Following the Christmas and New Year celebrations it’s a good idea to give your body a little extra support in readiness for the challenges ahead and to replenish depleted reserves.

After all the festivities your body can feel sluggish and low in energy. In Chinese medicine terms, this is commonly due to the depletion of the body’s Yin energy from excessive indulgence in rich food and alcohol as well as late nights and generally overdoing things. Common symptoms include fatigue, soreness and weakness in the lower back and legs, light-headedness, dizziness, irritability, mild anxiety and depression, poor concentration, night sweats, insomnia, unrefreshed sleep, dry skin, dry or sore throat, hot palms and flushing of the face. In Chinese herbalism this syndrome is defined as "Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency".

The Liver and the Kidney meridian systems serve as the basic reserve of Yin energy, which is said to nourish and revitalise the cells, tissues, organs and systems of the entire body. It is believed that abundant reserves of Yin energy fortify all the biochemical and physiological processes of the body and provide the foundation for healthy physical and mental activity as well as balanced emotions. In turn, this allows for the free flow of Qi (pronounced "chee") or expendable energy derived for air, food and water, which invigorates and animates the body and its organ functions.

Good reserves of Yin energy and free flowing Qi, together with well nourished Blood and ample physical and mental drive (Yang energy) helps restore health, promotes resilience and manifests as vitality.

Examples of herbs to tonify the Yin, Qi, Blood and Yang are as follows: -

1. Yin tonics include Ligustrum or Chinese Privet berries, Poria mushroom, Schizandra berries, Rehmannia root, Codonopsis root and Lycii fruit

2. Qi tonics include Panax Ginseng root, Atractylodes root and Codonopsis root

3. Blood tonics include Polygonum root, Rehmannia root and Lycii fruit

4. Yang tonics include Cinnamon bark and Schizandra berries

When properly combined into a balanced whole body tonic these herbs: -

 enhance vitality and wellbeing;

 increase resistance to illness;

 provide energy;

 relieve tension and mild anxiety;

 improve resistance to stress and illness;

 aid digestion and the assimilation of nutrients;

 tonify the Liver;

 enhance the elimination of waste;

 gently activate metabolism;

 promote circulation;

 strengthen ligaments and tendons;

 support brain function;

 improve sight and sense perception; and

 provide antioxidants

Finally, for best results when taking Chinese tonic herbs it is recommended that people exercise regularly, eat fresh wholesome foods, drink adequate pure water, practice relaxation and maintain healthy relations with family and friends.