Freedom From Addiction

At the turn of the last century, a large percentage of the Chinese population was addicted to opium. Though many means were used to rid the country of this scourge, Chinese medical treatments also played a role. Many addicts were helped by an herbal formula known as the Tea of Fog Mountain, which is known today as Westlake Stop Smoking Tea.

Many addictions and excesses like overeating, smoking, and compulsive behavior can all be reduced using these herbs and methods. Though it's exact mechanism is unknown, it's success over centuries of use is indisputable.

Herbs for Addiction

There is no single herb that can stop addictions, but the right herb formula can be very helpful. 

For those with alcohol addictions, GE GEN (Kudzu root or flowers) has been used in East Asia for centuries to treat drunkenness and intoxication. Tests at Harvard Medical School concluded that the compounds in Kudzu offer promise as effective agents for alcohol abuse.

Use as tea on a regular basis for three to five weeks for this purpose. Roots and flowers can both be used or combined. Flowers are steeped or quickly boiled. Roots should be boiled for 30 – 40 minutes. Powdered concentrate can be stirred into liquid.

Other formulas and products said to Calm the Spirit may also be helpful. The most effective will be the formula that matches the details of your diagnosis. It's best to see a practitioner about these.

Treatment for Addictions

Acupuncture and herbs can be very helpful for those quitting smoking. We've found that even after only one or two treatments, cravings are sharply reduced. After four or five treatments spread over a two-week period, seven out of ten patients will have managed to quit. Others will have drastically cut down on the number of cigarettes smoked daily. Five points on the ear are used. Small pellets or press tacks are taped over some of these points.

Depression & Anxiety

Many addictions and dependencies are related to deeper emotional issues, and TCM has a unique and highly successful way of treating this.

The way we see it, depression and anxiety are both signs of emotional constraint in the chest. Loss, fear of loss, memory of loss, repressed emotion, and other thoughts and events will cause constraint in the chest, restraining the normal flows of qi and blood in the central and upper body. We call this Liver qi stagnation. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs can help to release this constraint allowing depression and anxiety to move on. 

Information  on this page is provided for educational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional. We make no claims as to efficacy or safety of herbs or herbal medicine appearing on this site. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.