Greetings! According to Webster, a tonic is a medicine that invigorates or strengthens; anything invigorating physically, mentally or morally. In this article, we will highlight several tonics and the people that make and use them. From my early history I have been involved with tonics and the way of life that accompanies the use of natural tonics and herbal healing. My ancestral heritage resembles a patchwork quilt. I am First Nations: Black Cherokee and Blackfoot, plus Creole, African and other tribes of unclear origin. I strive for my way of living to reflect the Wisdom of the Ancient Ones from the Four Directions. Myself and my partner of 18 years, Mario Vela, have let Nature guide us over the years while raising our two daughters, both born at home with Mario as my only assistant. Using herbs, fresh juices, natural tonics and remedies has been a way of life for this family.
I spoke first with Duckie Simpson - one of the founding members of Black Uhuru and from Jamaica - and he suggested these tonics, including one you would never expect: Guinness Stout! Duckie said, "Yes, it is a tonic - depends on how you use it!" It is called 'Build Morgan.' You put oats, soy or dairy milk, with the Guinness and blend with nutmeg and spices. Other tonics well known in Jamaica are strong bock, used alone as a tonic and 'Up it Up,' which is a tonic made from various roots, molasses, sarsaparilla and strong bock. Also Irish moss which is often mixed with linseed, gumara bit and icing glass. Another is Medina, which is herbs you can drink by itself or add to other tonics.
Deb Hutt, a Yuki herbalist living on the Round Valley Indian Reservation in Northern California, told me that her favorite tonics are California spikenard, yerba santa (also known as mountain balm) and hawthorn syrup - with hawthorn syrup possibly having the most benefits. She told me that hawthorn is a good tonic used for organic and functional heart problems. She took a few moments to explain the benefits of hawthorn, learned while conducting research about Graves' disease, which led to her using this tonic. "It has lowered my high blood pressure and also lowered high cholesterol for a friend. It dilates coronary vessels and helps normalize blood pressure with continued use. With regular use it will strengthen the heart. The thorns were also inserted like acupuncture needles into painful, arthritic joints and allowed to 'burn down' onto arthritic areas as a form of 'moxibustion.' The thorns were also used to pierce and drain boils and to probe ulcers and wounds. Hawthorn syrup has been approved in Germany for treating early stages of congestive heart failure. Preparations should be taken for several months, preferably for a number of years, to derive the most benefit. I sell a lot of this tonic!"
Jimmi Shahid Esspirit, a talented musician living in New Orleans, Louisiana, also took a few moments to answer some questions about his favorite tonic, Shou Wu Chih, from China. "Through years of testing and tasting many Asian and Oriental herbal formulas, my favorite is Shou Wu Chih with its primary ingredient being Ho Shou Wu along with Chinese licorice, astragalus and six more herbs, pre-bottled in rice wine. It has enabled I to maintain a quite balanced metabolism, and I normal state of vigor has been maintained or even excelled at times. It cuts down very well on your consumption of foods and can also vitalize soup, stews and beverages. The bottled Shou Wu Chih has also served as a reliever from alcoholism. Or those ingredients can be purchased bulk at Chinese herbal shops worldwide. Shou Wu Chih is a very, very popular tonic distributed throughout the U.S. You can choose your own favorite wine, liqueur or whiskey (the alcohol evaporates when added to water) and soak the bottled herbal formula in this liquid for a seven-week period to make your own Shou Wu Chih tonic." When I called Sister Carol, she was out doing yard work. I asked her about female tonics. She ran off a list of powerful herbs for us. Combinations of these herbs make fine tonics for women: Irish moss, angelica, damiana, blessed thistle, motherwort, squaw vine, wild yam, and black and blue cohosh. Sister Carol strongly recommends herbal tonics and healings - even in her songs - on her CD Isis: Original Womb-man there is a song called "Herbal is Natural." The chorus goes "...herbal is natural, natural is ital, ital is vital, vital is total..."
At festivals and events around California, you might catch up with emcee and "roots tonic man," Rocky Bailey, in a cluster of reggae performers at the back of his car, with money passing hands. But it's not the "herbs exchange" you might expect, instead he is supplying performers with tonics for their health and strength on the road. He bottles his tonics in both individual and gallon-sized bottles using the recipes taught him by his grandparents, who began teaching him the proportions and prayers included in making the tonics from when he was about ten years old. He tells me, "My Roots Tonic is a tonic for the whole mind and entire human body. In it are herbs for liver and blood cleansers, such as Chaney root, goldenseal, gotu kola, mauby, bloodwiss, briarwiss, sarsaparilla, ginseng (Korean, American, Chinese), other Chinese herbs, and many more."
Erin Kidanemariam, sells herbal remedies - while also providing beautiful gift baskets of herbs, soaps, tonics, vitamins and other thoughtful items for many festivals that in turn give these hospitality gifts to their performing artists and other special guests. "My favorite tonic is Ola Loa (long life in Hawaiian). It is an effervescent multi-vitamin, multi-mineral and multi-amino acid complex. It is available online at www.drinkyourvitamins.com, your local health food store or vitamin shop. Ola Loa gives me energy, plus it prevents me from getting colds, flu and periodontal disease. It is great for those with diabetes, sickle cell anemia, jet lag, low energy and for recovery after exercising."
And, what is my own favorite tonic? The name of that tonic and my name both share the same meaning: regeneration. In fact, some of my friends call me 'Tea-Chiya,' because I am always talking about this or that tea or about my other favorite tonic, Hibiscus Mint, (more on that later). This formula has several names, such as Bone Flesh and Cartilage Formula, or Bone Tea. Whatever you call it, it tastes awful but works great! I have personal friends and acquaintances that have had nearly miraculous recoveries from using this tea, mostly involving broken bones. Mario and I just plain feel better when we take it on a daily basis. Actually, I've even come to enjoy the taste, especially of the syrup - it's kinda' sweet. My favorite tonic is also available in salves and even capsules. Or, you can make Regeneration Tea from scratch by simmering the herbs in a big pot. There is a recipe for Dr. Christopher's Regeneration Tea, in the Last Chance Health Report by Sam Biser. Or, the tea can be found already mixed on Dr. Christopher's website at www.herbsfirst.com. I am of the opinion that herbalists like him have learned a lot from the Original Peoples of this land.
1. Use stainless steel pots and strainers, never aluminum.
2. Use distilled water out of glass bottles. Don't use tap water as the fluoride and chloride found in most water supplies do not stimulate bone growth.
3. With most tonics, the longer you let it "set," the stronger it will be, but on the other hand, when simmering your mixture over man-made heat, do not simmer too long or it can lose strength.
4. Be sure to store your tonics and teas in the refrigerator in a glass bottle. Do not use plastic.
5. A friendly disclaimer: Please remember to start first with a visit to your doctor/health care provider before trying any new health idea. RFG is not responsible for the opinions and practices expressed herein.
Earlier I mentioned I had two favorites. My other absolutely favorite tea is Nile Valley Hibiscus Mint Tea, a delicious and refreshing tonic. Hibiscus is known to be good for dealing with diabetes and lowering the blood pressure, and peppermint is great for the stomach. Harvested in the Nile Valley of Egypt, the funds from this project have provided fresh water to the villagers for the first time in history. They have also established a solar-powered school and next will build the village a health clinic. Visit www.nilevalleyherbs.com for more information or call 512-442-6907 (and ask for Awad).
We hope you have learned something new today. The world has so many offerings touting health and strength - with most accompanied by fantastical hype and hard sell - that it's often difficult to choose what is right for you and your family. Might I suggest: listen to your heart - because our inner voice can provide us with much needed guidance.