Are there any homeopathic or herbal remedies for addictions?

Question

I'm not talking about detox, but something to stop urges or cravings.

Answer 1

This is a bigger issue and there is no substitute for seeing a herbalist or other practitioner, however, yes there are. In order to deal with cravings generally and assuming you're not gluten intolerant, you can use fluid extract of oat straw, Avena sativa, liberally. Other options in this area are Siberian ginseng, also known as Eleutherococcus senticosus (don't combine with caffeine) and liquorice (though not the food version), Glycyrrhiza glabra, which should be avoided if you have high blood pressure, are on heart drugs or have a kidney problem. Doses are, in an adult (not geriatric) ad lib with oat straw, 30ml of 1:5 tincture Eleutherococcus per week, 3 times a day, and up to 20ml of the fluid extract of liquorice. You can also use lavender essential oil, which is a mental relaxant and reduces focus on issues - rub it into your temples with a carrier oil or "burn" it. If the issue is alcohol, get non-alcoholic tinctures or dried herbs rather than alcoholic ones.

There is also a potentially dangerous herb called Iboga. I have no experience of using it.

Concerning specific cravings:

Alcohol: Probably best to avoid alcoholic tinctures altogether. Up to 40ml 1:5 milk thistle (Carduus marianus) to protect the liver.

Tobacco: Use coltsfoot cigarettes to satisfy the oral need. These can be found in some herbal or healthfood shops. For the actual craving, there is a herb only available from herbalists which occupies nicotine receptors without increasing them, so it's like using a nicotine patch. Some people don't get on with this however and actually find it makes it worse.

Caffeine: Try either drinking Mate (Ilex paraguensis), which contains a lower level of caffeine than tea or coffee, or again Eleutherococcus. For oral replacement, you could use a cereal coffee or a tea called Rooibosch, which is largely inactive and contains no caffeine.

Opiates: You definitely need outside help with these, but to a limited extent the non-narcotic Californian poppy (Eschscholzia californica) at a dose of around 40ml per week of the 1:5 tincture might help.

Wider issues: Addiction is partly about attitude to time, in that past experiences can lead to focus on the present without regard to future consequences. One thing that might help here is the Philosophy of Epicureanism, where pleasure is seen as the only ultimately good thing, an approach with which someone with addiction issues might feel some sympathy. In order to tide one over present cravings or issues which might lead to backsliding, Epicureanism would suggest focussing on past and future pleasures, so enjoying memories and anticipating good things that will happen, such as what one can do once one is free of the addiction.

Craving can be conceptualised as being caused by the substance rather than its absence. Therefore, one can come to associate withdrawal with the substance itself rather than its absence. Also, substances with a short-term effect such as nicotine lend themselves to the idea that every time you, for example, stub out a cigarette you are already a non-smoker, and you only become a user again when you use.

Also, try looking at Bach Flower remedies or others (Australian Bush or Californian) depending on where you are in the world.

You really could do with some support though. I would think of going to an appropriate practitioner, healthcare professional or counsellor if i were you.

Answer 2

Homeopathic Remedies are prescribed according to the patients symptoms not the disease, The following remedies are used for a few Addictions (To reduce the Cravings) :-

Addicted :-

To Opium Berberis Vulgaris in Q(Mother Tincture) 4 hourly, 5-10 drops in a sip of warm water

To Morphia Avena Sat in Q(Mother Tincture) 4 hourly, 5 - 10 drops in a sip of warm water

Hereditary craving for alcohol Syphilinum 1M, once weekly (6 Doses).

Take the remedy which is similar to your symptoms. No side effects or complications if taken as directed, please do not exceed the given dosage and under any circumstances do not try to mix any remedies and avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.
Curing without any side effects or Complications Thats the Beauty of Homeopathic Medicine
Feel free to email me if you do not understand anything or if you want to discuss anything.

Best of Health to you.

Take Care and God Bless you !

Answer 3

Have you tried a Yahoo search for "herbal remedies" + smoking (OR nicotine)?

Answer 4

kratom is used to help elevate withdrawals from opium. It's expensive and mildly addictive itself but I've read about may cases where people used it successfully.

Answer 5

I hear inositol is supposed to help with compulsive behavior, you often get it with B vitamins.