Alterative

Definition of an alterative plant

Alterative plants act primarily on the metabolism to improve several functions such as nutrition and toxin elimination. They are highly effective for many integumentary problems and arthritic and autoimmune diseases. These plants work slowly, but deeply.

Slow, sustained action to restore territories and restore health. Through its metabolic action, which works on the whole body, an alterative plant enables deep cleansing by expelling toxins thanks to effective, non-violent draining active ingredients.
Danièle Laberge #ref:118#

This once-popular property is less frequently used in recent editions. Today, there is relatively little literature on this property. Perhaps a sign of the times, when we’re looking for plants that act quickly and spectacularly. Yet the alterative property is very useful for dermatological problems (acne, eczema, psoriasis, etc.), various forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and autoimmune and liver diseases. According to The Arthritis Society, 1 in 5 people suffer from an arthritis-related disease. That’s how much we benefit from knowing about it!

Today, we more often speak of the depurative, diuretic and anti-arthritic properties of these same plants. While an alterative plant does indeed often include these properties, the term alterative also implies a long-term restoration of the functions / organs at the source of the problems.

Alterative plants

For this property, I’ve ranked the plants according to the frequency with which the property is named. The alterative property is not one where more potent is always better. As with depurative plants, starting to use a powerful alterative plant at a high dose exposes us to a healing crisis. Also, for chronic illness or long-term use, it’s better to use milder plants. On the other hand, if you don’t get the desired result with a mild plant, you can gradually try more powerful dosages. The key words being gradual and listening to yourself.

Plant	References (where the property is cited)	Strength ⭐ soft ⭐⭐⭐ powerful	Affinity with the musculoskeletal system	Affinity with the integumentary system
Burdock(Arctium lappa)	#ref:44##ref:55##ref:67##ref:70##ref:118##ref:119##ref:122#	⭐⭐	⭐	⭐
Echinacea(Echinacea spp.)	#ref:44##ref:70##ref:119##ref:120##ref:122#	⭐		⭐
Dandelion(Taraxatum officinal)	#ref:67##ref:71##ref:118##ref:119##ref:122#	⭐⭐		⭐
Red clover(Trifolium pratense)	#ref:67##ref:70##ref:118##ref:119##ref:122#	⭐⭐		⭐
Curled sorrel(Rumex crispus)	#ref:44##ref:55##ref:67##ref:119##ref:122#	⭐⭐	⭐	⭐
Goldenseal(Hydrastis canadensis)	#ref:44##ref:67##ref:119##ref:122#	⭐⭐		⭐
Iris(Iris vesicolor)	#ref:44##ref:67##ref:71##ref:122#	⭐⭐⭐	⭐
Scrofula(Scrofularia nodosa)	#ref:44##ref:55##ref:118##ref:122#	⭐⭐		⭐
Bedstraw (Cleavers)(Galium aparine)	#ref:44##ref:55##ref:70##ref:122#	⭐⭐		⭐
Black cohosh(Actaea racemosa)	#ref:44##ref:67##ref:70#	⭐	⭐
Garlic(Allium sativum)	#ref:44##ref:120##ref:122#	⭐
Artichoke(Cynara cardunculus)	#ref:70##ref:119##ref:120#	⭐
Calendula(Calendula officinalis)	#ref:44##ref:118##ref:122#	⭐		⭐
Wild pansy(Viola tricolor)	#ref:44##ref:67##ref:118#	⭐		⭐
Licorice(Glycyrrhiza glabra)	#ref:55##ref:71##ref:122#	⭐	⭐

For your own good… go and read the plant sheet

As much as possible, I try to offer a hyperlink for each plant proposed. This link opens a plant file that gives information about the crop. But pay particular attention to the use tab where information is given on how to use the plant safely (methods of use, safe doses, precautions, interactions, properties). Naturally, if you have a complicated medical condition, this sheet won’t be enough and you’ll need to consult a professional herbalist or pharmacist. But even if you’re in good health, for your own safety, take the time to get to know the plants before using them. They’re natural, but they’re also powerful.

A healing crisis is a temporary worsening of symptoms after the start of treatment.

It’s the body that reacts to a change in diet that’s too drastic and tells us to slow down. However, a worsening of symptoms can also be a sign that the plant is not right for us or that there has been a misdiagnosis.

Discuss the situation with the person who recommended the treatment or re-read the literature to check whether side effects are common with your treatment. Make sure you’re not having an allergic reaction. Allergies tend to increase with use so symptoms such as redness, itching, itchy eyes, hoarseness or nasal congestion should tip you towards a plant from another family.

If, after a return of the initial symptoms, you decide to continue treatment, reduce the dose drastically and pay even closer attention to your body’s signs; if it reacts well, only then can you increase the dose.

Active ingredients with alterative properties

I’ve sometimes seen saponins identified as responsible for the alterative property, and it’s true that they are found in several plants with this property. That said, this is not an absolute rule. And given the difficulty research has had in explaining how it works, for me it’s really a property that involves the totality of the plant, and not the fact of a specific compound.

