Substance that acts to restore, balance, tone, strengthen, or invigorate a body system without overt stimulation or depression.
Exerts a restorative or stimulant action on the body.
Substance taken to strengthen the body or a particular system of the body, generally in the treatment of chronic disease. Loosely, a tonic “tones” whatever system it affects.
A medicinal or psychological remedy that is invigorating, strengthening, or toning to an organ or to the body as a whole.
An herb that stimulates some part of the body. An herb that provides nutrition to some part of the body.
A substance taken to strengthen and prevent disease, especially chronic disease. Formerly, tonics were widely available both as over-the-counter and prescription formulas. Unfortunately, the increased sophistication of medicine has led to the abandonment of preventative or strengthening approaches that utilize the innate abilities of an organism (like ourselves) to right itself with a little prodding in the correct direction. The last several decades have seen increased focus on disease-at-a-time medicine, with more and more patients receiving treatment at acute care facilities like hospitals and clinics, circumstances that delegate against preventative or tonic approaches.
In the West, an ambiguous term referring to a substance thought to have an overall positive medicinal effect of an unspecified nature. In Asian cultures, an herb having a sweet flavor and fortifying effect on various organs and functions of the body.
A drug or an agent given to improve the normal tone of an organ or of the patient generally.
A substance that maintains or restores health and vigour (usually taken over a lengthy period) Topical application – external application (on the skin).
Strengthens and enlivens the whole or specific parts of the body.
Restores strength to the whole system and helps different organs.
Supports proper functioning of bodily systems or organs; it is often paired with the name of a body part such as liver, heart, etc. These are safe to take long-term and often work best when taken for months at a time.
In psychology and physiology, pertaining to muscle tension or contraction.
An agent that promotes general health and well-being, improves any organ system, and builds energy, blood, and chi.
Continuous muscular contraction; often used to describe seizure activity.
These are placebos and may be used in conditions for which there is no known remedy, to strengthen and support the patient. These include various mineral and vitamin supplements.
A substance which invigorates or strengthens the system. Often tonics act as stimulants and alteratives.
Part of a collection of treatments designed to alleviate symptoms like discomfort, sluggishness, and reduced appetite. Available evidence indicates that tonics primarily produce a placebo response. This term is also employed as an adjective to describe aspects such as muscle tone. For example, the term “tonic neck reflex” pertains to one of the primitive reflexes observed in newborn infants.
Relating to or promoting normal muscle tone; characterized by tension, contraction, or spasm; a substance that restores or maintains normal tone in a part of the body or in the entire organism.
A type of medication believed to have strong effects in enhancing the body’s health. In reality, these so-called tonics are typically bitter or have a stimulating effect and do not possess the extensive pharmacological benefits often attributed to them by patients. Many physicians are of the opinion that tonics, as they are popularly understood, do not exist.
Revitalizes the entire system and supports various organs.