L3 Herbal Actions: Alteratives

Question 1

Alteratives

What is the old name for alteratives?

Answer 1

Depuratives

Question 2

Alteratives

How do alteratives work?

Answer 2

They act on the mechanisms which purify (filter, clean) the blood

Question 3

Alteratives

How does Echinacea qualify as an alterative?

Answer 3

By promoting and activating phagocytosis to remove pathogens in the lymph

Question 4

Alteratives

What are the organs primarily affected by alterative actions?

Answer 4

Liver
Kidneys
Lymph nodes

Question 5

Alteratives

Arctium lappa has an affintity for which other organ?

(as well as liver and kidneys)

Answer 5

Skin

Question 6

Alteratives

Garlic

Cleans up blood circulation
Lowers BP
Reduces cholesterol
Immune stimulant
Antimicrobial, antiviral

Answer 6

Allium sativum

Question 7

Alteratives

Burdock root

Answer 7

Arctium lappa

Question 8

Alteratives

Mountain grape root

Contains berberine so effective in T2 diabetes

Useful digestive stimulatant
Cholagogue
Digestive antiseptic (disturbed bacterial balance)

Answer 8

Berberis aquifolium

Question 9

Alteratives

Barberry bark

Contains berberine so effective in T2 diabetes

Useful digestive stimulatant
Cholagogue
Digestive antiseptic (disturbed bacterial balance)

Answer 9

Berberis vulgaris

Question 10

Alteratives

Echinacea

whole plant
most useful alterative
known for being an ‘immune booster’ but more correctly a lymphatic alterative

Answer 10

Echinacea purpurea/angustiafolium

Question 11

Alteratives

Cleavers

lymphatic cleanser

Answer 11

Galium aperine

Question 12

Alteratives

Poke root

advanced herbal use only

Answer 12

Phytolacca americana

Question 13

Alteratives

Yellow dock

Excellent alterative,
works through the liver
Good for skin conditions (acne, psoriasis)
Nutritive (high iron in root)

Answer 13

Rumex crispum

Question 14

Alteratives

Dandelion

Use root and leaf
Root: liver, cholagogue (for bile)
Leaf: effective bitter tonic

Answer 14

Taraxacum officinale

Question 15

Alteratives

Red clover

general purpose alterative
used in NA traditions
also a mild sedative
oestrogenic properties

Answer 15

Trifolium pratense

Question 16

Alteratives

Nettle leaf

excellent alterative
also a nutritive, antihistimine
Root: prostrate
Seeds: kidney regenerative

Answer 16

Urtica dioica

Question 17

Alteratives

Marigold flowers

Used by french herbalists for liver detoxification
Also for cleansing lymph

Answer 17

Calendula officinalis

Question 18

Alterative

Rose petals

cooling to the liver,
good for hormone balancing (improves way liver detoxs hormones)

Answer 18

Rosa damascena

Question 19

Alteratives

Bearberry

good kidney cleanser antispeptic

Answer 19

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Question 20

List some herbs with Alterative actions

Answer 20

• Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
• Rose petals Rosa damascena
• Marigold flowers Calendula officinalis
• Nettle leaf Urtica dioica
• Red clover Trifolium pratense
• Dandelion Taraxacum officinale
• Yellow dock Rumex crispum
• Poke root Phytolacca americana
• Cleavers Galium aperine
• Echinacea Echinacea purpurea/angustiafolium
• Barberry bark Berberis vulgaris
• Mountain grape root Berberis aquifolium
• Burdock root Arctium lappa
• Garlic Allium sativum