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Since I have been talking, writing, formulating and teaching about adaptogens for decades, it’s been gratifying to see this class of herbs become better understood, and more widely known in the mainstream media. Another category of herbs I often discuss is “alteratives” which are also poorly understood.
The concept and belief in the benefit of alterative substances was common in both orthodox medical practice and sectarian medicine (Eclectics and Physio-medicalists) throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 1819 London Medical Dictionary, Bartholomew Parr defines an alterative (from the Latin altoros, meaning to change), as a substance that corrects “acrimony in the blood.” Even as late as the 1930's, dispensatories and materia medicas still included alterative remedies. By the 2nd World War in the 1940’s, the use of this term and the use of alterative agents had, for the most part, disappeared from orthodox medical practice, although Herbalists and Naturopathic physicians continued to use these substances as an important part of their therapeutic regimens.
The meaning of the rather nebulous term “alterative” has changed over the centuries. Originally, they were used to remove blood dyscrasias (a taint in the blood), which referred primarily to syphilis. Later, the term became synonymous with “blood purifier,” which is not accurate as no herb directly purifies the blood. Today many books state that an alterative is an herb “that alters an unhealthy state to a healthy state.” Isn’t that pretty much what all herbs do? If that was a valid definition, every herb would be an alterative.
My definition is that an alterative is a substance that produces a gradual beneficial change in the body by improving the body’s processes of eliminating metabolic wastes via two or more of the major eliminatory organs (lungs, lymph, skin, kidney, liver, and large intestines) thus decreasing the metabolic load and improving the body's natural ability to heal and function in a healthy manner. They do not cleanse the blood, but support the function of the organs that do.
Classic Alterative Formulas Combine alteratives of different strengths of action:
• Mild Alteratives
• Moderate Alteratives
• Stronger Acting Alteratives
I often will include an alterative herb as one component in a formula because it works with the other herbs synergistically.
But I have several formulas that are primarily alteratives:
Alterative Compound promotes lymphatic, liver, bowel, and kidney function: Buckthorn bark (Rhamnus spp.), Burdock root (Arctium lappa), Red Clover flower (Trifolium pratense), Bladderwrack seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus), Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Oregon Grape root (Berberis aquafolium), Poke root (Phytolacca americana), Turmeric rhizome (Curcuma longa) , Prickly Ash bark (Zanthoxylum americanum), Quassia wood (Picraena excelsa)
Burdock / Red Root Compound is an alterative formula used to gently enhance normal elimination function. It primarily enhances lymphatic and bowel activity, while clearing “blood heat.” Hydroalcoholic extracts of Burdock root (Arctium lappa), fresh Echinacea root (Echinacea purpurea), Figwort herb (Scrophularia nodosa), Red Clover blossoms (Trifolium pratense), fresh Red Root (Ceanothus americanus), fresh Violet herb (Viola sororia), and vegetable glycerin.
Healthy Skin Tonic nourishes the skin and promotes healthy liver, bowel and kidney function, which is the foundation of healthy skin. The herbs contains minerals, especially silica which is essential for beautiful skin. Hydroalcoholic extracts of Sarsaparilla root (Smilax regelii), Yellow Dock root (Rumex crispus), Burdock seed (Arctium lappa), Horsetail herb (Equisetum arvense), Red Alder bark (Alnus rubra) and vegetable glycerin.
Eli Jones’ Compound Syrup of Scrophularia - Practitioner Only The great Eclectic physician Eli Jones, MD created this powerful alterative formula, which has been used for over a hundred years to enhance the body’s process of eliminating metabolic waste via the liver, bowel, lymph, kidney and skin. Figwort fresh herb (Scrophularia nodosa), Yellow Dock fresh root (Rumex crispus), Poke fresh root (Phytolacca americana), Burdock Seed (Arctium lappa), Corydalis yanhusuo rhizome (C. yanhusuo), Juniper berry (Juniperus communis), water extract of Mayapple root (Podophyllum peltatum), Guaiac wood (Guaiacum officinale), Prickly Ash bark (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis), Peppermint essential oil in a Black Cherry sucanat syrup.
Scudder’s Alterative - Practitioner Only This Formula was developed by the renowned Eclectic physician, John M. Scudder, MD. Figwort fresh herb (Scrophularia nodosa), Red Alder bark (Alnus rubra), Yellow Dock fresh root (Rumex crispus), Corydalis Yanhusuo rhizome (C. yanhusuo), Black Cherry sucanat syrup and water extract of Mayapple root (Podophyllum peltatum).
For any of our practitioner and wholesale customers wanting to dig more deeply into alteratives, you can view the January 2022 Herbal Salon.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
This blog is intended as an informational guide. The remedies, approaches and techniques described herein are meant to supplement, not be a substitute for, professional medical care or treatment. They should not be used to treat a serious ailment without prior consultation with a qualified health care professional.
