Alterative
What is an Alterative?
Alteratives are herbs that will gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality. This sounds very unclear, and their mode of action on the body is not understood, but their value in holistic health care cannot be doubted. In broad terms they act to alter the body's processes of metabolism so that tissues can best deal with the range of functions from nutrition to elimination. Many of the herbs with this action improve the body's ability to eliminate waste from the body through the kidneys, liver, lungs, or skin. Others work by stimulating digestive function or are anti-microbial, whilst others just work!
Alteratives are herbs that will gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality. This sounds very unclear, and their mode of action on the body is not understood, but their value in holistic health care cannot be doubted. In broad terms they act to alter the body's processes of metabolism so that tissues can best deal with the range of functions from nutrition to elimination. Many of the herbs with this action improve the body's ability to eliminate waste from the body through the kidneys, liver, lungs, or skin. Others work by stimulating digestive function or are anti-microbial, whilst others just work!
The idea of a blood cleanser, whilst hinting at much says little at all. If the blood was indeed in need of cleansing then there would be a major medical emergency afoot. Immunological research on secondary plant products is leading to some interesting suggestions for the basis of the alterative action. Saponins are known to have many properties, including that of immuno-modulation. They appear to have a profound yet little understood modulating effect upon the reticulo-endothelial system and the white cell macrophages of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). It is the MPS that removes much of the waste matter from the blood, in other words it "cleanses" the blood. This sounds like the classic alterative activity! Saponin containing herbs have also been shown to stimulate the production of interferon in the body. Remember, however, that the specifics of plant activity are the result of the whole plant upon the human body and not simply that of specific "active ingredients".
Alteratives can be used safely in many diverse conditions as supportive remedies, but should be thought of first where chronic inflammatory or degenerative conditions exist. These would include the skin diseases, various types of arthritis and the wide category of auto-immune problems.
Alteratives for Different Parts of the Body
Each system of the body has plants that are particularly suited to it, some of which are alteratives. Here we shall see which remedies act as primary alteratives for each of these systems. Other remedies can have such an action as has already been pointed out, but we shall limit ourselves to those most often indicated. How they can be used will be considered in the sections on each system.
Each system of the body has plants that are particularly suited to it, some of which are alteratives. Here we shall see which remedies act as primary alteratives for each of these systems. Other remedies can have such an action as has already been pointed out, but we shall limit ourselves to those most often indicated. How they can be used will be considered in the sections on each system.
Circulatory system: The alterative action is not one that is specifically for this system, but by the nature of this group of herbs, they will aid circulation by helping the whole body to work at its peak. The lymphatic aspect of this system is aided by Cleavers, Poke Root, Chaparral and Echinacea.
Respiratory system: The main alteratives for the lungs and Respiratory system as a whole are Mullein, Blood Root, Liquorice, Garlic and Golden Seal.
Digestive system: All the alteratives that work on the liver, pancreas and other organs of the digestive system are of great importance in the whole of herbal medicine. A small selection would include Blue Flag, Burdock, Bogbean, Fringetree, Garlic, Golden Seal, Nettles, Sarsaparilla and Yellow Dock.
Respiratory system: The main alteratives for the lungs and Respiratory system as a whole are Mullein, Blood Root, Liquorice, Garlic and Golden Seal.
Digestive system: All the alteratives that work on the liver, pancreas and other organs of the digestive system are of great importance in the whole of herbal medicine. A small selection would include Blue Flag, Burdock, Bogbean, Fringetree, Garlic, Golden Seal, Nettles, Sarsaparilla and Yellow Dock.
Urinary system: Some of what herbalists call diuretics could be described as urinary alteratives. These possibly include Buchu, Cleavers, and Bearberry.
Reproductive system: The general alteratives are always of value but specifics are Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, False Unicorn Root, Golden Seal, Raspberry leaves, and Saw Palmetto.
Muscles and Skeleton: Many alteratives are important here including Black Cohosh, Bogbean, Bladderwrack, and Burdock.
Nervous system: By helping the body to be whole, all alteratives aid the strained nervous system, but Pasque Flower and Red Clover are especially helpful as alteratives with a nervine action.
Reproductive system: The general alteratives are always of value but specifics are Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, False Unicorn Root, Golden Seal, Raspberry leaves, and Saw Palmetto.
Muscles and Skeleton: Many alteratives are important here including Black Cohosh, Bogbean, Bladderwrack, and Burdock.
