Chinese medicinal herbs were first classified by the Emperor Shen Nong according to their

therapeutic properties and relative safety.

1. Tonic Herbs (also known as Royal or Ruler Herbs) are the highest class of herbs. Tonic herbs

are not considered as medicine, rather they are treated as highly nutritious foods. They are

completely safe if properly used and can be consumed as often as desired.

2. Minister Herbs are used to correct minor unbalances in the body. These herbs have both

medicinal and preventive properties. Though relatively safe, the choice of which herbs to use

must be chosen carefully.

3. Assistant Herbs are powerful herbs capable of correcting major unbalances. Most assistant

herbs are highly toxic and should not be used unless prescribed by a TCM practitioner. This is

the lowest class of herbs and are used only as a last resort.

Only a few herbs are used singularly. Most herbal treatments require additional herbs to

increase the potency of the primary herbs, to neutralize side effects and to direct the action

towards specific organs. Top

Tonic Herbs

Only a select group of less than a hundred herbs are regarded as tonic herbs. Tonic herbs are

"super-foods" which benefit our well-being in ways which the common foods cannot. They have a

protective, balancing and vitalizing quality beyond that of ordinary herbs or foods. For

centuries, they supply rare and unique nutrients to complement a well-balanced diet.

While most tonic herbs are rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids, they are especially

valued for their bionutrients. Rarely found in foods, these substances benefit the body in

special ways. Researchers have found bionutrients in tonic herbs that exhibits anti-aging,

memory- enhancing and cholesterol-lowering properties. Some bionutrients are extremely potent

antioxidants, others aid in the absorption and utilization of nutrients from foods.

Many tonic herbs are adaptogens, substances that help bring the body into a state of balance.

This is usually achieved through the stimulation of the body's immune and healing functions.

Tonic herbs have the unique ability to adjust its actions to the body's needs. They could act

as a stimulant or induce a restful sleep. Herbs that exhibit such properties are rare and are

highly prized.

The very best tonic herbs provide a broad range of health benefits, but they are definitely not

a "cure-all" solution. However, TCM believes that for a type of unbalance, ill health can be

manifested in many ways. This means that several seemingly different problems can have the same

root cause. Thus, a tonic herb that can help the body overcome this type of unbalance should be

of benefit to a number of problems.

Today, many important tonic herbs are becoming more readily available to consumers. Ginseng,

ganoderma, cordyceps, astragalus, polygonum and dang gui are no longer regarded as exotic

remedies. While these herbs have always been available as whole dried herbs, modern consumers

prefer to take them as capsules and tablets, tinctures and even as beverages and candies.

Quality and quantity of the tonic herbs contained in such products vary widely and the consumer

must choose carefully.

The first health care claim of deer velvet antler to be substantiated by scientific evidence, in compliance with US Food and Drug Administration dietary supplement regulations, was announced by the North American Elk Breeders Association (NAEBA) recently. Executive Director Ben Coplan said the determination, made by two consulting firms hired by NAEBA, Nutrinfo of Watertown, Massachusetts and Tradeworks Group, Inc. of Brattleboro, Vermont, is a significant breakthrough for the nation's 1,400 breeders of farm-raised elk.

According to Coplan, the Nutrinfo report states there is a reasonable basis to claim that velvet antler helps relieve the symptoms of arthritis. However, a disease claim may not be used for a dietary supplement in the US; therefore, the acceptable statement for product labels and advertisements of a dietary supplement would be "provides nutritional support for joint structure and function."

"This determination, by two of the leading dietary supplement firms in the world, is "just what the doctor ordered" for the members of our growing agricultural industry," Coplan said.

Many studies have shown most of the carbohydrate in antler is proteoglycan, which is a combination of protein and carbohydrate. The carbohydrate portion is primarily glycosaminoglycan, of which chondroitin sulfate is by far the predominant constituent. One study cited by the Nutrinfo report evaluated the clinical efficacy of chondroitin sulfate in knee osteoarthritis. Treatment with 3 X 400 mg doses per day for 90 days provided significant relief from symptoms as reported by patients. "We intend to research and substantiate other health benefit claims for velvet antler," Coplan said.

"We want to carefully research the potential benefits of velvet antler supplements for supporting the immune system, anti-aging, muscle strength and endurance, and sexual vitality."

Deer velvet antler has been highly regarded in traditional oriental medicine for two thousand years. It is consumed regularly by people of Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong as a highly prized medicinal drug to treat blood loss, weakness, and chronic joint pain. Scientific studies in Canada and New Zealand are now verifying the health benefits of this important supplement.

"The scientific-backed health benefit claim will greatly expand marketing opportunities for velvet antler dietary supplements in the United States," Coplan stated.

The FDA in the United States regulates claims for dietary supplements through a process, which is different than for medicinal drugs; it does not "approve" dietary supplements, but allows producers to substantiate structure/function claims through critical review of scientific studies.

In North America, farmers and ranchers raise approximately 110,000 elk, the largest of the deer family. Historically, the velvet antler harvested by North American farmers has been exported to Asian countries. As the natural foods and dietary supplement market has expanded in the U.S., farmers have turned their attention to the domestic market. Association headquarters is in Platte City, Mo.Copies of the scientific report on velvet antler are available from the NAEBA office.From: North American Elk Breeders Association