Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Alterative \Al"ter*a*tive\, a. [L. alterativus: cf. F.
   alt['e]ratif.]
   Causing ateration. Specifically: Gradually changing, or
   tending to change, a morbid state of the functions into one
   of health. --Burton.

Alterative \Al"ter*a*tive\, n.
   A medicine or treatment which gradually induces a change, and
   restores healthy functions without sensible evacuations.

Source : WordNet®

alterative
     adj : tending to cure or restore to health; "curative powers of
           herbal remedies"; "her gentle healing hand"; "remedial
           surgery"; "a sanative environment of mountains and
           fresh air"; "a therapeutic agent"; "therapeutic diets"
           [syn: {curative}, {healing(p)}, {remedial}, {sanative},
            {therapeutic}]