Amphoteric is an adjective attributed to plants that have the ability to express one property as well as the opposite property. It can, for example, be laxative and antidiarrheal. Generally speaking, these plants have a normalizing effect. So this plant will be laxative for people with constipation and antidiarrheal for those with diarrhea.
The term amphoteric is borrowed from chemistry to describe molecules that can be both an acid and a base. Water, for example, is amphoteric in chemistry. The term amphoteric comes from the Greek ampho, meaning both at once.
Some examples of amphoteric use in herbalism
The amphocholeretic plant modulates bile flow, increasing or reducing it as needed.
The term amphoteric is also used for plants that regulate certain glands. Like vitex, which has a regulatory effect on the pituitary gland.
Amphoteric expectorants (such as garlic, elderberry and mullein) are plants that can be either stimulating or relaxing expectorants, as required.