Week 2 - Alteratives Flashcards
1
Q
What is an Alterative
A
- 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
2
Q
What is a Depurative?
A
- Herbs with a more specific action of cleansing a particular organ or system (stimulating the emunctory)
3
Q
Indications for Alteratives
A
- Generalized and chronic dysfunction
- Digestive, eliminatory, and circulatory hypofunction
- Maldigestion
- Hormonal imblanace
- “Toxemia”
- Acne
- Chronic infections
- Chronic inflammation
4
Q
Alterative Botanicals
A
- 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
5
Q
Trifolium pratense - Family
A
- Fabaceae (pea/legume family)
6
Q
Trifolium pratense - Part Used
A
- Flower
7
Q
Trifolium pratense - Energetics
A
- Cooling
- Moistening
8
Q
Trifolium pratense - Indications
A
- Cancer
- Gout, arthritis
- Acne
- Spasmodic cough
- Cachexia
- Burns with poor healing
- Ulcers of the skin or mucous membranes
- TB or inflammation of the lungs
9
Q
Trifolium pratense - Contraindications/Cautions
A
- Caution with blood thinners (but unlikely to be a problem)
- Caution with oral contraceptives and estrogen positive cancers
10
Q
Trifolium pratense - Specificity of Seat
A
- Skin
11
Q
Trifolium pratense - Preparation and Dosage
A
- 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)
12
Q
Trifolium pratense - Other
A
- Part of Trifolium Compound (an Alterative formula)
- Part of Hoxsey Formula (similar to other, but water-based instead of alcohol-based): 5 mLs TID
13
Q
Artium lappa - Family
A
- Asteraceae (thistle family)
14
Q
Arctium lappa - Parts Used
A
- Root (primarily)
- Seed
- Leaf
15
Q
Arctium lappa - Energetics
A
- Cooling
16
Q
Arctium lappa - Indications
A
- 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
17
Q
Arctium lappa - Specificity of Seat
A
- Skin
18
Q
Arctium lappa - Preparations and Dosage
A
- 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
19
Q
Mahonia spp. - Family
A
- Berberidaceae
20
Q
Mahonia spp. - Parts Used
A
- Root bark
- Stem bark
21
Q
Mahonia spp. - Energetics
A
- Cooling
- Drying
22
Q
Mahonia spp. - Indications
A
- Skin conditions: psoriasis, eczema, herpes, pityriasis, acne, syphilis
- Poor gallbladder functions: nausea, fat malabsorption, digestive upset
- Infections: skin, eye, and intestinal tract (bacterial, fungal, protazoal)
23
Q
Mahonia spp. - Contraindications/Cautions
A
- Pregnancy
24
Q
Mahonia spp. - Specificity of Seat
A
- Liver
25
Mahonia spp. - Preparation and Dosage
- Tincture: 1 - 4 mL TID (1:5, 40%)
- Decoction: 1 - 2 tsp/cup, 1 cup TID
- Dried root bark: 1 - 2 g per day (if use just peeled bark, maybe 1/4 - 1/2 tsp)
26
Rumex crispus - Family
- Polygonaceae
27
Rumex crispus - Part Used
- Root
28
Rumex crispus - Energetics
- Cooling
29
Rumex crispus - Indications
- Skin conditions (often chronic): psoriasis, eczema, acne
- Lax bowels, constipation
- Liver congestion
30
Rumex crispus - Contraindications/Cautions
- Oxalate kidney stones
- Kidney disease
- Iron overload
- Pregnancy
- Don't eat the leaves - very high in oxalic acid
31
Rumex crispus - Specificity of Seat
- Liver
- GI
- Larynx
32
Rumex crispus - Preparation and Dosage
- Tincture: 1 - 4 mL (1:5, 40%), 2 - 4.5 mL (1:2) daily in divided doses
- Decoction: 1 tsp/cup
- Fluid extract: 2 - 4 mL daily in divided doses
33
Urtica dioica - Family
- Urticaceae
34
Urtica dioica - Parts Used
- Leaf
- Root
- Seed
35
Urtica dioica - Energetics
- Drying
| - Cooling
36
Urtica dioica - Indications
- Leaf
> Skin conditions (often chronic) - psoriasis, eczema, acne
> Allergic rhinitis (use freeze-dried leaf)
- Root
> BPH, diarrhea
37
Urtica dioica - Contraindications/Cautions
- Allergy to nettle
| - Long-term use may cause mucus membrane drying
38
Urtica dioica - Preparation and Dosage
- Leaf:
> Food - cooking or steaming fresh herbs will denature stinging trichomes and is safe for eating
> Dried herb - 8 - 12 g per day
> Tincture - 3 - 6 mL per day (1:2), 7 - 14 mL (1:5)
39
Smilax spp. - Family
- Liliaceae
40
Smilax spp. - Parts Used
- Root
| - Rhizome
41
Smilax spp. - Energetics
- Drying
| - Earthy
42
Smilax spp. - Indications
- Skin conditions
- Rheumatic pain
- Hormonal balance
- Increasing overall resistance to stress
43
Smilax spp. - Contraindications/Cautions
- May increase absorption of digitalis glycosides
- Pregnancy
- Toxicity: large doses may cause GI irritation or even ulceration due to the high saponin content
44
Smilax spp. - Specificity of Seat
- Endocrine balance
45
Smilax spp. - Preparation and Dosage
- Classically prepared as a syrup that was often used as a carrier for other ingredients
- Tincture: 1 - 2 mL (1:5, 60%) TID
- Decoction: 2 - 4 tsp per cup of water, simmer for 5 - 10 minutes
46
Curcuma longa - Family
- Zingiberaceae
47
Curcuma longa - Part Used
- Rhizome
48
Curcuma longa - Energetics
- Cooling (anti-inflammatory)
- Warming (tastes)
- Stimulating
- Moves stagnation
49
Curcuma longa - Indications
- Inflammations of all kinds
- Jaundice
- Liver disorders
- Chronic skin conditions
- Cardiovascular disease
50
Curcuma longa - Contraindications/Cautions
- Pregnancy (large doses)
| - Bile duct obstruction
51
Curcuma longa - Specificity of Seat
- Liver
| - Circulatory system
