Alteratives Flashcards
What is an alterative?
nourishing tonics that have a broadly beneficial effect on the body; support a return to a healthy state.
More focused on digestion, absorption and elimination (emunctories).
how to adaptogens relate to alteratives?
Adaptogens have more endocrine effects.
What is a Depurative?
Depurative – herbs with a more specific action of cleansing a particular organ or system (stimulating the emunctory).
Indications for Alteratives
generalized and chronic dysfunction Digestive, eliminatory, and circulatory hypofunction Maldigestion Hormonal imbalance “Toxemia” Acne Chronic infections Chronic inflammation
“Toxemia”
Condition produced by accumulation of putrefactive and otherwise toxic waste products.
Trifolium pratense
Red Clover
Actions: Alterative, Antitumor, Antitussive, Antispasmodic, Phytoestrogenic
Indications for Trifolium pratense
Red Clover
Cancer Cachexia Gout arthritis Burns with poor healing Acne Ulcers of the skin or mucous membranes Spasmodic Cough TB or inflammation of the lungs
Cautions/Contraindications: Trifolium pratense – Red Clover
Caution with blood thinners (But unlikely to be a problem)
Caution with oral contraceptives and estrogen positive cancers.
Hoxsey Formula
Similar to the various Trifolium compound formulas
Basic difference was eclectic formula was alcohol based and Hoxsey formula was water based.
Actions: Arctium lappa
Burdock, Gobo Root
Root: alterative, mild digestive bitter, antitumor, antimutagenic, nutritive, antirheumatic, phytoestrogenic, liver tonic
Leaves: used topically as a antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory poultice
Seeds: alterative, diuretic, urinary tonic, vulnerary
Indication: Arctium lappa
Burdock, Gobo Root
Indications:
Root: DRY, SCALY SKIN CONDITIONS – psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, rheumatic/arthritic conditions, anorexia nervosa, cystitis, wounds and ulcers (poultice).
Leaves: MASTITIS, JOINT SPRAINS (poultice)
Seeds: CYSTITIS, SKIN CONDITIONS including exanthems
“metabolic scenario”: “the liver, the seat of metabolism, is not burning cleanly enough to remove all catabolic waste products, while the kidneys and skin are overburdened or are themselves incapable of removing these waste products. The lymphatics, which assist all these organs, also enter the picture. They may be pictured as getting slowly congested as, perhaps, a sort of haze of incomplete metabolites float around in the tissues.“
NOURISH THE LIVER –> improvement in metabolism, stimulating lymphatic functioning –> nourishment to and cleansing cells of metabolic byproducts, and by stimulating the excretion of urine through the kidneys, which aids in the elimination of the wastes stirred up by its other actions.
Mahonia spp. (Berberis spp.)
Oregon Grape
Actions: alterative, digestive bitter, anticatarrhal, antimicrobial, cholagogue, mild laxative.
Specificity of Seat: LIVER
Indications: Mahonia spp. (Berberis spp.)
Oregon Grape
Indications:
Skin conditions – psoriasis, eczema, herpes, pityriasis, acne, syphilis.
Poor gallbladder function – nausea, fat malabsorption, digestive upset
Infections: skin, eye, and intestinal tract (bacterial, fungal and protazoal)
Contraindications: Pregnancy
Rumex crispus
Yellow Dock
Actions: alterative, digestive bitter, nutritive (high in iron), cholagogue, mild laxative, GI tonic, calms irritation of the larynx in chronic cough.
Specificity of Seat: Liver, GI, larynx
Indications: Rumex crispus
Yellow Dock
Skin conditions – chronic skin conditions - psoriasis, eczema, acne
Lax bowels, constipation
Liver congestion
Contraindications/Cautions: oxalate kidney stones, kidney disease, iron overload, pregnancy