Alterative plants: the right uses

Issues: Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Anti-arthritic plants naturally come to mind first but their action can be supported by the following complementary properties:
– Anti-inflammatory: reduces not only pain, but also joint degeneration;
– Alterative: reduces long-term symptoms and helps to “unwind” (or reduce morning symptoms);
– Analgesic: reduces discomfort;
– Antispasmodic: helps relax muscles and reduce degeneration caused by the impact of spasms;
–Nervine: reduces anxiety and helps sleep when pain prevents sleep.

Plants useful internally: yarrow(Achillea millefolium), angelica(Angelica archangelica), black cohosh(Cimicifuga racemosa), burdock(Arctium lappa), blackcurrant(Ribes nigrum), turmeric(Curcuma longa), ginger(Zingiber officinal), feverfew(Tanacetum parthenium), devil’s claw(Harpagophytimi procumbens), nettle(Urtica dioica), meadowsweet(Filipendula ulmaria), willow(salix spp.).

Photo credit: Esther Max

Issue: Fibromyalgia

There is no specific property for fibromyalgia (nor is there a cure that promises complete recovery). That said, here too, alterative and anti-inflammatory plants are recommended. The following properties are also sought:
– Analgesic: reduces discomfort;
– Antispasmodic: reduces muscular tension, often at the root of the problem;
– Rubefacient (externally): activates local circulation and brings oxygen and nutrients to tissues;
– Diuretic and anti-arthritic: often brings relief to diffuse arthritic pain;
– Nervine: can stimulate, calm or help sleep as needed.

Internally useful plants: black cohosh(Cimicifuga racemosa), angelica(Angelica archangelica), wintergreen(Gaultheria procumbens), swollen lobelia(Lobelia inflata), nettle(Urtica dioica), pimbina(Viburnum opuls), Aswagandha(Withania somnifera),
meadowsweet(Filipendula ulmaria), willow(Salix spp.).

Issue: Acne

Because acne is visible on the skin, we quickly think of external treatment for which we use the following properties:
– Antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial: to cleanse the skin and prevent infection;
– Astringent and anti-inflammatory: to tighten pores and prevent the formation of sebum pockets;
–Oral modulator: helps hormones return to normal if they are causing acne.
– Vulnerary: to heal lesions.
But to avoid recurrence, we accompany these topical treatments with internal herbs which promote the elimination of toxins through the following properties: alterative, diuretic, lymphatic and hepatic tonic.
Adaptogens and hormone regulators can also be used.

Externally useful plants: tea tree(Melaleuca alternifolia), witch hazel(Amamelis virginiana), soapwort(Saponaria officinalis), lavender(Lavandula angustifolia), thyme(Thymus vulgaris).
Useful for internal use: bedstraw(Galium aparine), fumitory(Fumaria officinalis), dandelion(Taraxacum officinale), ashwagandha(Withania somnifera), vitex(Vitex agnus castus), red clover(Trifolium pratense), scrofularia(Scrofularia nodosa), licorice(Glycyrrhiza glabra), curled sorrel(Rumex crispus), Vitex or Chaste tree(Vitex agnus-castus)..
Plants for internal and external use: burdock(Arctium lappa), calendula(Calendula officinalis), German chamomile(Matricaria recutita), Baikal skullcap(Scutellaria baicalensis), echinacea(Echinacea spp), wild pansy(Viola tricolor).

Photo credit: Sharon McCutcheon

Issue: Eczema

To reduce itching there are antipruritic plants and emollient plants. They are accompanied by plants with the following properties:
– Alterative, depurative, draining, hepatic: cleanse the blood;
– Mineralizing, alkalizing: regulate pH;
– Nervine: reduces anxiety, sometimes the cause of eczema.
And healing/vulnerary plants: for healing.
Eczema is a persistent problem and it’s often necessary to review one’s diet and identify and reduce chemical irritants and allergens to reduce the chances of recurrence.

Internally useful plants: burdock(Arctium lappa), fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), goldenseal(Hydrastis canadensis), nettle(Urtica dioica), wild pansy(Viola tricolor), scrofularia(Scrophularia nodosa), red clover(Trifolium pratense).
Externally useful plants: calendula(Calendula officinalis), goldenseal(Hydrastis canadensis), plantain major(Plantago major).

Photo credit: BruceBlaus

Issue: (prevention) Cirrhosis of the liver

Hepatoprotective plants are very useful when liver tissue degeneration occurs. Here are some other allied properties:

– Antioxidant: prevents the formation of free radicals that damage tissues through oxidation;
– Analgesic, soothing, antispasmodic: reduces discomfort;
– Liver depurative: cleanses the liver, which acts as a blood filter;
– Liver alterative and tonic: support healing.
Note: cirrhosis of the liver is a serious problem that cannot be treated by self-medication alone; discuss your plan of action with your doctor. Liver depurative, hepatic and antioxidant herbs are also useful for prevention.

Warning

In the case of serious disorders or chronic illnesses, consult a doctor.

Self-diagnosis and self-medication are dangerous.

Unless specifically indicated, the uses described are for plants and do not apply to essential oils.

Before consuming a plant: make sure you identify it correctly, and always read the “Precautions and interactions with medicines” leaflet in the associated plant files.

Dosages are given for guidance only and are suitable for adults unless otherwise specified.

Despite all the care taken in writing this article, an error may have crept in. We cannot be held responsible for any consequences or misinterpretation, as no article can replace medical advice. For more information on the safe use of plants, read: Safe use of plants as allies in your health.