Nutritious Spring Tonics!
Early Americana Tonics
Several spring tonics were used by the early North American settlers, both in the U.S. and in Canada. Tonics tended to be simple and focused on readily available plants, which we can still use today.
Dandelion leaves picked while still young and tender were used as a green in salads; cooked like spinach; or dried and made into a refreshing tea.
Both Purple and White Yarrow were used to treat throat and respiratory ailments and as a tonic and stimulant by the early settlers.
Burdock seeds and roots were used by folk doctors as a blood purifier and tonic. Poultices of the crushed leaves were also used to treat poison ivy and insect bites, especially handy when one is out in the wild.
Red Raspberry leaves were used by women as a tea, to both increase and decrease uterine tone. This was particularly useful as a uterine tonic during pregnancy, and for preventing and treating menstrual discomforts and imbalances.
Indian Medicine or Ayurvedic Tonics
In the springtime, the Ayurvedic traditions taught people to eat light but pungent foods to cleanse the system. Drinking Ginger tea or adding Ginger to foods was highly recommended to tone the system. Black Pepper, Cloves, Cinnamon and Cardamon teas and spices are added to meal dishes to help tone the digestion and balance the body system.
Central and South American Tonic
Pimento or Allspice Berry has long been used as a tonic for the digestive system. Used both as a condiment, mixed in food, or as an essential oil, pimento aids in toning the gastrointestinal tract, releasing flatulence, and healing any digestive problems.
Central European Nervine Tonics
A considerable amount of both ancient and modern research has been focused on the discovery of natural remedies to strengthen and feed the nervous system.
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