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Herbal Remedies for Addiction
OATS (Arena sativa) are a remarkable nervine tonic (restores normal function to the nervous system) and antidepressant. Oats nourish the nervous system, speed wound healing and soothe irritated tissues. Oats have a dual effect of calming a "stressed-out" nervous system, as well as strengthening it from exhaustion or depression.
KAVA (Piper methysticum) is a potent anti-anxiety herb, mild sedative, skeletal muscle relaxant, hypnotic (sleep inducer), mild analgesic and a local anesthetic to mucous membranes. It causes a numbing effect in the mouth, then a feeling of well-being and calm, as fatigue and anxiety abate but mental acuity is preserved with no adverse side effects. Although some practitioners would argue that kava is too "drug-like" in its effects, recent German clinical studies have shown kava to be safe and non-addictive, so it could be of benefit to the recovering addict suffering with anxiety, nervous tension, restlessness, sleeplessness and depression. It is non-addictive because the analgesic effect produced by kava occurs via nonopiate pathways. It has been tested and proven effective in assisting withdrawal from benzodiazepine drugs such as valium. Long-term use of six months or more with a dosage equivalent to 210 mg kava lactones per day showed no adverse effects, although excessive use can cause a mild skin rash.
ASHWAGANDHA (Withania somnifera), also called Indian ginseng, is an ayurvedic herb with tonic, adaptogenic, sedative, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. The root is the primary part used medicinally. Ashwagandha has been compared to ginseng, but is not as stimulating, so it is ideal for treating the debilitated but overactive person. Because it also makes a person feel more "grounded," ashwagandha can be effective in preventing a relapse from an addiction. It is especially effective in treating nervous exhaustion due to stress, and has also been shown to help treat withdrawal from opiate addiction. The main constituents of ashwagandha are steroidal compounds and alkaloids. It is also a good source of iron.
Dosage: For a tea, place 1 to 2 tablespoons of dried oat straw into a teapot with a quart of boiling water and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. This can be sipped throughout the day. As a food, eat a hot bowl of rolled oats for breakfast.
Dosage: For treatment of anxiety, cravings, nervousness and restlessness, take 1.5 to 3 gm per day of dried root, chewed or as a tea, standardized preparations (syrups and glycerites) consisting of 100 to 200 mg of kava lactones per dose, or kava tablets (1.2 to 1.8 gm standardized to contain 60 mg kava lactones). Take 1 or 2 tablets two to four times per day. Tinctures made with alcohol are also available, but someone recovering from akoholism should avoid them.
Dosage: 3 to 6 gms per day of dried root as a tea, 6 to 12 ml of a 1:2 liquid extract per day, or tablets providing 100 to 200 mg of the herb one to three times a day. Ashwagandha has no known toxicity or contraindications.
