College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

Alterative (Raktasodhana) - Foods & Herbs ListCLASSIFICATION OF FOOD, HERBS, & LIFESTYLE

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Reported by John Immel Asheville, NC
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AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

The ideal alterative clears toxins (ama) from the blood by these actions:

  • Cholagogue - Extracting toxins in bile, refreshing the blood
  • Livotonic / Hepatoprotective - Improving the liver's ability to clear toxins
  • Cooling - To relieve the liver
  • Sour - Flushing glands to recalibrate the blood
  • Bitter - Stimulates digestion & mild laxative to clear the bowels
Note: Elimination is only a secondary action of alteratives, whose focus is on clearing the blood not the bowels or urine. Vata pacifying alteratives should be mildly sweet or oily.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Anything that strengthens or cleanses the liver can clear drugs more quickly, requiring a higher dose.

INGREDIENTS WITH ALTERATIVE QUALITY

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HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS WITH ALTERATIVE QUALITY

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HELPFUL FOR*

'Alterative' may be helpful for these symptoms and causes below.

CONTRAINDICATIONS / AGGRAVATES / IS AGGRAVATED BY*

'Alterative' may aggravate, or be aggravated by, these symptoms and causes below.
TYPE: HERBAL_ACTION

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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. His wife and family of 7 kids live in Asheville, NC.

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.