Nervous system: By helping the body to be whole, all alteratives aid the strained nervous system, but Pasque Flower and Red Clover are especially helpful as alteratives with a nervine action.
Skin: The list could include all those below plus many more. This is the system where alteratives are most often used. It is important to remember that in holistic herbalism there are rarely specific plants that are indicated, rather the need to aid and support the whole body in its return to health. Alteratives often used for the skin are Burdock, Cleavers, Echinacea, Figwort, Fumitory, Mountain Grape, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla and Yellow Dock.
Alterative Herbs
Black Cohosh Cimicifuga racemosa
Blood Root Sanguinaria canadensis
Blue Flag Iris versicolor
Bogbean Menyanthes trifoliata
Burdock Arctium lappa
Chaparral Larrea divaricata
Cleavers Galium aparine
Echinacea Echinacea spp.
Figwort Scrophularia nodosa
Fringetree Chionanthus virgincus
Fumitory Fumaria officinalis
Garlic Allium sativum
Guaiacum Guaiacum officinalis
Golden Seal Hydrastis canadensis
Mountain Grape Berberis aquifolia
Nettles Urtica dioica
Pasque Flower Anemone pulsatilla
Poke Root Phytolacca decandra
Queen's Delight Stillingia sylvatica
Red Clover Trifolium repens
Sarsaparilla Smilax spp.
Sassafras Sassafras albidum
Wild Indigo Baptisia tinctoria
Golden Seal Hydrastis canadensis
Mountain Grape Berberis aquifolia
Nettles Urtica dioica
Pasque Flower Anemone pulsatilla
Poke Root Phytolacca decandra
Queen's Delight Stillingia sylvatica
Red Clover Trifolium repens
Sarsaparilla Smilax spp.
Sassafras Sassafras albidum
Wild Indigo Baptisia tinctoria
Yellow Dock Rumex crispus
Alteratives & their Secondary Actions
Anti-Catarrhal : Echinacea, Garlic, Golden Seal, Nettles, Poke Root, Wild Indigo
Anti-Inflammatory : Blue Flag, Bogbean, Cleavers, Golden Seal, Guaiacum, Sarsaparilla
Anti-Microbial : Blood Root, Buchu, Chaparral, Echinacea, Garlic, Golden Seal, Pasque Flower, Poke Root, Wild Indigo
Anti-Spasmodic : Black Cohosh, Blood Root, Garlic, Pasque Flower, Red Clover
Astringent : Golden Seal, Nettles
Bitter : Bogbean, Burdock, Golden Seal
Demulcent :
Diaphoretic : Garlic, Queen's Delight, Sarsaparilla, Guaiacum
Diuretic : Blue Flag, Bogbean, Buchu, Burdock, Cleavers, Nettles, Sarsaparilla, Guaiacum
Emmenagogue : False Unicorn Root, Black & Blue Cohosh
Expectorant : Blood Root, Mullein, Red Clover
Hepatic : Blue Flag, Bogbean, Burdock, Garlic, Golden Seal, Fringetree, Mountain Grape, Poke Root, Yellow Dock
Hypotensive : Black Cohosh, Garlic, Nettles
Diaphoretic : Garlic, Queen's Delight, Sarsaparilla, Guaiacum
Diuretic : Blue Flag, Bogbean, Buchu, Burdock, Cleavers, Nettles, Sarsaparilla, Guaiacum
Emmenagogue : False Unicorn Root, Black & Blue Cohosh
Expectorant : Blood Root, Mullein, Red Clover
Hepatic : Blue Flag, Bogbean, Burdock, Garlic, Golden Seal, Fringetree, Mountain Grape, Poke Root, Yellow Dock
Hypotensive : Black Cohosh, Garlic, Nettles
Nervine : Black Cohosh, Pasque Flower, Red Clover
Vulnerary : Cleavers, Golden Seal
Vulnerary : Cleavers, Golden Seal
Alteratives & their System Affinity
Cardiovascular : Garlic
Respiratory : Garlic
E.N.T. : Golden Seal
Digestive : Garlic, Golden Seal, Yellow Dock
Urinary : Cleavers
Reproductive : Black Cohosh
Lymphatic : Cleavers, Echinacea, Nettles, Red Clover
Nervous : Black Cohosh
The Skin : Burdock, Cleavers, Nettles, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla
Musculo-Skeletal : Bogbean, Guaiacum, Nettles, Sarsaparilla
The herbalist by David Hoffman, (c)1993 David Hoffman, Hopkins Technology
3Rings Web Services
