Having
discussed at some length, in a previous installment, the factors that
characterize tonic herbs, I should now admit that the picture is not as
crystal clear as I would like it to be.
Those of you who have read my book in this area, Herbal Tonic Therapies,
will recall that in the chapter on The Immune System I introduce a few
remarks on the Respiratory System (p 37), admitting therein that
identifying respiratory tonics is somewhat problematic, since it is
difficult to diagnose something like 'chronic over breathing.' Breathing
is something we like to do and do as much of as possible (for as long as
possible . . . (had the same problem with the male reproductive system. .
.)).
Even something like the build-up of mucous in the respiratory passages is
difficult to label as unhealthy, since it usually means that the immune
system is doing its job. While we might like to rid the body of mucous as
fast as it is created, it is unlikely that anyone would want to suppress
the immunological processes that create it. It seemed that wherever I
turned in my search for tonics for the respiratory system I ran into
difficulties. I finally had to conclude, "Perhaps in some future edition
of this book, we will be in a better position to evaluate tonic
respiratory herbs."
Do I think that that time has come? Well, no. But. Just because the
concept of the respiratory tonic remains elusive in some pure sense of the
word (i.e., where perfect bidirectionality has been proven), that does not
exclude the practical application of beneficial respiratory herbs in tonic
formulas. I have felt this way for some time, yet have resisted the
temptation to write about it, for fear of confusing individuals who are
struggling to understand the meaning of 'tonic' in the first place. But
now may be the time to reveal my feelings along these lines. Hence, dear
reader, please review previous columns as well as the new CD until you are
comfortable with the concept of the tonic, and then proceed.
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Are you ready? Good, then let's get to it. To review, there are just a
couple of body 'systems' that are difficult to approach on a tonic level,
the respiratory system being one (the excretory system being another). As
I mentioned in my book on tonics, there are certainly several herbs that
are beneficial for the respiratory system, even if they are not tonics in
the purest sense of the word. However, I am convinced that some of these
can be easily combined with true tonic herbs without compromising the
tonic activity of the total combination. A classic example is the use of
the herb thyme (Thymus vulgaris) in tonic formulas. On this level,
the inclusion of the thyme in JC TONIC® is superb
embodiment.
Traditionally, thyme has been used to calm upset stomachs, kill bacteria,
relax the smooth muscles of the stomach and uterus, increase
expectoration, kill worms, and improve the secretion of digestive enzymes.
It is used to treat dyspepsia, chronic gastritis, asthma, diarrhea,
enuresis in children, laryngitis, tonsillitis, nagging coughs and whooping
cough. The antitussive, expectorant and antispasmodic properties are
probably the most important. All of these actions would contribute to the
activity of a whole body tonic. The question is, "Will these effects
override the balancing action of the tonic, turning it into a
unidirectional compound totally lacking in the ability to restore
normalcy, balance and homeostasis to body systems?" Interestingly, the
answer to that question is both yes and no. If one used purified extracts
of the activity ingredients from thyme (volatile oils thymol and carvacol)
in a mixture, these powerful substances would definitely destroy all tonic
activity. However, the whole plant, or simple crude extracts, contain
immensely important flavonoids and other constituents that do tend to
balance the volatile oils, and modify and mitigate their activity. The
result is that good whole thyme interacts synergistically with
almost all true tonic herbs. In the final analysis a tonic blend that
contains thyme benefits from its presence in at least two fundamental
ways:
1) from the increase
in therapeutic activity imparted by the whole product: and 2) from the
beneficial properties attributable to the thyme itself.
In a tonic designed for improved immune or respiratory function, the
action of thyme would be to reduce the bacteria that create respiratory
distresses such as whooping cough and various "-tises." It also relaxes
the muscles of the trachea and reduces spasms of the bronchi, all of which
further contributes to the relief of coughs.
In a tonic designed for the female reproductive system, the antispasmodic
action means lessened severity and incidence of menstrual cramps.
In a tonic designed for the musculoskeletal system, the thyme's
anti-inflammatory activity means less back and joint pain.
Similarly synergistic improvements would be expected with tonic herbs
targeting all other body systems. Hence, thyme is a perfect example of
occasional positive contributions to herbal tonic blends made by non-tonic
herbs. This positive activity would magnify several-fold in a sensibly
constructed whole body tonic. Hence, users of Jurak Classic Whole Body
Tonic can look forward to a wonderful, health-promoting,
life-invigorating, foot-stompingly exciting thyme.
We use thyme in cooking not only for its flavor, but because it was
learned anciently that thyme preserves meat. It saves it for a longer
thyme.
During the middle ages, noblewomen embroidered sprigs of thyme on scarves
for their favorite knights as a symbol of courage. A stitch in thyme saves
nine (knights?).
A couple of centuries ago (somewhere in thyme), people with depression
were advised to sleep on thyme-stuffed pillows at bed-thyme.
When will a woman with PMS reach for the thyme? Answer: Any thyme she darn
well pleases, thank you!
Finally, in the 16th century thyme was administered to people with
so-called 'falling sickness' - thyme after thyme after...
