superior class
herbs
Three thousand years ago, Shennong defined the superior class of
herbs as follows: "The superior class of herbs are the
rulers. They control the maintenance of life and correspond to
Heaven. These herbs are not medicines so the taking of these
herbs in larger amounts or over a long period of time is not
harmful. If you wish to take the material weight from the body,
to supplement the energies and nutrients circulating in the
body, and to prolong the years of life without aging, you should
base your efforts on the herb foods of the Superior Class."
Of the several thousand herbs used in the Chinese herbal system,
there is an elite group of less than a hundred herbs known as
the " superior herbs," also known as the tonics. The
most famous and important herbs associated with Asian herbalism
all fall into this superior herb, or tonic, category.
These superior herbs are not considered to be
"medicinal" in the usual sense of the word. They are
not used to treat specific diseases or disorders. Herbs that are
strictly medicinal fall into the Inferior Herb class because
they often cause side effects and because they do not develop
the Three Treasures. The tonics are used to promote over-all
well being, to enhance the body's energy, and to regulate the
bodily and psychic functioning, to protect the body and mind so
as to create what the Chinese call "radiant health."
The superior herbs provide this adaptive energy in abundance and
are thus a primary source of true human empowerment.
Only herbs that meet specific qualifications are ranked as a
superior herb in the Chinese herbal system. For an herb to be
recognized as a superior herb (another name for a tonic herb),
that herb must have been found over many centuries to meet six
specific qualifications:
1. A superior herb must contain at least one of the Three
Treasures in such abundance that it can contribute to the
building and maintenance of that Treasure in one who consumes
it. Some of the tonic herbs contain just one of the Treasures,
some contain two and some contain all three. In other words, an
herb must contain and be capable of providing Yin (essential
fluids), Yin Jing, Yang Jing, Qi, blood or Shen
2. A superior herb must aid in the attainment of a long life. By
strengthening life force, a tonic herb protects the body and
provides it with a means of living out its genetic potential.
3. A superior herb must have broad and profound health-promoting
actions that result in a radiantly healthy life. A tonic herb
will in one way or another promote the functions of the body so
that optimum health can be achieved.
4. A superior herb must have no negative side-effects when used
reasonably, and therefor may be taken continuously over a long
period of time if desired, yielding cumulative, long-term
benefits. This emphasis on safety is in accordance with the
first law of Chinese herbalism---"Do no harm" which is
strictly adhered to by all practitioners of Chinese herbalism.
5. A superior herb must help balance our emotional and psychic
energy so as to help improve one's state of spiritual and
emotional well being and happiness.
6. A superior herb must taste good enough to be consumed fairly
easily and must be easily digestible and assimilable when
prepared correctly. Most of the herbs in the tonic category do
taste good and in fact, most of the tonic herbs may be used in
healthy cooking. Many are used commonly in a healthy Chinese
diet. The tonic herbs are considered to be a major food group in
the Chinese diet. It is by virtue of their easy palatability
that people have been willing to consume them daily over the
periods of whole lifetimes, generation after generation for over
three thousand years.
Of the thousands of herbs and foods tested by the people of Asia
over many centuries, only a very small proportion have been
determined to meet all these criteria. The superior herbs are
the most prized of all herbs, for it has become clear over many
centuries that the great Chinese tonic herbs can make a very
major contribution toward ultimate well being. They can be
consumed on a daily basis to fortify us for the adventure of
life and to help us take full advantage of life’s richness. Of
course, in order to achieve Radiant Health, one must work on all
aspects of one's life, but the tonics are considered to be an
essential tool on the path of Radiant Health.
The superior herbs can thus be defined as herbs which promote a
long, healthy, vibrant, happy life, without any unwanted side
effects even when taken over a long period of time. Essentially,
the tonic, or superior herbs, are wonderful, healthful
"super-foods" which benefit our well being in ways
that more common foods cannot. And they have a protective,
balancing, vitalizing quality beyond that of any other herbs.
They are generally consumed as a supplement to a well balanced
healthy diet for the purpose of completing our nutritional
needs.
However, these great tonic herbs are super-foods which have the
capacity to promote health and well being beyond that of other
nutritional supplements. Thousands of years of experience has
taught that regular consumption of the tonic herbs can and will
provide a type of nutrition that is truly empowering.
The tonic approach emphasizes the use of the superior herbs (the
tonics) and uses the General and Inferior Herbs only sparingly
and only in a supportive manner, except when health
irregularities or illness occur. By developing an understanding
of the principles of natural health care, the way in which the
body, mind and spirit function, and the effects of the herbs,
one can significantly improve their health and promote a long,
healthy, happy, satisfying, exuberant life.
These principles and the herbs that support the art of radiant
health are easily learned, and herbal products are now available
throughout the world in convenient forms that for the first time
make it possible for anyone to take full advantage of them.
Radiant health is in reach of most of those who seek it.
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