Causing a favorable change in the disordered functions of the body or metabolism
A term applied in naturopathic, Eclectic, and Thomsonian medicine to those plants or procedures that stimulate changes of a defensive or healing nature in metabolism or tissue function when there is chronic or acute diseases. The whole concept of alteratives is based on the premise that in a normally healthy person, disease symptoms are the external signs of activated internal defenses and, as such, should be stimulated and not suppressed. Sambucus (Elder), as an example, acts as an alterative when it is used to stimulate sweating in a fevered state. Without a fever or physical exertion, Sambucus tea will increase intestinal, lung, and kidney secretions. With fever or exercise, the buildup of heat from combustion, and the dilation of peripheral blood supply, it takes the defense response to the next stage of breaking a sweat. You might have sweated eventually anyway, but you may be one of those people who doesn’t perspire easily, and a diaphoretic such as Sambucus will act as an alterative for you by stimulating the next stage of defenses sooner than you would have on your own. The term alterative is sometimes inaccurately used as a synonym for “blood purifier,” particularly by nature-cure neo-Thomsonians such as Jethro Kloss and John Christopher. “Blood purifier” is a term better applied to the liver, spleen, and kidneys, not to some dried plant.
corrects disordered bodily function.
“Medicines that alter the process of nutrition, restoring in some unknown way the normal functions of an organ or system . . . re-establishing healthy nutritive processes” (Blakiston Medical Dictionary)
They are blood cleansers that favourably change the character of the blood and lymph to de-toxify and promote renewal of body tissue. The term has been superseded by the word ‘adaptogen’. See: ADAPTOGEN. However, since the majority of professional phytotherapists still use the term ‘alterative’, the term ‘alterative’ is used through this book to describe the particular action of the group which includes:–
Alfalfa, Bladderwrack, Blue Flag root, Burdock, Chaparral, Chicory, Clivers, Dandelion, Devil’s Claw, Echinacea, Garlic, Ginseng, Goldenseal, Gotu Kola, Marigold, Mountain Grape, Nettles, Poke root, Queen’s Delight, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla, Thuja, Turkey Corn, Wild Indigo, Yellow Dock.
English traditional formula: equal parts, Burdock, Red Clover, Yellow Dock. Place quarter of the mixture in 2 pints water; simmer gently down to 1 pint. Dose: one-third-half cup thrice daily, before meals. Effects are to enhance elimination through skin, kidneys and bowels; to provide hormone precursors, electrolytes and minerals. The above combination may also be taken in liquid extracts, tinctures or powders. ... alteratives
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