An elixir is a special kind of herb-based drink. Another name for tonic, it offers super nutrition to the nervous and endocrine systems, and can be called an elixir to life. In the book, Elixir’s tonics and teas, you’ll find recipes for energy, stamina, immunity, even memory stimulation, made from vegetables, fruits and herbs.
Elixir’s tonics and teas: Invigorating tonics for the mind, body & spirit. / Jeff Stein and Edgar Veytia. New York: Clarkson Potter Publishers, 2001.
Authors Stein and Veytia point out the history of elxirs and tonics. They say that beverages made of ingredients that increase vitality have been brewed by indigenous medicinal traditions the world over. The key to this vitality lies in certain tonic herbs that are known to be nutritious for human beings, the tonic herbs. Thus we can drink our energy, stamina, immunity, even memory stimulation in healthful concoctions from soups, smoothies and teas, even cocktails! And the range of tonic herbs compliments Chinese with Native American and European herbs. In Elixir’s cupboards, Reishi mushroom, ginsengs, schizandra, ginger, astragalus and jujube dates reside alongside hawthorn, hops, sage and valerian from European herbalists, and black cohosh, California poppy, and goldenseal from Native American traditions.
What is a tonic beverage? The concept of preparing healthy drinks lies in the ancient art of mixing fresh vegetables with the leaves, roots or stems of herbs to create a beverage. Sometimes these beverages were medicinal, that is they could correct an imbalance or cure an illness. In the West, formulas for these medicines were devised by the Roman physician and scientist, Galen, who lived about 2000 years ago. Accordingly, galenicals became formulas consisting of plants and herbs prepared and venerated since then. On the other side of the planet in Asia, medicinal formulas had been refined for centuries by numerous herbalists who were the favorites of Chinese monarchs of various dynasties. Specific to China are the tonic herbs, the ones categorized as highest in the plant kingdom, affording the greatest benefits to humans while at the same time causing very little toxicity. While a tonic isn’t prepared to cure an existing health condition, it does have restorative properties if taken in combination with proper diet and healthful lifestyle.
Tonic recipes can span the range of adventures in nutrition. From soups to spirits, they’re patterned after recipes with the notion that we like being entertained by culinary themes. The book doesn’t pretend that healthfulness is unattainable with everyday foods, yet the selections are obviously of high quality, perhaps even gourmet quality ingredients.
The authors offer a soup recipe called “Get An Edge Tonic Soup” into which the herb astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous) is added. What begins as an elegant broth of shallots, potatoes, garlic, shiitake mushrooms, and thyme, becomes a life-afirming tonic with the addition of this herb. Or “Summer Ease”, a smoothie featuring orange juice, peach, banana, and yogurt, paired with Echinacea, golden seal and astragalus. See David Winston, at this blog article, who calls astragalus a mild adaptogen.
The three basic sections, Body, Mind and Spirit, provide a taste by taste approach to an ideal lifestyle. One of the best aspects of the book is the healthful advice delivered in nuggets of information. You might find all you need to begin a healthful program in “Energy Practice”, “Detox Practice” or “The Tonic Seasons”. These give specific instructions about energy generating exercises and detoxifying plans and show how the seasons of the year call for different tonics. The practice of preparing and taking tonic teas and engaging in the seasonal routines restores health to the spirit.
Look up any herb from the recipes in the authors’ appendix, “Glossary of herbs and Chinese herbal formulas”. There you’ll find astragalus described as a plant, how it’s been used in Chinese medicine, what it looks like fresh, and its constituents. Other appendices are Herb Quality; Herb Safety; Tips for Choosing; Resource Guide; there’s also an Index.
Pleasantly illustrated with photographs and illustrations, these tonic recipes articulate a lifestyle filled with positive energy.
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