Category | Action | Specifics |
cleansers | remove wastes & pollutants from tissues and organs, minimally affecting actual processes of the body | drain excess pathogenic influences with laxatives, purgatives, diuretics, sweating (diaphoretic) to dispel pathogen at surface, dispersing herbs to remove stagnation (coumarin, oleoresins) |
heroics(forcing remedies) | blast through energy blocks & dramatically move or inhibit energy in the bioenergetic channels | used when there are seriouly imbalanced energies, thin line between toxic & therapeutic dose, taken for a very short time |
specifics | perform a particular job for a limited time; fine-tune biochemical processes, move or regulate energy in bioenergetic channels to remove stagnancy & redistribute energy in excess conditions | moderately active stimulants, must be given in lesser amounts, 10 days on, 3 days off - up to 3 cycles, add tonic if longer treatment is needed |
tonics | nourish & support body processes and systems; well-tolerated,do not force body to change; normalizing effect on body systems | alteratives or roborants (TEM), superior herbs (TCM), taken for at least 3 months, preferably 6 months to a year, large margin of safety |
stimulant tonics | gentle, slow stimulants that invigorate and strengthen the body & its processes | stimulate functions of body in low doses, invigorate & increase efficiency of an organ, system or function |
nutritive tonics | provide nutrients the body can utilize for its functions or in the repair process | sweet herbs or foods used to nourish a body tissue, organ, system or function |