Chinese Tonic Herbs. / by Ron Teeguarden. New York: Japan Publications, Inc., 1986. ISBN 0-87040-551-9. 197 p., illustrations, tables, appendices and index.
Chinese Tonic Herbs by Ron Teeguarden is an eloquent acknowledgment of the support humans can realize from the superior herbs. It was published about a decade before his The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs (see this blog post). Chinese Tonic Herbs is instructive and specific to the study of herbal tonics, and it is illustrated. To benefit from the instructive nature of Teeguarden’s writing style, you could read both books. From The Ancient Wisdom of Chinese Tonic Herbs, the Reader gets explanation and elaboration from a largely health-oriented text, aimed at the interested public; from Chinese Tonic Herbs, indigenous Chinese medical philosophy is inseparable from Taoist beliefs and their uses of herbal tonics.
In Chinese Tonic Herbs, 35 herbs are featured, divided equally between major tonics and minor tonics but for Deer Antler, in the minor tonic group. It is quite clear how the tonics are conceived to work with our human systems to achieve balance. Teeguarden, in the chapter “The Fundamental Principles of Chinese Tonic Herbs”, provides a section describing the seven types of tonics, p. 55-57, and these are supported by the energies of Yin and Yang, and the tastes and energetic tendencies of the Five Elements. In other words, herbal substances are to be regarded as capable of balancing human systems. If a person’s energy (their constitution or condition) calls for balance because it’s too hot, tonic herbs with cooling action are selected. Conversely, if cold energy is over-abundant, herb tonics with heating action are chosen.
Of the major tonic herbs, Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is always the first considered. It’s properties are so revered that no other tonic herb comes as close to being perfect for the body when heating action is desired. Teeguarden declares:
“Panax ginseng is one of the most famous and valued herbs used by mankind.” p. 78
The section on the major tonic herbs begins with Ginseng, an energy tonic to all the body’s meridians; the section concludes with Poria cocos (Fu Ling), a yin and energy tonic to the meridians of the Spleen, Lung, Kidney, Triple Burner, Bladder, Heart and Gall Bladder. The entries begin with English and botanical names ascribed to the herb, followed by a short description of its history as a tonic, followed by the Chinese name and Chinese character. Next are the characteristics of the herb, including such attributes as energy, taste, meridians affected, and herbal action. “Qualities attributed” to the part of the herb used are described in terms of its benefits and history. An example is seen for Atractylodis ovata (Bai Zhu), an herb Teeguarden says is…
… “used for its warming properties, tonic to the spleen and stomach, as a diuretic, regulates the appetite, and, considered one of the best energy tonics by Chinese herbalists.” p. 106
Last provided are “modern knowledge” (active principles), “varieties and grading” and “preparation and dosage”, rounding out a complete monograph of the tonic herb. The Reader may consult these descriptions along with the photograph to gain an acquaintance with the part of the herb used in tonic preparations.
In the section on the minor tonic herbs, the treatment of each tonic is much abbreviated compared to the major tonic herbs, although illustrations accompany the text. Each tonic herb is identified by its English name plus the Chinese characters representing its name. Here Teeguarden also includes mention of known secondary substances, or chemical principles, provided by the herb. If these were not available at the time of publication, traditional knowledge or the herb’s reputation is given.
Comparing Chinese Tonic Herbs with The Ancient Wisdom, you’ll find herbal formulations, products and programs, as well as a discussion of commercially produced herbal preparations in each book. However, The Ancient Wisdom’s chapters speak directly to the user who may or may not have knowledge of the philosophy supporting Chinese medicine. Thus in reasoning with the Reader and giving descriptions of how the herbs work together, Teeguarden makes a case for each 500 year old combination or formula. For example, Bupleurum chinense or Radix Bupleuri, known in Chinese medicine as Chai Hu, is the foundational herb for a number of tonic combinations that support the qi and shen. Formulas include Bupleurum and Peony, or Scutellaria, Dragon Bone, or Dan Gui, etc. for specific effect. Chai Hu is a minor tonic herb, paired with other herbs in its class, or added to one major tonic herb. Entries provide the pharmaceutical name, association with qi, jing, and or shen, energy, taste, and organ association (rather than meridians affected). Lastly, a rating is given which allows the Reader to note its tonic value in just a glance.
Again in comparison, the Index of both books is consulted for names–of conditions, of herbs, both common and botanical, of places, and persons. Yet the more recent book’s index is over three times as lengthy, extending from page 373 to 391, containing sub-entries to delineate parts of a monograph, such as “–contraindications, –delivery systems, –preparation, –qualities, –in tonic formulations (partial listing), or include concepts such as adaptogenic activities, technology, etc. Chinese Tonic Herbs’ Index is rather more simple, but covers concepts, names of conditions and herb entries, whether as common or botanical names. And its Bibliography is welcome, as no bibliography attends The Ancient Wisdom of Chinese Tonic Herbs. As compendiums of knowledge about the Chinese tonic herbs, both books offer much information and the passion of the author for Readers to experience the tonic herbs that stimulate health and well-being.
A word about terms used in basic concepts of Chinese medicine: Although it’s easy enough for English speakers to confuse Chinese terms, there is also a difference in Western spellings of the basic terms. In the 1980s, books used the Wade-Giles system; in current use is the pinyin system of rendering Chinese language sounds in English. The recent spellings are abbreviated and are meant to simplify punctuation and sounds for Western readers: Ch’i is now spelled Qi, with the same pronunciation as for Qi Gong. Another concept in human physiology is Ch’ing, now spelled Jing; and a third, Shin, is now written as Shen. “Shin” was not meant to be your shin bone, but alludes to your countenance, attitude and general outlook. Having good shen, a person is likely to be healthy, to possess “radiant health” seen as the ultimate goal, according to Teeguarden.
A Ginseng Cooker is a porcelain pot with two lids that can be partially submerged in water in a double boiler pan and is used to “cook” or decoct root herbs, such as Ginseng; roots, barks, some fruits or tough plant parts require long cooking times to extract vital healing substances.
See more of the wisdom of Ron Teeguarden, Master Herbalist and at dragonherbs.com.
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