Herbal tonics or herbal tinctures have been my preferred way of dispensing herbal medicine since the beginning of my naturopathic career, which began 20 years ago. Herbal tinctures have never let me, or my patients down – or many generations before us.
There are many ways to administer natural medicine such as powders, capsules, pills, teas, decoctions, plasters, compresses, juices, herbal wines, vinegars, food, lozenges or herbal tinctures. However during my clinical observations nothing can compare to results of herbal tonics.
You need 40 Litres of red wine to have the therapeutic equivalent of Resveratrol.
Echinacea Plantation.
1. The Highest Vital Force
Herbal tinctures, particularly made from fresh herbs, have the highest vital force. It is impossible for a herbalist to grow hundreds of herbs and dispense fresh medicinal juices three times a day for each patient. Therefore, herbal tinctures made from fresh herbs and dry herbs offer the best alternative.
Turmeric, root and powder.
2. There are Herbs for every Disease
As new and more complex diseases are affecting patients, new medicinal plants being discovered and rediscovered, and new therapeutic properties of well-known herbs are constantly being researched and applied in naturopathic clinics.
Curcumin (turmeric), for instance, can address all seven pathways in multi-targeting any cancer, which eight heavy-duty specific anti-cancer drugs fall short of. (H.Osiecki, Cancer Clinical Nutrition 2012) This is equivalent to $20 per week of turmeric versus $400 a week in pharmaceutical drugs.
Gingo Biloba.
3. Herbal Tinctures are Usually not Standardised
Nature has provided us with an abundance of medicinal plants and we are still only scratching the surface. Every medicinal plant has its active constituents (phytochemicals) in the perfect amount and ratio. If nature had intended, for instance, that Gingko Biloba needed to be standardised it would occur naturally in such potency. Gingko Biloba has at least 26 chemical components. Not a single pharmaceutical drug is as complex as any given single medicinal plant.
When the herb is standardised it becomes a drug, the properties of which need to be fully understood and trialled. Standardising an isolated active constituent and putting it in tablet form does not necessarily make it better or more effective. The fundamental principle of herbal medicine is to use the whole plant, not one isolated constituent.
In a Herbal Dispensary.
4. Absorption
Herbal tinctures are either ethanol extracts or glycetracts. Ethanol extracts have the highest absorption rate and active constituents are more easily released into the menstruum (solvent extracting herbal constituents). If a patient cannot take ethanol for health or religious reasons, the ethanol can be easily evaporated from the dispensed tonic bottle.
Usually 5-6 herbs are poured into a dispensing bottle for a patient to take home.
5. Synergistic and Energetic Effects
Between 5-6 herbs are usually poured into a dispensing bottle for a patient to take home. A practitioner considers the energetic properties of the herbs as well as their therapeutic actions to address a patient’s condition/s. Those herbs put together as a herbal tonic have a much higher therapeutic (synergistic) effect than each herb on its own. This phenomenon only occurs with organic substances like herbs.
Danuta Hulajko in her dispensary.
6. Supporting Multiple Functions in the Body
One herb can have such a diverse array of active constituents, on average 10-15, so if a practitioner blends 5 herbs in a tonic it is possible to address 50 plus therapeutic actions, thus addressing many functions in the body simultaneously. Not a single pharmaceutical drug can achieve this result.
7. Taste
Individual herbs and the energetics of the herbs affect the taste of the tonic and also enhances its absorption right from the time it enters the mouth. There are many ways to make herbal tonics taste more palatable such as mixing with juice, water or food. From a results point of view it is worth it every time.
8. Flexibility
Herbal tonics are the most effective and economical way to dispense natural medicine to a patient and the tonics are tailored to the patient’s needs.
9. No Excipients
Tablets or capsules always contain excipients or binders which slows down absorption and reduces the vital force of the active constituents.
10. No Side Effects
Herbs and herbal tinctures have no adverse side effects if taken as directed by your naturopath. Dry or fresh herbs prior to the manufacturing process are tested in Australia for heavy metals, mass spectrometry (an extremely accurate method to identify phytochemicals) and chromatography (the blue print of the herb species). These tests ensure that herbs are not substituted.
So the next time you drink your 5ml portion of your herbal tonic, think how much good it is doing your whole body.
If you would like to restore your health and vitality, call us now on (02) 9541 2428 to book your free 15 minute phone consultation.
Danuta Hulajko is a holistic practitioner, international speaker and the founder & practitioner at the DH Natural Medicine Clinic and www.healingremedies.com.au in Sydney.
Danuta specialises in Allergies, Anti-Aging, Auto-Immune Conditions, Cardiovascular Conditions, Female Reproductive, Menopause, Mould Toxicity, Skin Conditions, Stress and Insomnia and Thyroid Dysfunction.
For more information please go to our website. You can also follow Danuta Hulajko’s work, events, seminars, expos, latest health research, her health tips and advice on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
