PART 3. THE REMEDIES
8
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
ADDICTION & SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Addiction and substance abuse tax the body, flooding it with chemicals that can cause great harm. While there are many important steps to stopping an addiction or controlling substance abuse, including professional support, good nutrition, and alternative treatments like acupuncture, herbal remedies are excellent at helping you manage tough withdrawal symptoms.
St. John’s Wort–Lemon Balm Tea Blend
YIELD: 2½ CUPS
STORAGE: AIRTIGHT CONTAINER
TIME: 5 MINUTES
Sometimes referred to as “nature’s Prozac,” St. John’s wort boosts your brain’s serotonin levels, lifting your mood and bringing some relief from the effects of withdrawal. The lemon balm imparts an uplifting fragrance.
1½ cups dried St. John’s wort
1 cup dried lemon balm leaves
Honey or stevia (optional)
1.In an airtight container, combine the St. John’s wort and lemon balm leaves.
2.Use 1 teaspoon of the herb mixture with 1 cup of boiling water to make tea.
3.Add some honey or stevia to sweeten, if desired.
4.Drink 2 cups of this tea each day.
St. John’s wort works best when taken regularly, and it can take between 2 and 3 weeks for you to really notice its effects.
Milk Thistle Liver Cleanse
YIELD: 1 TREATMENT
STORAGE: NOT RECOMMENDED
TIME: 5 MINUTES
Enjoy this cleanse as part of a complete detox. Milk thistle contains sylmarin, a combination of 3 powerful antioxidants that protect and repair liver cells while reducing inflammation.
20 drops milk thistle extract
1 teabag, any flavor
1 cup boiling water
1.In a mug, combine the milk thistle extract, teabag, and boiling water.
2.Steep for 5 minutes.
3.Sweeten, if desired. Drink 4 cups per day before meals and snacks.
4.Use this remedy for 1 to 2 weeks while detoxifying your body.
Dandelion Tonic
YIELD: 1 CUP
STORAGE: NOT RECOMMENDED
TIME: 10 MINUTES
Help your liver, kidneys, and spleen heal while clearing toxins with this simple tonic. Its taste is smooth, mellow, and mild, and drinking it will help you feel better.
2 teaspoons chopped dandelion root
1½ cups water
2 teaspoons raw honey
1.In a small saucepan, combine the dandelion root, water, and raw honey. Bring to a boil.
2.Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes.
3.Pour into a mug and cool slightly.
4.Drink 2 cups of tonic daily while recovering from substance abuse.