Alteratives Flashcards
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
Family: Fabaceae
Part used: flower
Energetics: cooling and moistening
Actions: alterative, antitumor, antitussive, antispasmodic, phytoestrogenic
Indications: cancer, gout, arthritis, spasmodic cough, cachexia, burns with poor healing, acne, ulcers of skin or mucous membranes, TB or inflammation of the lungs
Cautions/CI: with blood thinners, oral contraceptives and estrogen positive cancers
Burdock, Gobo Root
Arctium lappa
Family: Asteraceae
Part used: root, also seed and leaf
Energetics: Cooling
Actions:
root- alterative, mild digestive bitter, anti tumor, antimutagenic, nutrative, antirheumatic, phytoestrogenic, liver tonic
leaves- used topically as antimicrobial anti-inflammatory poultice
seeds- alterative, diuretic, urinary tonic, vulnerary
indications:
root- dry and scaly skin conditions- psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, rheumatic/arthritic conditions, anorexia, cystitis, wounds and ulcers
leaves- mastitis, joint sprains
seeds- cystitis, skin conditions
uses: alterative especially indicated in conditions of dry, scaly cutaneous eruption, roots and leaves useful in rheumatism and gout
Oregon Grape
Mahonia spp.
Family: Berberidaceae
Part used: root bark and stem bark
Energetics: cooling and drying
Actions: alterative, digestive bitter, anticatarrhal, antimicrobial, cholagogue, mild laxative
specificity of seat: liver
Indications: skin conditions, poor gallbladder function, infections
CI: pregnancy
Yellow Dock
Rumex crispus
Family: Polygonaceae
Part used: root
Energetics: cooling
Actions: alterative, digestive bitter, nutritive, cholagogue, mild laxative, GI tonic, calms irritation of the larynx in chronic cough
Specificity of seat: liver, GI, larynx
Indications:
chronic skin conditions- psoriasis, acne, eczema
lax bowels, constipation, liver congestion
Specific indications: chronic skin diseases, irritative dry cough, chronic sore throat
CI: oxalate kidney stones, kidney disease, iron overload, pregnancy
Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioica
Family: Urticaceae
Part used: leaf, root, seed
Energetics: drying
Actions:
leaf- alterative, nutritive, anti-inflammatory, urinary tract tonic
root- astringent, anti inflammatory, multiple influences of hormone transformation related to BPH
Indications:
leaf- chronic skin conditions- psoriasis, eczema, acne
Allergic rhinitis
root- BPH, diarrhea
CI- allergy to nettle
Sarsaparilla
Smilax spp.
Family: Liliaceae
Part used: root, rhizome
Energetics: drying, earthy
Actions: alterative, antirheumatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, adaptogenic
Specificity of seat- endocrine balance
Indications: skin conditions, rheumatic pain and hormonal balance, increasing overall resistance to stress
CI: pregnancy, may increase absorption of digitalis glycosides
Toxicity: large doses may cause GI irritation or even ulceration due to high saponin content
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Family: Zingiberaceae
Part used: rhizome
Energetics: cooling, warming, stimulating, moves stagnation
Actions: alterative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, cholagogue, choleretic, emmenagogue, lowers cholesterol, carminative, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, vulnerary.
Specificity of seat: liver, circulatory system
Indications: inflammations of all kinds, jaundice, liver disorders, chronic skin conditions, cardiovascular disease
CI: in large doses in pregnancy, in bile duct obstruction
What is an alterative?
An herb that alters the body in a non-specific but broadly beneficial way
• Traditionally conceived of as a “blood purifier” or “blood
cleanser”
• Nourishing, restorative tonics
• Often food like in character but more focused on digestion,absorption and elimination.
• Differs from Adaptogens which have more endocrine
effects.
How do Alteratives differ from depuratives?
Alteratives – nourishing tonics that have a broadly
beneficial effect on the body, and that slowly and steadily support a return to a healthy state.
●Depurative – herbs with a more specific action of
cleansing a particular organ or system (stimulating the emunctory).
●For example – Petroselinum seed has a more specific
action as a diuretic, and, thus, would better be described as a urinary tract depurative.
what are some general indications for alteratives?
●generalized and chronic dysfunction. ●Digestive, eliminatory, and circulatory hypofunction ●Maldigestion ●Hormonal imbalance ●“Toxemia” ●Acne ●Chronic infections ●Chronic inflammation
what are the major alterative botanicals we learned in class?
- Trifolium pratense - Red Clover
- Smilax spp. - Sarsaparilla
- Rumex spp - Yellow Dock, Curly Dock
- Mahonia spp - Oregon Grape, Barberry, Mahonia
- Arctium lappa – Burdock
- Curcuma longa - Turmeric
- Urtica dioica - Stinging Nettles
what are the main actions and indications of red clover- trifolium pratense?
Actions:
Alterative and tissue specific lymphagogue for the liver
anti tumor, anti tussive
phytoestrogenic
Indications:
specificity of seat in the skin- used for acne, ulcers of the skin or mucous membranes, burns with poor healing, TB or inflammation of the lungs, spasmodic cough
anti tumor effects- used in cancer, gout, arthritis
nutrient content and stimulation of digestion- used in cachexia
what are the major actions and indications of burdock- arctium lappa
Actions:
root- alterative, mild digestive bitter, liver tonic
leaves- used topically as a antimicrobial, anti inflammatory poultice
seed- alterative, diuretic, urinary tonic
Indications:
root: dry and scaly skin conditions- psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, rheumatic/arthritic conditions, cystitis, wounds and ulcers
leaves: mastitis, joint sprains
seeds: cystitis
what are the major actions and indications of Mahonia spp.- Oregon Grape?
actions:
alterative, digestive bitter, anti microbial
specificity of seat in the liver
Indications:
skin conditions- psoriasis, acne, eczema, herpes, syphilis
poor gallbladder function- nausea, fat malabsorption, digestive upset
infections- skin, eye, GI tract
what are the major actions and indications of Rumex crispus- Yellow Dock?
Actions:
alterative, digestive bitter, nutritive, cholagogue, GI tonic, calms irritation of the larynx in chronic cough
specificity of seat- liver, GI, larynx
Indications:
skin conditions- psoriasis, eczema, acne
lax bowels, constipation
liver congestion
