Herbal Bitters

In Western medicine, we tend to think a remedy is good if it’s fast acting, quickly relieving the symptoms of a disease. An effective drug is one that makes a rapid change in specific body processes, such as bringing down high blood pressure or easing pain. An agent that gradually improved overall health over a long period of time would never get the attention of modern pharmaceutical companies. 

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sees things differently. Fast acting, symptom-relieving agents are considered inferior medicine. A superior medicine is something that acts slowly to restore balance and health to the system. About 50 herbs, out of the thousands used in TCM, have been labeled superior medicines. In the west we call these health-building herbs tonics. 

In this month’s Herbal Hour, we’ll explain what tonic herbs are and how they work. We’ll cover some the major tonic herbs, explaining their health-building benefits. We'll discuss how these remedies can increase energy and stamina, improve resistance to disease, slow the aging process and otherwise build good general health.

In the Herbal Hour, Steven Horne joins forces with Thomas Easley to discuss our monthly topic from a more generic perspective. The Herbal Hour focuses on single herbs and nutrients in solving health problems…