What is an alternative?

Alternatives are herbs that will restore proper body function and increase health and vitality. They generally act to alter the body’s metabolism processes so that the body can heal itself. These work in a variety of ways, from helping with nutrition to elimination. Many of these types of herbs improve the body’s ability to eliminate waste through the kidneys, liver, lungs, or skin.

Alternative medications can be safely used in many diverse conditions as supportive remedies, but should be thought of first when chronic inflammatory or degenerative conditions are present. These would include skin diseases, various types of arthritis, and the broad category of autoimmune problems.

Alternatives for different parts of the body.

There are certain herbs that are well suited to different body systems.

Circulatory system:

The actions of these herbs are not specific to this system, but they will aid in circulation, which helps the body function at its best. The lymphatic aspect of this system is aided by Cleavers, Poke Root, Chaparral, and Echinacea.

Respiratory system:

The main Alterants for the lungs and the Respiratory System as a whole are Mullein, Blood Root, Licorice, Garlic and Golden Seal.

Digestive system:

Alteratives that will act on the liver, pancreas and other digestive organs are of great importance in phytotherapy. A small selection would include Blue Flag, Burdock, Bogbean, Fringetree, Garlic, Nettles, Sarsaparilla, and Yellow Dock.

Urinary system:

Many herbalists who use these herbs as diuretics are also urinary alteratives. These possibly include Buchu, Cleavers, and Bearberry.

Reproductive system:

General types of alternatives are valuable for this system, but specific alternatives that help this system are Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, False Unicorn Root, Golden Seal, Raspberry leaves, and Saw Palmetto.

Muscles and skeletons:

Many alternatives are important here, including Black Cohosh, Bogbean, Bladderwrack, and Burdock.

Nervous system:

By helping the body to be whole, all Alteratives help a tense nervous system, but Poinsettia and Red Clover are especially useful as Alteratives with a nervous action.

Skin:

The skin system is where most of the alternatives are used, so the list of herbs is extensive. Alternatives often used for the skin include burdock, cleavers, echinacea, figwort, fumitoria, mountain grape, red clover, sarsaparilla, and yellow dock.

Alternative Herbs

Black Cohosh-Blood Root-Blue Flag-Bogbean-Bardana-Chaparral-Cleavers-Echinacea-Figwort-Fringetree-Fumitory-Garlic-Guaiacum-Golden Seal-Mountain Grape-Nettles-Pasque Flower-Poke Root-Queen’s Delight-Red Clover-Sarsaparilla -Sassafras-Wild Indigo-Yellow Dock

Alternatives and their Secondary Actions

Anti-catarrhal action:

Echinacea, Garlic, Goldenseal, Nettles, Poke Root, Wild Indigo

Anti-inflammatory action:

Blue Flag, Bogbee Bean, Blades, Golden Seal, Guaiacum, Sarsaparilla

Antimicrobial action:

Bloodroot, Buchu, Chaparral, Echinacea, Garlic, Goldenseal, Pasque Flower, Poké Root, Wild Indigo

Antispasmodic action:

Black Cohosh, Blood Root, Garlic, Poinsettia, Red Clover

Astringent action:

Golden Seal, Nettles

Bitter Action:

Bogbean, Burdock, Goldenseal

Diaphoretic:

Garlic, Queen’s Delight, Sarsaparilla, Guaiacum

diuretic action:

Blue Flag, Bogbean, Buchu, Burdock, Cuchillas, Nettles, Sarsaparilla, Guaiacum

emmenagogue action:

False Unicorn Root, Black and Blue Cohosh

expectorant action:

Blood Root, Mullein, Red Clover

Hepatic action:

Blue Flag, Bogbee Bean, Burdock, Garlic, Golden Seal, Fringetree, Mountain Grape, Poke Root, Yellow Dock

Hypotensive action:

Black cohosh, garlic, nettles

nerve action:

Black Cohosh, Poinsettia, Red Clover

Vulnerable Action:

Blades, Gold Seal