Using Herbs For:	Natural Addiction Treatment	Herbal Remedies
: Alcoholism/Drug Abuse : : Depression : : Liver : : Stop Smoking : : Chronic Fatigue :

Addiction

It is important that you give your body and mind all the help you can while going thru recovery. It's a safe bet that if you have been overusing alcohol or drugs for a long period, your immune system is compromised, your nerves shot, and your body and spirit badly damaged. Many herbs that have traditionally been used to treat addictions work by helping heal the whole mind/body system.

Using Herbs to change addictive behavior

Using Herbs for :Drug withdrawal Acorus Acorus affects the brain during withdrawal from cocaine, heroin, and morphine, can help lessen the nausea and vomiting, and dampen cravings. Acorus is also sedative. 1

Using Herbs for :Stop smoking Gentian and licorice root Gentian and licorice root have been used together in many herbal stop-smoking blends. Gentian is known mainly as a digestive tonic, while licorice is a liver and nervous system tonic. It is unclear whether this herbs have a direct effect on the urge to smoke, but digestive upset and nervous tension are both symptomatic of withdrawal, and these herbs can help. 1

Using Herbs for :Alcoholism Kudzu Kudzu has shown amazing promise in the fight against problem drinking. Research has shown kudzu can curb the urge to consume alcohol in some populations. Kudzu may be more effective if used in its natural state, such as in kudzu tea. It is possible that persons of East Asian ancestry have the greatest response to kudzu as a treatment for alcohol abuse. 3

Using Herbs for :Stop Smoking Lobelia Lobelia contains the phytochemical , lobeline, which acts much like nicotine on the nervous system, but far less potent. Still smoking lobelia, may help ease the transition to being tobacco free, and can help heavy pot smokers quit as well. Lobelia is safe to smoke, and was prescribed in the old days for asthmatics. Lobelia is also taken as a tea, or extract. You can also calm nerves by drinking lobelia tea, or taking extracts. 1

Using Herbs for :Liver Support Milk Thistle The silymarin in milk thistle seeds actually helps to regenerate liver cells and protects against damage by toxins and viruses. A frequent drinker,recovering alcoholic, or anyone taking harsh drugs long term, prescription or otherwise, should take milk thistle extract on a daily basis. 2

Using Herbs for :Stop smoking, carcinogens Tumeric One of the safest, and most tonic herbs you can take is best know for its bright yellow color in India cuisine. Turmeric has been proved to be an anti-carcinogenic, tonic, and anti-inflammatory, and a skin tonic to boot. It would be hard to ingest enough curry to get a medicinal dose of Turmeric, you need to supplement. Turmeric is a safe and healthy medicinal spice that can benefit everyone, and especially those who need to repair the damage of smoking to their lungs. 2

Natural Cures for Addiction Information

• Alcoholism/Drug Abuse : Most of the herbs mentioned here help the recovery process by supporting and healing the liver, detoxifying the body, and calming the nerves.
• Depression : The simple act of preparing and savoring a herbal tea is part of the self healing process.
• Liver : Milk thistle has been used for liver ailments for thousands of years
• Stop Smoking : Herbs can help relieve the tension, depression and stress that goes with stopping smoking
• Chronic Fatigue : Herbs that are adaptogens and adrenal tonics are best for treatment of fatigue. Avoid reliance on stimulants, even natural ones such as kola nut, guarana, yerba mate, and too much coffee.

1. Duke, James The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook .(December 15, 2000)
2. Linda B. White, M.D., Steven Foster. Herbal Drugstore (2003)
3. Robert B Tisserand, The Art of Aromatherapy (1977)
4. Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)
5. Steven Foster and Yue chongxi, Herbal Emissaries (1992)
6. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Vols 1, II (1931)
7. Richo Cech, Making Plant Medicine (2000)
8. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
9. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)
10. Adele Dawson, Herbs: Partners in Life (2000)
11. Penelope Ody, Home Herbal (1995)

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** Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs are provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of herbs have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs. **

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