What is an Alterative Herb PLUS a Balancing DIY Tea Formulation Blend
Herbs have specific “actions” on our bodies, and when you get to know what these are, it becomes easier to decide which herbs to use and for what reason. One of the actions herbs can have is to be “alterative.”
Awhile back I wrote about adaptogenic herbs (and how to make brain candy), what they are, and why they are so very valuable. Well, I would say alterative herbs are as necessary for our health and balance as adaptogens in many cases.
If you remember, an adaptogen is an herb that helps the body adapt to various stressors, whether physical, emotional, or mental. An alterative is an herb that helps different systems in the body “alter” and reach balance and health. This is a simplistic definition, so let’s explore what an alterative is in further detail and how to use them for your wellness
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Stinging Nettles have been used since ancient times as a health tonic as well as for medicinal use.
What is an Alterative Herb? How to Use Alteratives in Your Daily Health
Often known as “blood purifiers” or “detoxifiers,” alteratives don’t really act directly on the blood to purify or detoxify it. Instead, an alterative works on the body system or the organ in question, and this in turn helps the body become more balanced, the blood freer of toxins, and the body organs simply work better by improving metabolic actions.
There are a variety of different definitions of what the herbal action “alterative” means from well-known herbalists. Let’s take a look at some of these, and find some commonalities:
Rosemary Gladstar, my first herbal teacher from the Science & Art of Herbology, has been teaching others about using herbs for health for over 40 years. She’s a star in the herbal world and the author of my favorite book to recommend for folks new to learning about herbs: Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide.
Here is what she has to say about alteratives:
“Commonly referred to as Blood Purifiers.” These are agents that gradually and favorably alter the condition of the blood. They aid the body in assimilating nutrients and eliminating metabolic waste products: Neutralizes acidic conditions in the body: Aids in protein assimilation. Generally extremely high in minerals and some vitamins.”
David Hoffman, author of The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical Herbalism and The Complete Herb Sourcebook states:
“Alteratives are herbs that will gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality. They were at one time known as ‘blood cleansers.’ …Their mode of action on the body is not understood, but their value in holistic health care cannot be doubted. In broad terms they act to alter the body’s processes of metabolism so that tissues can best deal with the range of functions from nutrition to elimination.”
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All of the following quotes are from an email written by Jim McDonald, a Michigan herbalist, about alteratives. He hosts the website, www.herbcraft.org, and is well-known in the herbal world. According to him, these famous herbalists state:
Michael Moore, an herbalist with a charming personality and the author of some of my favorite foraging books (such as Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West and many others) says:
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…”
Michael Tierra, author of The Way of Herbs, states:
“These are agents that gradually and favorably alter the condition of the body. They are used for treating toxicity of the blood, infections, arthritis, & skin eruptions. Alteratives also help the body to assimilate nutrients and eliminate waste products of metabolism. The choice of alterative depends on matching the accompanying properties of the herb with the specific nature of the condition being treated.”
John William Fyfe, M.D.:
“Alteratives produce gradually such a change in the functions of organs as to permit a healthy action to take the place of disease.”
Jim McDonald (in the same email as the quotes above) states:
“I would describe alteratives as herbs that ‘feed and nourish the body to promote ~systemic harmony~ . What this means is that they get the individual organs and systems of the body working in tune with each other, which in turn improves the functioning of the whole. … Each individual alterative also has special affinities. If we learn about these herbs, we can discover what these are and use these specific indications to create blends to address individual circumstances. For example, nettles & oats nourish the adrenals, and can help to focus on that area if it is a significant factor in the imbalance…. Being a little more specific, though, I generally identify alteratives as herbs that strengthen health by nourishing the body and promoting both assimilation and detoxification by imrpoving metabolism. They can be, then, described as ‘metabolic tonics’.”
Essentially, alteratives somehow help our body systems work together for a healthier metabolism and will strengthen systems and organs. By acting on our bodies in this way, alteratives help us utilize the nutrients in our foods and help our organs remove the wastes that are byproducts of these natural processes.
“THIS is why using alteratives on a regular basis is better than ‘detoxing’ every few months.” (McDonald)
The bottom line on alteratives is that they should be made a regular part of our daily habits. Of course, we can choose alteratives that will specifically address a certain organ or system, but regular use will help keep us balanced.
Dandelion’s sunny face is not only cheerful, but this is an herb for your health!
A Short List of Common Alterative Herbs
There are many, many herbs that will have an alterative action on the body, so I’m going to keep this list to the main ones most of us are familiar with. If you know of one that should be added, please let me know in the comments section!
I’m including the herb as well as the part of the body the actions of the herb primarily act upon:
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): General skin problems, including eczema. Supports healthy female hormone balance. Here’s a recipe for a wonderful anti-itch salve using red clover.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis): Overall nutritive and body support and lymphatic herb. Click here for an ultimate guide on Calendula.
Burdock (Arctium lappa): Skin issues, including eczema & psoriasis; kidney function, and especially liver function. The inulin it contains is also excellent as a support for healthy gut microbiome. Find out more about burdock here. And here’s a video on YouTube you can watch about burdock.
