More and more people are starting to turn to alternative medicine as a way to treat a number of diseases and illnesses. While traditional Chinese doctors and alternative medicine practitioners have long used alternative medicine to treat alcohol or drug addictions it has just started to make its way to the United States as a respectable form of substance abuse treatment. One of the most popular forms of alternative medicine as a treatment for substance abuse includes that of herbal medicine.
Herbal medicine is the use of specific herbal supplements or teas to cure the body of the craving for the substance that is being abused or to help with the detox process. While herbal medicine and alternative medicine do not work to cure the addiction completely it allows the addict to have a rest from the withdrawal symptoms or cravings so that they can work on any underlying issues.
Here is a look at some of the most popular types of herbal supplements and teas that are used to help with the detox process or to cure cravings of the substance that is being abused.
Anti-Anxiety Herbs. Many herbal medicines and teas help to cure anxiety or depression. Many drug and alcohol addicts will suffer from extreme forms of anxiety or depression while they are detoxing. This makes any herbal medication that works to sooth these symptoms popular. Popular herbal supplements and teas that are used to cure anxiety or depression include catnip, peppermint, skullcap and chamomile. Sometimes St. John’s wort is used but not all the time.
Detoxing. Drug addicts and alcohol abusers need to detox their body of the harmful chemicals that were placed in the body. Popular herbal supplements that are used to detox the body include milk thistle, burdock root and echinacea. Many of these herbs are also known to help repair organs in the body that might be harmed from the drug or alcohol addiction.
