Alteratives

Question 1

What is an alterative?

Answer 1

Nourishing tonics that have a broadly beneficial effect on the body, and that slowly and steadily support a return to a healthy state

Question 2

What is a depurative?

Answer 2

Herbs with a more specific action of cleansing a particular organ or system, as compared to the more broad effect of an alterative

Question 3

What are the indications for an alterative?

Answer 3

Generalized and chronic dysfunction
Digestive, eliminatory, and circulatory hypofunction
Chemical hypersensitivity
Maldigestion
Hormonal imbalances
Toxemia
Acne
Chronic infxns/inflammation

Question 4

Red Clover - Latin name, energetics, and part used

Answer 4

Trifolium pratense
Cooling
Flower

Question 5

Yellow Dock - Latin name, energetics, and part used

Answer 5

Rumex spp.
Cooling
Root

Question 6

Oregon Grape - Latin name, energetics, and part used

Answer 6

Mahonia spp.
Cooling, drying
Root and stem bark

Question 7

Sarsaparilla - Latin name, energetics, and part used

Answer 7

Smilax spp.
Drying, earthy
Root and rhizome

Question 8

Burdock - Latin name, energetics, and part used

Answer 8

Arctium lappa
Cooling
Root (primarily) seed and leaf sometimes

Question 9

Turmeric - Latin name. energetics, and part used

Answer 9

Curcuma longa
Cooling, warming, stimulating, moves stagnation
Rhizome

Question 10

Stinging Nettle - Latin name, energetics, and part used

Answer 10

Urtica dioica
Drying
Leaf, root, seed

Question 11

Actions and Indications of Red Clover

Answer 11

Actions: Alterative, antitumor, antitussive, antispasmodic, phytoestrogenic
Indications: CA, gout/arthritis, acne, spasmodic cough, cachexia, poor healing burns, ulcers, TB, lung dz

Question 12

How is Red Clover usually prepared and dosed?

Answer 12

Tincture: 2-6ml/day for 1:5
Infusion: 1-2tsp/cup with 2-4c/day
Standardized extract: 40-80mg/day

Question 13

What are the actions of Burdock?

Answer 13

Root: alterative, digestive bitter, antitumor, antimutagenic, nutritive, antirheumatic, phytoestrogenic, liver tonic
Leaf: topical antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory poultice
Seed: alterative, diuretic, urinary tonic, vulnerary

Question 14

What are the indications for the use of Burdock?

Answer 14

Root: dry, scaly skin conditions, rheumatic complaints, anorexia, cystitis, wounds and ulcers, liver metabolism is diminished
Leaf: mastitis, joint sprains
Seed: cystitis, skin conditions, lowering blood sugar

Question 15

How is burdock prepared and dosed?

Answer 15

Root tincture: 2-4ml 1:5 TID
Fluid Extract: 2-6ml 1:1 TID
Decoction: 1tsp/cup, 3c/day
Seed: 3-9g infusion

Question 16

What is the action of Oregon Grape?

Answer 16

Alterative, digestive bitter, anticatarrhal, antimicrobial, cholagogue, mild laxative

Question 17

What are the indications of use for Oregon Grape?

Answer 17

Skin conditions - psoriasis, eczema, herpes, pityriasis, acne, syphilis
Poor GB fx - nausea, fat malab., digestive upset
Infection - skin, eye, and GI

Question 18

When is Oregon Grape contraindicated?

Answer 18

Pregnancy

Question 19

How is Oregon Grape prepared and dosed?

Answer 19

Tincture: 1-4ml TID 1:5
Decoction: 1-2tsp/cup, 1c TID
Dried: 1-2g/day

Question 20

What are the actions of Yellow Dock?

Answer 20

Alterative, digestive bitter, nutritive, cholagogue, mild laxative, GI tonic, calms irritation of the larynx in chronic cough

Question 21

What are the indications for use of Yellow Dock?

Answer 21

Skin - psoriasis, eczema, acne

GI - lax bowels, constipation, liver congestion

Question 22

When is Yellow Dock contraindicated for use?

Answer 22

Oxalate kidney stones, kidney dz, iron overload, pregnancy

Question 23

How is Yellow Dock prepared and dosed?

Answer 23

Tincture: 1-4ml TID 1:5
Decoction: 1tsp/c
Fluid extract: 2-4ml

Question 24

What are the actions of Stinging Nettle?

Answer 24

Leaf - alterative, nutritive, anti-inflammatory, urinary tract tonic
Root - astringent, anti-inflammatory, hormone transformation related to BPH

Question 25

What are the indications for use of Stinging Nettle?

Answer 25

Leaf - psoriasis, eczema, acne, allergic rhinitis | Root - BPH, diarrhea

Question 26

When is Stinging Nettle contraindicated?

Answer 26

Allergy to Nettle

Question 27

How is Stinging Nettle prepared and dosed?

Answer 27

Food: cooking or steaming fresh herb will denature the stinging trichomes and is safe for eating Dried herb: 8-12g/day Tincture: 3-6ml/day 1:2; 7-14ml/day 1:5

Question 28

What are the actions of Sarsaparilla?

Answer 28

Alterative, antirheumatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, adaptogenic

Question 29

What are the indications for the use of Sarsaparilla?

Answer 29

Skin conditions, rheumatic pain, hormonal balance, stress resistance

Question 30

What are the contraindications for Sarsaparilla use?

Answer 30

May increase the absorption of digitalis glycosides, pregnancy

Question 31

How is Sarsaparilla prepared and dosed?

Answer 31

Tincture: 1-2ml 1:5 TID Decoction: 2-4 tsp/cup of water - simmer for 5-10min

Question 32

What are the actions of Turmeric?

Answer 32

Alterative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, cholagogue, choleretic, emmenagogue, lowers cholesterol, carminative, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, vulnerary

Question 33

What are the indications for the use of Turmeric?

Answer 33

Inflammations of all kinds, jaundice, liver d/o, chronic skin conditions, CVD

Question 34

What are the contraindications of Turmeric use?

Answer 34

In large doses during pregnancy, bile duct obstruction