Cleavers (Galium aparine): Useful as a lymphatic tonic, and cleavers supports healthy urinary system function.
Nettles (Urtica dioica): Useful as a liver tonic and supports the entire body. It’s helpful for seasonal allergies, and kidney function. (Find out how to make and use Nettle Powder here.)
Mullein (Verbascum sp.): One of my favorite herbs, and is supremely useful for the respiratory system, specifically. Mullein is also supportive of the musculoskeletal system.
Buchu (Agathosma betulina): Helpful for the urinary system.
Dandelion (Taraxacum oficinale): Another wonderful liver and kidney tonic herb. The leaves have an affinity for the kidneys and the roots have an affinity for the liver. Here’s a recipe for dandelion lotion. You might also enjoy this delicious recipe for Dandelion Pesto!
Calendula is a favorite herb for so many uses, both external and internal.
Using Alterative Herbs
Since alteratives are primarily balancing herbs and generally high in nutritional value, they are usually considered safe to use regularly with a few exceptions. I always say: Do your research and be sure to find at least three reputable sources that back each other up, because there is a lot of “hooey” out there these days.
Most alteratives can be used in tea blends or tinctured in blends or singles. In fact, I love to add nettle leaves to my tea blends, just because they are such a nutritious and liver supporting herb. I also love to use many of these in my cooking, like my Nettle Powder.
Recipe for a Healthy & Nutritious Alterative Tea Blend for Balance in Your Body:
2 parts Dandelion leaves
3 parts Nettle leaves
1 part Red Clover
2 parts Marshmallow leaves & flowers
2 parts Ginger Root (dried chips)
NOTE: If you’d like more flavor, you could substitute a part or two of peppermint or lemon balm with one of the parts of nettle, or just add them for flavor without substitutions.
Just blend all the parts together, and enjoy your tea!
You can learn how to make the perfect tea infusion in this article. You might also enjoy this recipe for Liver Tonic Tea, as well.
If you’d like to learn how to formulate your own tea blends, you’ll enjoy this article or this eBook, How to Create Your Own Herbal Teas for Pleasure & Health (recipes included).
Buying your herbs: The links above are to Amazon for your convenience, but I also love to buy my herbs from Starwest Botanicals.
Many common “weeds” like burdock actually have some powerful medicinal qualities!
Click here and enjoy my FREE Five-Day Herbal Foundations Course and start making home remedies today! You can save the emails if you need time to catch up!
Final Thoughts on Alterative Herbs
One thing is quite clear: Alterative herbs have a wide range of uses, and there are a LOT of them. Remember that herbs have more than one single action most of the time. Therefore an herb can be an alterative while also being a diuretic, for example.
This category of herbs is highly valued for general health and metabolism. Who wouldn’t want to add a few of these herbs to their daily diet, especially through a delicious tea?
You may also enjoy my series on How to Start Using Herbs, OR simply sign up for my FREE 5 day beginning herbalism email course. :
Part 1: Which Herbs to Start With, Are Herbs Safe?, How to Source Your Herbs, How to Dry & Store Herbs
Part 2: Herbal Safety and General Dosing Guidelines
Part 3: An Overview of Herbal Preparations and Herbalist’s Tools
Part 4: Herbal Water Infusions Taken Internally (Teas, Medicinal Infusions, and Decoctions)
Part 5: Other Herbal Extracts (Tinctures, Acetums, and Glycerites)
Part 6: Sweeter Herbal Extracts (Infused Honeys, Oxymels, and Herbal Syrups)
Part 7: Herbal Powders (Powdered Herbs, Capsules, and Electuaries)
Part 8: Infused Oils, Liniments, Salves, & Balms
Part 9: Herbal Washes, Fomentations, Compresses, & Poultices
Part 10: How to Formulate Your Own Teas or Tinctures Using the Three Point Triangle
And that’s all for alteratives for now. I hope you’ll consider adding them to your daily diet!
Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel! Between the Healing Harvest Homestead website (which is where you are now) and the YouTube channel, there are hundreds of herbalism and aromatherapy and natural living articles and videos!
Hugs, Health, and Self-Reliance,
Heidi
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Find out what an alterative herb is, why you need to add these to your daily diet, plus an herbal tea recipe for balance, nutrition, and metabolic support. Be heatlhy, and use herbs! #herbaltea #useherbs #alterativeherbs #homeremedy #plantmedicine #howtomake #nutrition #tea #metabolism #health #healingharvesthomestead
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. Any and all statements I make in print or word are for informational purposes only and not meant to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. Please be sure to seed advice from your medical professional before using herbs or essential oils. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Resources:
https://www.henriettes-herb.com/archives/best/2003/alteratives.html (Jim McDonald email)
Gladstar, Rosemary. The Science & Art of Herbalism course materials
Hoffman, David. The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical Herbalism
http://herbcraft.org/classes.html
https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/meet-herbalist-jim-mcdonald
https://www.facebook.com/139321718691/posts/alteratives-the-misunderstood-herbslast-week-in-my-two-year-herb-studies-program/10153970890268692/