ALTERATIVES IN HERBAL FORMULAS



Stinging nettles

Herbal formulas for chronic problems often include an alterative in addition to an adaptogen and one or more specifics.  Alteratives are important for recovery from long-standing organ dysfunction because they gently restore normal function. Common alteratives available for home medicine making and taking include mullein (see Biennials) in fields or red clover (Trifolium pratense) in the yard for the respiratory system. Gastrointestinal alteratives include chickweed (Stellaria media) in the yard and garden or nettles (Urtica dioica) in the woods. Cleavers (Gallium aparine) in fields or motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) in the garden or fields improve cardiovascular function. The urinary system is is normalized by nettles or dandelion leaf. The aerial parts (leaves, stems, or flowers) of each of these plants can be taken as tea or tincture to help restore organ function in the recovery from chronic illnesses.


HERBALIST'S NOTE: Before medicinal use of any plant, further study in a materia medica is recommended to be familiar with it's diversity of effects. My favorites are Medical Herbalism by David Hoffman, The Earthwise Herbal by Matthew Wood, and Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians by Patricia Kyritsi Howell.  

Chickweed on January 1, 2012



Red clover



Motherwort

In last week’s post I let slip that I’m using holy basil as the adaptogen in my formula for a chronic runny nose with occasional wheeze. Since the wheeze occurs when I’m emotionally stressed, we chose motherwort as my alterative because it is a nervine sedative like most mints in addition to having smooth muscle relaxant properties to facilitate breathing and circulation. Last summer Shannon and I were ecstatic to find a patch in a nearby meadow where we walk the dog, and so far this winter it has survived a half dozen hard frosts and a couple snows here in the central Appalachians.

So my herbal formula now includes holy basil as an adaptogen and immune tonic and motherwort as a cardiovascular alterative and nervine sedative. Now I need to add herbs that are specific for the runny nose and wheeze. Do you know of any? Please help me out by entering your recommendation in the Comments section below.

Motherwort surviving a late December frost

DOCTOR’S NOTE: Avoid red clover when taking blood thinners or when there is a bleeding disorder because it has anticoagulant properties which could make bleeding worse.