Do you want to quit drinking? Maybe you just want to have a break, or maybe it’s time for a liver detox. Perhaps your dependance is more deeply rooted, and poses a serious problem in your life. If alcohol consumption has become a regular habit, it can take a toll on many aspects of your life, your health and your wallet as well.
Herbs are also excellent allies when it comes to detoxing. Your liver is the organ most at risk of bearing the burden of alcohol use - and this is one area where herbs excel. Read on to find out many ways that herbs can be of service on your journey towards being alcohol free!
With alcohol in particular, people often develop addictive habits over long periods of time. It starts with a few drinks here and there, and eventually scales to more serious proportions when control is lost. As a result, people often face liver failure and a number of other conditions that are hard to fix
Herbs to Overcome Cravings:
1 Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestris) is an amazing herb to regulate blood sugar - many people are surprised how much of their alcohol habit is really a secret sugar addiction!
2 Kudzu (Peuraria lobata) is one of the oldest known herbal medicines, used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for reducing the craving for alcohol and as a hangover cure. A recent Harvard Medical School study corroborates this use.
Nutrition:
The majority of people with an addiction to alcohol are also suffering from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). To balance blood sugar levels (and therefore reduce alcohol cravings), it is recommended to:
- Avoid all sugars (including corn syrup and fruit juice concentrates)
- Reduce the intake of refined carbohydrates (white bread/pasta)
- Increase the intake of complex carbohydrates (whole grains/fresh veggies)
- Increasing protein, as well as B complex and C vitamins may also be recommended
Angelica
Angelica Atropurpurea or Angelica is an extremely effective herbal remedy for alcoholism and curbing cravings in recovering alcoholics or those who wish to quit liquor. During the phase of alcohol withdrawal, the person experiences a urge to drink again.
To curb this desire, you need to make yourself resist the influence of alcohol. Angelica root should be crushed and consumed in powder form to reduce the cravings. The bitter taste of this root powder removes the desire to drink alcohol.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a natural sedative and relaxant. Chamomile tea is extremely beneficial for those who want to fend off alcohol cravings. Chamomile tea contains natural healing properties which soothe the digestive system and relieve feelings of nausea that may result from alcohol withdrawal.
Chamomile tea is especially useful for reducing alcohol cravings because it eliminates the restlessness for liquor. It calms the mind and lessens the need for drinking alcohol as a way to relieve stress. This is because Chamomile is able to relax the mind and body both. You should use dried leaves of this herb to brew Chamomile tea. Consume this herbal tea regularly to obtain major benefits.
Kava
Kava is a relaxant herb which is used to make ceremonial drinks in the South Pacific Islands. This herbal remedy is very useful in limiting alcohol cravings and eliminating them altogether. The reason for this is that kava leaves and root contains antioxidants which refresh and soothe the mind.
You can consume a hot drink containing the crushed root to calm yourself and yet retain your mental clarity. People crave alcohol for stress reduction. This herbal remedy can be used instead as it reduces stress levels and eases tensions. Kava leaves can also be added to salads and dishes and thus consumed for best results.
Dandelion
Dandelion is a herb which is very good for detoxifying the body and lessening the severity of alcohol withdrawal. The roots of this herb have been found to reduce the desire to consume alcohol. An added advantage is that the chemical constituents present in the root stimulate bile production.
Alcohol intake lowers the level of bile in the body. Dandelion root can be crushed and added to your tea to make an effective herbal remedy for battling alcohol cravings. You should take about 5 grams of the root once in a day for best results, according to experts.
Iboga
Iboga is an African herb which reduces the cravings for substances such as alcohol. It has been used to combat not only alcohol addiction, but also cocaine and heroin abuse. Iboga is also known by its Latin name Tabernanthe Iboga. Iboga is especially effective because it contains an alkaloid called ibogaine which regulates the neurotransmitters in the brain that stimulate alcohol cravings.
Specifically, ibogaine acts on the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which are responsible for associating cravings with pleasure and elevated mood states. Iboga therefore reduces the cravings for alcohol. You can take this herb in extract form for best results.