To be truly healthy one should be balanced. Another word for balance is homeostasis or perhaps the defining word could be normal. A normal body wouldn’t be stressed or sluggish. Body functions wouldn’t be hyper or hypo.  Common but opposing sets of imbalances would be constipation and diarrhea, high and low blood pressure, high and low blood sugar, or tight and loose muscles. An effective immune system would function properly in a body that is in homeostasis. I postulate that illness occurs more frequently when we are not in balance or put another way, when we are not running on all cylinders. 

We can become imbalanced physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This newsletter will focus on physical imbalances, which can be avoided through optimal wholesome food intake and destroyed by junk food diets. When imbalance occurs from part-some (processed) food choices, we then worsen the imbalance by taking part-some medicines (drugs) as opposed to wholesome medicines (herbs).

At this stage of imbalance tonic herbs gently move the body back into homeostasis. This normalcy is evident in increased vigor, energy, and strength. Unlike drugs that are purposely unidirectional (one action), tonic herbs can balance whether the condition is hyper or hypo functioning. Ginseng is a good example of a tonic herb that is used for high or low blood pressure. It has ginsenosides that lower blood pressure and other ginsenosides that raise blood pressure. The body selects the ginsenoside it needs and disposes of the ginsenoside with the opposite effect. Ginseng has similar effects on blood sugar levels.

Astragalus is a genuine tonic herb. It strengthens the immune system and calms an overactive immune system. By simply combining astragalus with marshmallow root in equal parts, autoimmune diseases are ameliorated, and when used daily in large quantities (5 capsules,5 times per day) for a year, they are generally cured.

Interestingly, licorice root is a fantastic tonic herb, in its whole powdered state. However, when it is made into an extract, like what is found in licorice candy, then it becomes quite unidirectional in its action stimulating the adrenal glands and creating a hyperactive state.

One more herb that most people don’t consider tonic is echinacea. We all think of echinacea as an immune stimulant, which it is when used in large amounts.  However, in daily small quantities it is the perfect tonic that stimulates white blood cell production in acute infections but helps decrease white blood cells in chronic inflammatory diseases.  

People who have constantly used one directional drugs can become so imbalanced that tonic herbs may take longer to work on them but will eventually help them back into homeostasis.

I love the field of herbology and encourage you all to learn of our Creator’s wonderful cornucopia of natural safe remedies. Contact the School of Natural Healing for more information. https://www.schoolofnaturalhealing.com/

David Christopher is a Master Herbalist, director of The School of Natural Healing, and son of our beloved Dr. John R. Christopher. He is continually helping others improve their health and that of their family members. The School loves having him as the director.