Herbs That Help Fight Cravings for Alcohol

For chronic alcoholism, it is never advisable to detox at home because the withdrawal from severe alcoholism could be dangerous in the absence of experts. One should always heed to the advice of doctors, clinicians and de-addiction centers in case of chronic alcoholism.

However, mild drinkers sometimes go for home detox, the natural way. A word of caution though, a prior consultation with a doctor is a must to avoid any unwarranted situation.

The biggest roadblock to sobriety from alcohol is craving. Fighting cravings has always been a challenge for drinkers. During craving, an addict receives signals from the brain to drink alcohol to normalize the body function. More often than not, people give in to the temptations and end up drinking every time.

Sometimes, herbs can help people in resisting these nagging cravings and manage to quit alcohol, especially when the alcoholism is not very severe. Here, we look at some herbs which can help in reducing alcohol cravings:

Kudzu: It is a wild vine which contains a chemical compound called daidzin. Which is known to help fight alcohol cravings. Daidzin is considered highly effective in countering temptations and urge to reach for the glass.

Dandelion: It is a cleansing herb which can be consumed like tea. Known to cure alcohol dependency and alleviate withdrawal symptoms, 3 to 5gms of the dried roots of Dandelion may be consumed three times a day to have the desired effects.

St. John’s Wort: An herbal antidepressant, St. John’s Wort immensely helps in reducing alcohol cravings. The chemical pigment called hyperforin is said to be responsible for reducing the craving and subsequently the intake. Another added advantage of this herb is that it works wonders on mild or moderate depression.

Milk Thistle: Popularly known as Silybum Marianum, Milk Thistle is not only a remedy for alcohol cravings, but is equally good in treating liver damages caused by prolonged alcohol consumption. This herbal remedy contains an active ingredient called silymarin which cleanses the toxicity of the liver caused by alcohol intake.

Angelica: This herb is also known as Quai and is regarded as a top detoxification agent that contributes to reducing alcohol cravings. A person consuming Angelica develops a serious distaste for alcohol in a short span of time and becomes averse to drinking. The benefit comes from the antihistamine properties in the herb which work best for compulsive and driven type drinkers.

Cayenne Pepper: This herb is known to be effective in intense alcohol cravings and is a stupendous herbal remedy for stomach cramps arising out of excessive drinking. Even withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and irritability are said to be pacified by this herb.

Evening Primrose: This is also regarded as a spectacular herb for reducing cravings for alcohol. This herb is consumed by extracting the oil from its seeds which significantly brings down any hankerings for alcohol.

Ginseng: This is a popular herb used in various medications around the world. Ginseng, treated as a wonder herb, helps in reducing alcohol cravings. It breaks down the alcohol in the body and then flushes out the toxins. However, chronic and severe cases of alcoholism need to seek treatment from professionals in an alcohol detox center.

Skullcap: This is another popular herbal remedy for alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It relieves tension and anxiety, and reduces the cravings for alcohol.

Goldenseal: This herb has a bitter taste. The antiviral and antifungal properties of this herb are responsible for reducing the yearning for alcohol.

Passion Flower: This herb helps in reducing alcohol cravings as well as treating anxiety disorders due to alcohol intake.