6 Benefits of Alterative Herbs

Sonee Singh
Jul 10, 2017 · 4 min read

Alterative herbs work to restore health and proper function to the body, and they do this by supporting the kidneys, liver, lungs, and skin (Hoffman, 2003). Their efficacy is demonstrated through studies, as well as collective knowledge gained from traditional use. Burdock (Arctium lappa), garlic (Allium sativum), red clover (Trifolium pratense), yellow dock root (Rumex crispus), and plantain (Plantago major) are well known alterative herbs.

How Alterative Herbs Work

Alterative herbs support health by regulating the body’s metabolism, and bring back a balanced and healthy condition. They support several body systems including the urinary, respiratory, lymphatic, and digestive systems. Alterative herb’s effects can be considered as blood cleansing, because they work to improve the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, digest, and detoxify. This does not just benefit the immediate organs involved, such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, colon, and lymph nodes, but also the other associated systems. This gives alterative herbs a dynamic function.

1. Support the Immune System

Many alterative herbs are effective in supporting the body during cold or illness. Garlic, red clover, burdock and plantain help clear congestion and cough, while simultaneously helping to boost the body’s immune response to clear up the infection that created the accumulation of mucus in the first place.

In addition, alterative herbs support the immune system by supporting treatment or prevention against cancer. Yellow dock and burdock were one of main ingredients in Essiac, a Native American anticancer herbal formula. Garlic and red clover are used in cancer prevention and cancer treatments (Ulbricht, 2010).

2. Support the Digestive & Urinary Systems

Alterative herbs provide support to the digestive system through different methods. For example, burdock and yellow dock are laxatives, garlic provides general improved digestion, and red clover is used to treat indigestion. In addition, garlic is used to fight liver tumors, garlic and burdock provide general liver support, and yellow dock is a liver tonic (Ulbricht, 2010).

Burdock is used to treat kidney stones and kidney diseases and garlic is used to treat kidney damage from antibiotics and other kidney problems (Ulbricht, 2010).

3. Support the Respiratory System

Burdock is used in treatment of catarrh, common cold, pneumonia, and respiratory infections; garlic is used to treat bronchitis, colds, cough, and pneumonia; red clover is used to treat asthma, bronchitis, cough, and whooping cough; and plantain is used for bronchial therapy and catarrh (Ulbricht, 2010; Wichtl, 2004).

4. Support the Skin

Alterative herbs support the integumentary system or skin. Burdock is used to treat acne, burns, eczema, hair loss, psoriasis, seborrhea, warts and other skin disorders; garlic is used to treat psoriasis and warts; red clover is used to treat acne, burns, chronic skin disease, psoriasis, and skin ulcers or sores; yellow dock treats acne, eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions; and plantain treats skin inflammation (Ulbricht, 2010; Wichtl, 2004).

5. Have Antimicrobial Effects

Alterative herbs are effective antimicrobials. Garlic has been used in several studies as an antifungal treatment when applied to the skin, as has yellow dock, although there are no studies to provide evidence of yellow dock’s efficacy as an antifungal. What is more, garlic has been used to treat amoeba infections and is an effective antibacterial and antiviral. Red clover is also an antibacterial (Ulbricht, 2010).

6. Offer Multiple Functions

Alterative herbs have more than one function in the body. For example, imagine that a person has problematic skin. They can apply an infusion of burdock, yellow dock, and plantain directly to the skin, thus reducing inflammation and boosting the immune response to clear the sensitivity. They can also ingest the infusion to support the kidneys and liver and flush out internal toxins, which provides additional support to the body to clear up their skin. This would ensure that waste and toxins are eliminated from both the inside and outside of the body.

Garlic also has multiple functions. Garlic is considered a “cure-all” because it supports many organ systems. It is antiseptic and can be useful in boosting the immune system to clear infections, both topically and internally. If applied to the skin, garlic can help treat skin fungal infections, and if taken orally, it can help clear the body of parasites. It also helps break down fatty tissue, which can aid in lowering blood pressure.

There are several more treatments that alterative herbs are used for. Many of these herbs are hearty plants that grow pervasively. This heartiness translates into how they act in the body, where their multitude of benefits for the body can also be considered pervasive. They have been commonly known as blood cleansers, but it is evident that they exert an effect far beyond the blood. Alterative herbs are holistic and their effect on the body promotes overall wellness.

Website Links

American Botanical Council

American Herbalists Guild

Herb Research Foundation

Natural Medicines

References

Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

Ulbricht, C. E. (2010). Natural Standard: Herb & Supplement Guide- An Evidence-Based Reference. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.

Wichtl, M. (Ed.). (2004). Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals: A Handbook for the Practice on a Scientific Basis, 3rd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.


Originally published at www.petallife.com.

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Sonee Singh

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I’m a Writer, Wellness Aficionado, Registered Aromatherapist™, cross-cultural seeker, and messenger of deep knowing. My mission: Inspire Conscious Living.

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