Tonics

• Borago officinalis (Borage)
• Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
• Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng)
• Rhodiola rosea (Arctic rose)
• Withania somnifera (Ashwaganda)

Respiratory Tonics

• Equisetum arvense (Horsetail)
• Plantago lanceolata/major (Plantain)
• Hyssopus off. (Hyssop)

Uterine Tonics

• Actaea (Cimicifuga) racemosa (Black cohosh)
• Caulophyllum thalictroides (Blue cohosh)
• Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort)
• Rubus idaeus (Red raspberry)
• Mitchella repens (Squaw Vine/Partridge Berry)

• Adapted from David Hoffman’s ‘The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical Herbalism” & “Medical Herbalism”