I’ve been thinking lately about trophorestoratives. This is a word that is not well known outside of the herbal community. Even as I am typing this my spellcheck is trying to tell me that I have spelled it wrong. Don’t know what word it thinks it should be but no matter. A random check of a couple of online dictionaries do not find the word.
I love words. I love language. Many of my favourite jokes involve wordplay. Mark Twain is credited with saying that the “difference between the right word and the almost right word is like the difference between ‘lightening’ and ‘lightening bug'” A trophorestorative is an herb that acts to restore not only optimal function but optimal structure as well. The prefix “tropho” is from ancient Greek and means nourishment. We might call an herb with this action a tonic, we might call it an adaptogen. There are subtle differences in action though.
For me to call an herb a tonic is to imply a broad spectrum of action. The whole body is restored. A trophorestorative has a specific organ with which it resonates. An example would be milk thistle and the liver. Hawthorn and the heart. St John’s Wort and the nervous system. These herbs are often amphoteric – meaning that they respond to individual organ states and respond accordingly. So if you need to power down a bit that is what will happen. If you need to power up it will happen. No I cannot explain this.
“Trophorestorative plants may preserve our reserve and induce the ability of organs to successfully return to their original physiological state following repeated episodes of biochemical, physical, and emotional stress.” Kevin Spelman.
These herbs are nutritive. They are safe to use for extended periods of time. They seldom have side effects. Trophorestoratives nourish and restore. Their actions last even after their use is discontinued. If I take an herb as a diuretic I will urinate more frequently. Once I discontinue use of the herb I will stop having to run to the bathroom. Trophorestoratives are like refinishing a fine piece of antique furniture.
These are troubled times. To embrace life as I believe we were put here to do, to walk the path that leads to the fulfillment of our destiny we need strength and resilience. These herbs can be our helpers and our healers.