-IBIS-1.7.6-
tx
mental/emotional
alcoholism
Botanicals
primary herbs
consider: liver damage, need for sedation, delirium tremens
Apocynum cannabium (toxic): to settle stomach, strengthen heart during delirium tremens or after excess use of alcohol (Ellingwood, p. 231)
Avena sativa: nervine, tonic to nerves, helps overcome habit (Ellingwood, p. 205)
Capsicum frutescens: delirium tremens, steadies patient, promotes sound sleep (Felter and Lloyd, p. 435)
Chamomilla spp.: sedative
Chionanthus virginicus: gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders, relieves portal congestion (Felter, p. 287)
Cinchona spp. (toxic): has been used in alcoholism, general debility (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 67)
Conium maculatum (toxic): anodyne, antispasmodic, soothes in delirium tremens (Ellingwood, p. 104)
Datura stramonium (toxic): delirium tremens; enraged, inclined to injure self or others (Felter and Lloyd, p. 1840)
Gelsemium sempervirens (toxic): according to indications (Ellingwood, pp. 74, 75)
Hyoscyamus niger (toxic): delirium tremens; violent delirium, face pale and sunken, twitching of every muscle (Harper-Shove, p. 26)
Humulus lupulus: nervine, delirium tremens, aids digestion (Felter and Lloyd, p. 999)
Hydrastis canadensis: to overcome craving (Harper-Shove, p. 164, Felter and Lloyd, p. 1026)
Passiflora incarnata: nervine and insomnia
Scutellaria lateriflora: nervine; insomnia, nightmares, restlessness
Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle): as an aid in liver detoxification.
Sterculia acuminata (Kola-nut): as a substitute for alcohol (Ellingwood, p. 207)
Strychnos nux vomica (toxic): decreased portal circulation, an aid in chronic alcoholism, especially those with robust constitution and great nervous excitability (Felter, p. 489)
Ellingwood also recommends:
Claviceps purpurea (toxic)
Lobelia inflata (toxic)
Panax quinquefolius
see: withdrawal from addiction
complementary herbs
chronic alcoholism: Strychnos nux vomica (toxic) + Capsicum frutescens + Hydrastis canadensis (Felter and Lloyd, p. 1026)
Xanthoxylum americanum + Capsicum frutescens + Hydrastis canadensis + vitamin B (Sherman)
Avena sativa + Ca + Mg + Vitamins B, C (Sherman)
delirium tremens: Capsicum frutescens with nervines (Priest and Priest, p. 67)
footnotes
British Herbal Medicine Association. British Herbal Pharmacopeia. West Yorks, England: BHMA, 1983.
Ellingwood F. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 11th ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1919, 1998.
Faulstich H, Jahn W, Wieland T. Silibinin inhibition of amatoxin uptake in the perfused rat liver. Arzneim-Forsch Drug Res 1980;30:452-454.
Feher J, Lang I, et al. Free radicals in tissue damage in liver diseases and therapeutic approach. Tokai J Exp Clin Med 1986;11:121-134.
Felter HW, Lloyd JU. Kings American Dispensatory, 18th ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1898, 1983.
Leng-Peschlowe. Alchohol-related liver diseases-use of Legalon®. Z Klin Med 1994;2:22-27.
Sonnenbichler J, Zetl I. Stimulating influence of a flavonolignan derivative on proliferation, RNA synthesis and protein synthesis in liver cells. In Assessment and Management of Hepatobiliary Disease. ed. L Okolicsanyi, G Cosmos, G Crepaldi. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1987, 265-272.
Tuchweber B, Sieck R, Trost W. Prevention by silibinin of phalloidin induced hepatotoxicity. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 1979;51:265-275.
Werbach MR. Alcohol craving. Internat J Alternative Complementary Med Jul 1993:32.