Herbal tonic

In herbal medicine, a herbal tonic (also tonic herbs, tonic herbalism) is used to help restore, tone and invigorate systems in the body or to promote general health and well-being. A herbal tonic is a solution or other preparation made from a specially selected assortment of plants known as herbs. They are steeped in water and drunk either hot or cool. Herbal tonics are believed to have healing properties ranging from relieving muscle and joint pain and extend as far as inhibiting some cancers.

Herbal tonics can be dated as far back as 4,000 years ago – as a practice thought to have originated under the sphere of traditional Chinese Medicine. They were also used in Ayurvedic and Unani practices as well as in Native America. Initially, the use of herbal tonics was embedded within these traditional medicinal practices and cultures. Today, herbal tonics are consumed globally and are used as a general resource in maintaining well-being. They are found in not only hospitals and pharmacies, but in health food stores and supermarkets as well.

Although the use of herbal tonics has carried through since ancient times, it has been only within the past thirty years that herbal tonics have been used at a large rate globally. Roughly 4 billion people (primarily living in the developing world) annually spend roughly US$60 billion on herbal medicines to aid a large range of particular illness, with some individuals turning to herbal tonics due to concerns about that quality, safety, or affordability of orthodox treatments by physicians.

There is limited research into the safety and efficacy of herbal tonics - what is known is that some herbs contain specific chemicals and minerals which have known effects on the human body.