Alteratives are blood cleansing, and help the body to improve metabolic processes and thus work more efficiently absorbing nutrients, and removing wastes. Examples of herbs include garlic, burdock, echinacea, dandelion, turmeric, holy basil, and yellow dock, plantain, and red clover. Alterative herbs are best to be taken in small doses over a longer period of time, resulting in whole body wellness of organs and systems.
Consult with a Doctor when considering herbs, especially beyond food quantity amounts, to ingest for pain reduction. Herbs, especially in large doses, may interfere with certain medications and affect certain medical conditions. Also, be aware of any contraindications before topical use.
Alterative Herb Recipes
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RESEARCH
The listings of research below represents a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.
- Garlic lowered blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and boosted immunity. From: Ried, K. (2016). Garlic lowers blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, regulates serum cholesterol, and stimulates immunity: an updated meta-analysis and review. The Journal of nutrition, 146(2), 389S-396S.
- In this review, research on burdock and the following actions were discussed: blood detoxifying, improved blood circulation, improved skin, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial. Chan, Y. S., Cheng, L. N., Wu, J. H., Chan, E., Kwan, Y. W., Lee, S. M. Y., … & Chan, S. W. (2010). A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock).
- A review of human clinical trials and other studies on echinacea, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, St John’s wort, and valerian are summarized. From: Barrett, B., Kiefer, D., & Rabago, D. (1999). Assessing the risks and benefits of herbal medicine: an overview of scientific evidence. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 5(4), 40.
- This is a review of dandelion research. From: Sweeney, B., Vora, M., Ulbricht, C., & Basch, E. (2005). Evidence-based systematic review of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) by natural standard research collaboration. Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy, 5(1), 79-93.
- This mega review discussed the many therapeutic actions studied about turmeric and its curcumin constituent including: pro-inflammatory diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, uveitis, ulcerative proctitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel disease, tropical pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, gastric ulcer, idiopathic orbital inflammatory pseudotumor, oral lichen planus, gastric inflammation, vitiligo, psoriasis, acute coronary syndrome, atherosclerosis, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic microangiopathy, lupus nephritis, renal conditions, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, β-thalassemia, biliary dyskinesia, Dejerine-Sottas disease, cholecystitis, and chronic bacterial prostatitis. Curcumin has also shown protection against hepatic conditions, chronic arsenic exposure, and alcohol intoxication. From: Gupta, S. C., Patchva, S., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2013). Therapeutic roles of curcumin: lessons learned from clinical trials. The AAPS journal, 15(1), 195-218.
- This is a review of holy basil. From: Prakash, P., & Gupta, N. (2005). Therapeutic uses of Ocimum sanctum Linn (Tulsi) with a note on eugenol and its pharmacological actions: a short review. Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology, 49(2), 125.
- This article provided are review of local and traditional medical uses, and safety of Rumex species. From: Vasas, A., Orbán-Gyapai, O., & Hohmann, J. (2015). The Genus Rumex: Review of traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 175, 198-228.
By: Kathy Sadowski
Last Updated: 8/1/18
