In herbal medicine, a herbal tonic (also tonic herbs, tonic herbalism) is used to help restore, tone and invigorate systems in the body[1] or to promote general health and well-being.[2] A herbal tonic is a solution or other preparation made from a specially selected assortment of plants known as herbs.[2] They are steeped in water and drunk either hot or cool.[1] Herbal tonics are believed to have healing properties ranging from relieving muscle and joint pain[3] and extend as far as inhibiting some cancers.[4]
Herbal tonics can be dated as far back as 4,000 years ago[5] – as a practice thought to have originated under the sphere of traditional Chinese Medicine.[5] They were also used in Ayurvedic and Unani practices[6] as well as in Native America.[7] 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.[3] They are found in not only hospitals and pharmacies, but in health food stores and supermarkets as well.[8]
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.[8] Roughly 4 billion people (primarily living in the developing world) annually spend roughly US$60 billion[9] on herbal medicines to aid a large range of particular illness,[8] with some individuals turning to herbal tonics due to concerns about that quality, safety, or affordability of orthodox treatments by physicians.[8]
There is limited research into the safety and efficacy of herbal tonics[9] – what is known is that some herbs contain specific chemicals and minerals which have known effects on the human body.[3][8]