HERBAL REMEDIES FOR ALCOHOL DETOX

Addiction is a multifaceted mix of physical and psychological causes, however for many people; alcohol is seen as a form of self-medication, connected to low levels of brain chemicals, like serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. Alcohol is the number one oldest intoxicant and addictive there is, which has been in used for more than 10,000 years. Alcohol directly destroys the liver, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and colon, and swiftly increases the risk of various cancers. It is a unique risk to the pregnant woman, who should stay clear of it completely since irreversible fetal alcohol syndrome can take place at low doses. Alcohol is also associated with an estimated 60% of all violent crimes.

In spite of these negatives, merely 20% of alcoholics can stop successfully.

Alcoholism can simply be described as a steady urge or need to drink alcohol. An addiction of this type is a common occurrence and it is a disturbing growing phenomenon which is responsible for causing a large number of deaths each year. Alcohol addiction is like any other class of addiction, wherein you get fixated to a specific activity such as gambling, eating e.t.c. Alcohol when taken constantly over a lengthened period of time, can have serious adverse effects on one’s health. Alcohol is known to cause nerve, kidney and liver damage. Alcoholism also makes one prone to anxiety and depression, obesity and cancers of the colon, heart, liver, esophagus, larynx, and mouth.

Withdrawal syndrome (in relation to alcohol) is a group of symptoms, experienced when alcoholics abruptly desist from drinking. They could vary from anxiety, insomnia, mild shivers and nightmares to convulsions and hallucinations. These symptoms if overlooked can at times become life-threatening. These are some herbal remedies to deal with withdrawal symptoms. Grapes are noted to be an excellent remedy for those that are striving to get rid of alcohol addiction, hence take as many grapes as you possibly can in daily. Bingeing on grapes is what you would be needed to do, so as to help fight the withdrawal symptoms. Eat a bowlful of grapes after every 5 hours. One more fruit that is equally highly recommended for this condition is apple. Apple helps in reducing the urge to drink and also in flushing out toxins from the body.

Herbal medicines offer a priceless resource for the effects of, and addiction to, alcohol. Initially, there are herbs to detoxify and lessen cravings, while reducing the symptoms of withdrawal.

Acorn tincture (Quercus glandis) can be used in all conditions to create a strong repugnance to alcohol. Other plant medicines help fix the harm done, including liver herbs such as milk thistle. Adaptogenic and tonic herbs can equally correct biochemical and neurological imbalances that aid drinking, by increasing the manufacturing of neurotransmitters such as serotonin.

Herbal remedies:

1. Quercus robur glandium

• Reduces alcoholic longings and antidotes its effects, like liver and an enlarged spleen.  Diarrhea may occur in the course of treatment as a curative effect.

• It is obtainable as a homeopathic liquid under the name Ouercus glandis.

2. Angelica—Angelica atropurpurea

• It causes aversion for alcohol; use 5 drops, 3 times daily.

• It is equally a ‘warming circulatory tonic’ that relieves colic, gas, headache and bloating.

• It useful for an enlarged spleen and similarly it is anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic.

3. Calanatts—Acorus calamus

• Erases the craving for alcohol and also restorative for both brain and nervous system.

• It takes care of cramps, distention, and gas. Promotes appetite and helps fatigue.

4. Cayenne—Capsicum frutescens

• It eliminates morning vomiting and gnawing stomach, reduces intense cravings for alcohol and improves appetite; it should be used only in single drop doses.

• Minimizes anxiety, tremor, and irritability, and induces calm sleep.

• It helps to quickly relieve Exhaustion, chills, Delirium tremens.

5. Celandine—Chelidonium majus

• It is specifically good for liver problems due to alcohol usage. It is an excellent Liver healer and detoxifier, including cirrhosis.

• It helps to calm emotions (i.e. anger, depression) that may occur during withdrawal or cravings.

• It handles general sluggishness, difficulty concentrating and mental dullness.

6. Hops—Humulus lupulus

• Sedative that relieves anxiety-connected to withdrawal symptoms.

• It helps irritability and restlessness, likewise promotes healthy digestion.

• Relieves insomnia and frequent waking.

7. Khella—Ammi visnaga

• This an Ayurvedic herb that takes care of the acute and chronic effects of alcohol.

• A very powerful antispasmodic and pain remedy.  It is used for treating for asthma, angina.

8. Kudzu—Pueraria lobata

• In China, it is traditionally used to sober a drunken person and for a variety of side effects associated with alcohol (hangover, thirst, gastric bleeding, loss of appetite).

• Recent research reveals it can radically reduce craving for alcohol.

9. Milk Thistle—Silybum marianum

• It guides against damage to the liver by alcohol, drugs, and toxins.

• Impressively regenerates damaged liver tissue; indispensable for cirrhosis.

10. Oats—Avena sativa

• Exceptional good for weaning off alcohol, drugs, opiates, narcotics. Refreshing without intoxication. Improves clarity and focus.

• Restores appropriate nerve functioning and ease heart palpitations.

11. Passionflower—Passiflora incarnata

• Excellently treats insomnia, delirium tremens or spasms connected to withdrawal.

• Good for inducing restful sleep without hangover effects.

• It works well when combined with kava, skullcap, valerian, hops or Jamaican dogwood.

12. Quassia—Picrasma/Quassia excels

This is a bitter that stimulates appetite and digestive system. It also improves a weak digestive system.

• Antidotes effects of alcohol and rejuvenates the spleen.

13. Schisandra—Schisandra chinensis

• Controls annoyance and anger without sedation; fights depression.

• A liver tonic for hepatitis and an adaptogen that helps the body in harmonizing stress; useful for nervous exhaustion, weakness, and insomnia.

14. Wild Lettuce—Lactuca virosa

• It gives a broad sense of well-being and calms excitability, relieves pain.

• It is a gentle sedative and cure for insomnia; safe and sound for both young and old.

15. To prevent the patient from craving for stimulants like alcohol, it is most vital to feed sufficient amounts of nutrients back into his body. To begin with, the patient should be placed on an “all liquid” diet, if possible juices, for a minimum of 10 to 12 days. This is the best herbal remedy for alcoholism to start with. As this fast is going on, the patient will progressively witness less craving. This will break his drinking pattern. It is fine that the patient should start on a diet of many small meals per a day rather than three large meals.

16. Yet after the successful completion of the juice fast, the patient should go on with to take fresh fruit juices and plenty of water. A healthy diet for alcoholism must comprise of foods such as pulses, fresh fruits, wholegrain cereals, legumes, and vegetables.

Right from the start, the patient might witness cravings and so a suitable replacement may be given to lessen the cravings. A glass of fresh fruit juice and consuming healthy snacks such as candy or Soya beans etc will curtail his cravings which might increase the desire for drinking in the stages instantly after the treatment.

Excerpt From: Spencer Garret. “Alchemy of Herbal Medicine.” iBooks. 2017