Alcoholism is a term that refers to a problem with alcohol consumption (AUD). It can be difficult to recover from AUD.
It usually necessitates a lot of consistent support.
It’s not a good idea to treat AUD alone with alternative treatments. Meditation, acupuncture, and herbs, on the other hand, may help you feel better as you heal.
This article discusses some natural remedies that can aid in the treatment of AUD. It also explains why finding an effective therapy is critical. Make sure to explore the benefits and dangers of any therapies you choose with your healthcare provider.
Which Natural Remedies Are Good For Alcohol Withdrawal?
Even if you are going through aggressive alcohol withdrawal symptoms or other kinds of substance abuse, there are always some natural remedies to help you get through this painful phase.
Let’s find out more about them here:
1: Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the insertion of small, sterilized needles into specific points on the body.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescribes it to deal with alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Some people use it to address the anxiety and despair accompanying alcoholism and withdrawal. However, the optimal way to use this medicine is still being researched.
According to a 2017 review of studies, acupuncture can aid with alcohol cravings and withdrawal.
When acupuncturists insert needles in the meridian points, it balances the dopamine level and reduces the cortisol hormone, thus managing the cravings that come with alcohol withdrawal.
2: Kudzu Flower
Kudzu extract has been demonstrated to be effective in preventing binge drinking. Binge drinking occurs when a person consumes four or five drinks in less than two hours.
Even if they are not being treated for AUD, kudzu may assist heavy drinkers cut down on their alcohol use.
The main ingredient in the Ge Hua Jie Cheng San TCM recipe is the kudzu flower. This is the mixture that is commonly used to cure intoxication and hangovers.
People who binge drink were given either kudzu extract or a placebo before a 90-minute session of beer drinking in one study.
Those given a kudzu extract dosage drank much less beer than usual. They even drank less than those who received a placebo, and they also drank more slowly.
3: Meditation and Mindfulness
To keep people from relapsing, mindfulness therapies have been employed in a number of rehab centers.
After a certain period of spending time in rehabilitation, relapse occurs, and that’s when a person begins drinking in unhealthy ways.
Meditation is commonly included in these programs. Instead of merely reacting to your thoughts, feelings, and cravings, they teach you to be aware of them.
According to several research papers, mindfulness led to better results than 12-step programs alone.
Another research showed people who meditated for 11 minutes were able to cut down their alcohol intake in a matter of a few days, and that was indeed an achievement for heavy drinkers.
4: Milk Thistle
The antioxidant silymarin is abundant in milk thistle (Silybum Marianum).
It is frequently promoted to restore liver function and prevent liver damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
Milk thistle has been shown to aid in treating alcohol-related liver damage in several studies. However, it’s worth noting that additional research is needed to prove that the plant improves liver health.
However, people who are lactose intolerant should not try this natural remedy because it may worsen their condition than it already is.
5: Ashwagandha
The Withania somnifera plant is used to make the herbal supplement ashwagandha.
It is an ayurvedic medicine, which originated in India, and many rehab centers use it as a natural remedy.
Alcohol withdrawal and cravings are occasionally treated with ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha appeared to alleviate anxiety in alcohol-addicted rats in research. However, more research is needed to establish if it works in humans in the same way.
However, many studies showed that Ashwagandha, when combined with other herbs, could increase water intake after 21 days of strict administration, and when your body is hydrated, it deals with the withdrawal symptoms better.
6: Healthy Diet
You can switch to a nutritious diet rich in lean proteins like poultry, eggs, fish, and non-fatty meats before starting the alcohol detox. In addition, include a variety of raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, potatoes, beans, and pasta in your diet.
It’s also a good idea to arm yourself with a multivitamin and mineral supplement.
A diet that contains vitamins B and C and calcium, potassium, and magnesium is particularly helpful in managing withdrawal symptoms.
Make it a habit to eat every three hours to avoid hunger, leading to alcohol cravings, which will intensify after the alcohol shakes kick in.
Moreover, you should stay away from the sugary snacks you’ll crave after you begin detoxing. They’ll just exacerbate the alcohol-induced tremors.
7: Plenty of Water
The more toxins you can get out of your body, the less you’ll experience alcohol-induced tremors and other symptoms.
Water is far more capable of this than any other fluid, and once you drain the toxins out of your body, you can even make your skin look young and beautiful.
However, you’ll need to drink a lot of it – at least 2 quarts every hour.
It’s fine to mix in a few electrolyte-rich sports drinks but avoid tea, coffee, and anything else that contains caffeine.
This is a completely free natural treatment. All you have to do now is make a schedule of drinking 8 glasses of water every day and stick to it.
Go For It!!!
It’s not easy to recover from an alcohol use disorder.
However, people who are successful in this journey are frequently surrounded by others who encourage them. In addition, natural remedies may be able to aid with cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Acupuncture, mindfulness, and meditation have been shown to help with AUD treatment. In addition, herbal medicines such as kudzu, ashwagandha, and milk thistle may also aid your healing.
Natural therapies for AUD have received little research. As a result, it’s a good idea to discuss the natural remedies with your doctor once before applying them.
