i was wondering if anyone knows how to make a tonic. i've heard you need a pressure cooker, honey and a larger amount of bulk herbs? etc.
however if anyone has a particular format i would appreciate it if you could let me know.
all the best,
James
dabtcm
It is not clear from the nature of your question exactly what it is you are asking/enquiring about. There are many diffent types of tonics as well as 'treatment' medicines that employ honey....but not all. I think you are enquiring about making a "honey paste" (???), but this is not clear. Also, not all tonics employ the use of honey. There is no one set format/formulae/model to follow as this is variable based on the constiuent ingredients involved as well as the 'desired' therapeutic affect. In China we made many tonics and medicines with and without honey as well as treatment medicines, but without more specific information it is impossible to even begin to recommend a 'framework' to follow. So, if you are more specific with regards to specifc medicinals employed a more specific answer may be given + also knowing what the duration of course of medicine / supplementation is.
A more specific and direct question can = a more specific answer. Medicinals involved, duration of course of treatment....even desired "volume" of "tonic" would be a start.
There are lots of ways to make tonics. It really depends on your objective and whether or not you want to use alcohol. You can make a basic tonic simply by adding alcohol to a mixture of raw herbs. You can use vodka or brandy. Select your formula, put it in a big glass jar, pour in enough alcohol to cover the herbs completely and let it sit for a minimum of 6 weeks. The longer you let it sit the stronger and better (and possibly more bitter, depending on the herbs) it will be.
You do need to buy a relatively large amount of raw herbs, but if you are going to go to the trouble of making it you might as well make a decent amount. Decide how much you want to make, take a common tonic formula and use the same ratios to make a larger formula.
Don't skimp on the herbs either, if you are going to go to the trouble of making this use good quality herbs, they may cost a little more, but you deserve it. You can give it away to friends and family or bottle and sell it.
Best,
Marc
www.real-stress-relief.com
I don't think the man asking how to make tonics was referring to making tinctures or alcohol extracts. As a person who makes tonics I can say that they are easy to make and easy to take. Tonics have the functioning of toning internal organs, that is optimizing their function. Tonics are drinks, infusions or decoctions made of tonic herbs, that are taken regularly and often everyday. Adaptogenic herbs come to mind as being the regular ones.
They can be single herbs or formulas and yes they can taste bad, so add some sweeter helping herbs where possible (ie. ginseng with red dates). I drink Ling zhi, wu wei zi, dang shen, yi yi ren all the time, especially Ling zhi with or without her shou wu. My company is now offering prepared he shou wu powder and Jiao gu lan (another awesome one).
Boil it and drink it.
sean@namuorganics.com
Joined: 2007-09-22