The Alterative Materia Medica
90 Minutes  
 
The alterative action of herbs, a term left over from the 19th century practice of medicine and herbalism, is one of the most misunderstood groups in contemporary herbalism. 20th Century advances in physiology seemed to render the concept of “blood purification” obsolete, and herbs categorized as alteratives seem to be totally unrelated to each other in their physiological actions. However, this older concept is consistent with contemporary pathophysiology, and the seemingly unrelated herbs have a unifying principle of improving detoxification or nutrition through supporting or stimulating any of the many mechanisms for this in the body.  Protocols for assessment and “blood purification” will be described.
 
Materials
The audio lecture
Lecture slides
Energetics of Some Alterative Herbs
Home-Garlic-Preparations
 
This lecture is offered as Continuing Education by the NAIMH but has not been pre-approved for CE credits by any professional board.
 
Related Continuing Education Lectures
Comparative Materia Medica for the Bitter Herbs
 
Related Courses
Materia Medica Differentials