Herbal Cure for Alcoholism

Alcoholism can seriously impede your ability to enjoy life. In addition to negatively affecting personal relationships and employment, alcoholism also ravages the body and mind. Long-term drinking has profound implications on several areas of the body, and Western medicine has devised pharmaceuticals to deal with several of these issues. Many people, however, find herbal cures to be just as effective and, in most cases, much more affordable.

• Many herbs can be useful in helping cure alcoholism.

Liver

• For an alcoholic, the liver is one of the hardest-hit areas of the body. This is where alcohol is broken down, but an overabundance of alcohol in the liver can cause it to function improperly. According to the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, milk thistle has shown impressive results in healing alcohol-related liver issues. Aloe vera is another valuable herb for aiding the alcohol-affected liver. It fortifies the organ, enriches its natural functions, and can delay the onset of cirrhosis. A study conducted by the School of Life Sciences at Jawaharial Nehru University confirms aloe vera's role in aiding the detoxification process.

Brain Chemicals

• Alcoholism has a serious impact on proper brain functioning. Overdrinking alters these functions by causing an imbalance in the brain's neurotransmitters. To get these chemicals back on an even keel, many herbs have been widely utilized. St. John's Wort, commonly taken for depression, stimulates balance within brain chemicals and reduces cravings for alcohol. Lemon balm, when made into a tea, helps with the depressive aspects of alcoholism and makes an ideal anxiety-reliever.

Nervous System

• Overindulging in alcohol can wreak havoc on the body's central nervous system. Taking their cue from the addled brain, nerves have a harder time working properly when too much alcohol is moving through the system. Passionflower is a commonly used herb with natural calming properties, healing anxiety and relaxing the body and mind.

Withdrawal Symptoms

• When quitting drinking, withdrawal symptoms are often the biggest obstacle. The body and mind are still craving alcohol, and when none is forthcoming, they go into withdrawal mode. Several herbs can help ease the discomfort of withdrawal. Among them, Skullcap is one of the most popular. It can be used as a tension-reliever as well as an antispasmodic, relaxing muscle spasms, tics and natural convulsions associated with alcohol withdrawal. Valerian possesses many of these same properties, in addition to a sedative-like effect.

Boosting Metabolism

• Alcoholism throws off the equilibrium of the body's normal metabolism rates. Ginseng is an herb that boasts several beneficial properties and is a great metabolism booster. It helps the body process alcohol quicker, and, as an added bonus, often improves energy levels. The Asian or American varieties of ginseng have been shown to be the most effective types of this herb, according to the University of Maryland, and other strains of ginseng do not possess the ginsenosides that are so valuable to the body's recovery.