Week 2 - Alteratives Flashcards
What is an Alterative
- Nourishing tonics that have a broadly beneficial effect on the body, and that slowly and steadily support a return to a healthy state
- Not disease specific
- Differs from Adaptogens, which have more endocrine effects
What is a 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 imblanace
- “Toxemia”
- Acne
- Chronic infections
- Chronic inflammation
Alterative Botanicals
- Trifolium pratense - Red Clover
- Rumex spp. - Yellow Dock, Curly Dock
- Mahonia spp. - Oregon Grape, Barberry, Mahonia
- Smilax spp. - Sarsaparilla
- Arctium lappa - Burdock (Gobo Root)
- Curcuma longa - Turmeric
- Urtica dioica - Stinging Nettles
Trifolium pratense - Family
- Fabaceae (pea/legume family)
Trifolium pratense - Part Used
- Flower
Trifolium pratense - Energetics
- Cooling
- Moistening
Trifolium pratense - Indications
- Cancer
- Gout, arthritis
- Acne
- Spasmodic cough
- Cachexia
- Burns with poor healing
- Ulcers of the skin or mucous membranes
- TB or inflammation of the lungs
Trifolium pratense - Contraindications/Cautions
- Caution with blood thinners (but unlikely to be a problem)
- Caution with oral contraceptives and estrogen positive cancers
Trifolium pratense - Specificity of Seat
- Skin
Trifolium pratense - Preparation and Dosage
- Tincture: 2 - 6 mL per day of a 1:5 tincture of 25% EtOH
- Infusion/decoction: 1 to 2 tsp per cup, 2 - 4 cups per day
- Standardized extract to 25% isoflavones: 40 - 80 mg per day (Promensil)
Trifolium pratense - Other
- Part of Trifolium Compound (an Alterative formula)
- Part of Hoxsey Formula (similar to other, but water-based instead of alcohol-based): 5 mLs TID
Artium lappa - Family
- Asteraceae (thistle family)
Arctium lappa - Parts Used
- Root (primarily)
- Seed
- Leaf
Arctium lappa - Energetics
- Cooling
Arctium lappa - Indications
- Root > Dry and scaly skin conditions - psoriasis, eczema, dandruff > Rheumatic/arthritic conditions > Anorexia nervosa > Cystitis > Wounds and ulcers (as a poultice) - Leaves > Mastitis > Joint sprains (as a poultice) - Seeds > Cystitis > Skin conditions including exanthema
Arctium lappa - Specificity of Seat
- Skin
Arctium lappa - Preparations and Dosage
- Tincture (root): 2 - 4 mL (1:5, 40%) TID, fluid extract 2- 6 mL (1:1, 25%) TID
- Decoction (root): 1 tsp/cup, 3 cups per day
- Seeds: 3 - 9 g qd, infusion - 35 - 40 ground seeds per cup of water, 1/2 - 1 cup up to 6x/day
Mahonia spp. - Family
- Berberidaceae
Mahonia spp. - Parts Used
- Root bark
- Stem bark