An Approach to the Concept of Tonic: Suggested Definitions and Historical Aspects

Götti, Robert; Melzer, Jörg; Saller, Reinhard

doi:10.1159/000369767

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Furthermore, the humoral (HUM) applications of the past seem to be replaced by tonic (TON) applications in more recent times. Interestingly, the general purpose of a ‘tonic’, namely, to restore and maintain physiological functioning of an organ system, largely corresponds with the circumscription of humoral detoxification according to the theory of four humors [ 21 , 73 ]. Plants that are used for both categories, HUM and TON, such as, e.g., Artemisia absinthium and Urtica dioica , usually support digestion and/or have a diuretic effect [ 74 , 75 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends of Medicinal Plant Use over the Last 2000 Years in Central Europe

Cero

Saller²,

Leonti

et al. 2022

Plants

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Medicinal plant knowledge in Central Europe can be traced back from the present to antiquity, through written sources. Approximately 100 medicinal plant taxa have a history of continuous use. In this paper, we focus on use patterns over time and the link between historical and traditional uses with the current scientific evidence. We discuss our findings against the backdrop of changing eras and medicinal concepts. Based on use-records from totally 16 historical, popular and scientific herbals, we analyze how use categories of 102 medicinal plant taxa developed over time. Overall, 56 of the 102 taxa maintained continuous use throughout all time periods. For approximately 30% of the continuous uses, scientific evidence supporting their use exists, compared to 11% for recently added uses and 6% for discontinuous uses. Dermatology and gastroenterology are use categories that are relevant across all time periods. They are associated with a high diversity of medicinal taxa and continuously used medicinal species with scientific evidence. Antidotes, apotropaic (protective) magic, and humoral detoxification were important use categories in the past. New applications reflecting biomedical progress and epidemiological challenges are cardiovascular and tonic uses. Changes in medicinal concepts are mirrored in plant use and specifically in changes in the importance of use categories. Our finding supports the concept of social validation of plant uses, i.e., the assumption that longstanding use practice and tradition may suggest efficacy and safety.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends of Medicinal Plant Use over the Last 2000 Years in Central Europe

Cero

Saller²,

Leonti

et al. 2022

Plants

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“…Historically, the concept of health tonics is deeply embraced in traditional medicines by utilizing tonic herbs (Götti et al 2014) such as Astragalus, Ginseng, and Cordyceps in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM); Ashwagandha and Pippali in Ayurvedic; and Dandelion root and Gentian root in Traditional European Naturopathy. Common indications for these traditional tonics are including to improve blood circulation, purifying the blood, enhancing stamina and strengthen the immunity system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antioxidant and Anti-Diabetic Status of Popular Malay Health Tonic Consumed for Wellness: Help or Hype?

Zayapor¹,

Abdullah²,

Mustapha³

2020

JSM

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Contemporary Malay health tonics labeled as botanical drinks are advertised in the Malaysian market as effective therapeutic supplements toward improving consumer health. The therapeutic claims associated with high antioxidants are based on the herbal ingredients used, yet unproven by scientific evidence. Moreover, they are mostly sweetened with sugar, which may arise the potential of diabetic risk. Thus, a dire clarification on the potential antioxidant status and diabetic risk of these products is essential to nullify over claims. Eight commercial botanical drinks that serve as health tonics were selected based on their advertisement popularity and traditional medicine sellers' interview feedbacks. The selected tonics were mutually compared with a green tea (DGT01) as the benchmark for their total phenolic content (TPC); antioxidant activities [the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging inhibition capacities, IC 50 ; Ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP); and Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)], anti-diabetic property through the α-glucosidase inhibition (AGI) and as well as the sugar content. The results were mapped for variations using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Three out of 8 health tonics (NS12, SK53, and MU13) has approximately 3 to 4-fold, 1.1-fold and 2.5-fold higher in TPC, ORAC, and FRAP reducing capacities, respectively. Only NS12 and SK53 showed strong AGI (>80% inhibition). Three tonics, NS12, SK53, and HS06 exhibited precaution levels of sugar with more than 180 mg of total sugars per serving. From the PCA, DGT01 was dissociated from any tonic. NS12 and SK23 were closely related in terms of antioxidant and AGI activities. Although they showed promising therapeutic benefits due to high antioxidant activities and low diabetic risk, the tonics' efficacies and safety are still dubious shall be verified by reliable clinical trials. The selection of a health tonic shall not only be based on multi antioxidant-rich ingredients but low in sugar for a healthier choice.

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“…An essay on the concept of tonic [6] provides new insights into a traditional application of herbal medicine. In the section ‘original articles' we are proud to present new research on a rather unknown herbal drug with a long-standing traditional use in Europe [7].…”

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confidence: 99%