Using essential oils for alcoholism addiction recovery might sound a bit lame. But many studies suggest the efficacy of these oils in undoing this addiction.
Alcoholism is a global disease. It is responsible for more than 30 other chronic health problems. [1]
Excessive alcohol consumption has so many adverse effects on health and society. Alcoholism is a risk factor for three significant problems: illness, mortality, and disability. [1]
The startling fact is that more than 18 million adults in the USA alone are alcoholics. [1]
If you have found it difficult to live without your favorite liquor, don’t worry. It’s never too late to start a recovering journey from alcoholism.
This article will review some of the effective essential oils for alcoholism and their uses. These essential oils may be effective as supplement treatments in quitting this bad habit.
5 Best Essential Oils for Alcoholism and Withdrawal Symptoms
Essential oils are famous for their anti-depressant and anti-anxiety properties. Most alcoholics have severe psychological issues related to stress, anxiety, and depression. [2]
Essential oils have calming and relaxing effects. These beneficial effects may help the alcoholic. Moreover, essential oils are useful in creating a sense of psychosomatic well-being. [3]
1. Lavender Oil
Lavender is one of the most popular and versatile aromatic oils. The floral-scented essential oil originates from the lavender flowers through steam distillation. [4]
People have been using this oil for thousands of years for medicinal purposes.
Lavender oil is an excellent stress reliever. The aromatic oil is rich in sedative, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety properties.
Lavender oil is your ultimate choice in aromatherapy. Because it may manage the psychological stress and anxiety related to alcohol addiction. Moreover, the oil is superb for relieving conditions like insomnia and hypersensitivity. [5]
Key Takeaway:
Lavender oil is an excellent stress reliever. It helps you get rid of anxiety, depression, and insomnia due to heavy drinking.
Read More: 11 Health Benefits of Lavender Oil That You Should Know
2. Lemon Oil
Lemon is a citrus fruit that is full of vitamin C and minerals.
Lemon oil comes from the lemon rind. The citrus-flavored oil has rejuvenating and purifying effects on your body and mind.
Lemon oil is an active healing agent in your withdrawal journey for some reasons. Your liver is one vital organ of the body that suffers the most due to alcohol consumption. [6]
The liver metabolizes alcohol and produces certain toxic byproducts such as acetaldehyde.
These toxic elements further damage the cells of the liver.
Lemon oil may detoxify your kidney and liver. Moreover, the oil can rebalance the pH levels of the blood and reduce dehydration.
Its strong anti-depressant and sedative components may revitalize your body and mind. [6]
Lemon oil may break you free from the rigid genetic marker or pattern of being an alcoholic. Lemon oil does it by affecting your aura.
Key Takeaway:
Lemon oil detoxifies your liver, as well as your kidney. Besides its potent sedative and antidepressant properties help you relax.
Read More: 10 Ways Lemon Oil Can Benefit your Health
3. Black Pepper Oil
Black pepper is a famous Indian spice. It has various uses in the culinary, medicine, perfume, and preservative industries.
Black pepper oil originates from the therapeutic spice and has immense medicinal value.
A study states that black pepper oil may reduce the cravings for all sorts of addiction. Besides, it can relieve withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety. [7]
The powerful antioxidants boost oxygenation in the body and inhibit dehydration. Moreover, the oil can increase serotonin or feel-good hormones to curb depression.
Black pepper oil works as a natural diuretic. Its topical application may detoxify your system through urination and stimulate excess sweat. [7]
Key Takeaway:
Peppermint oil is a great choice to get rid of alcoholism. It is one of the beneficial essential oils for reducing alcohol cravings. Not only this oil may detoxify your system, but also it reduces your addiction to alcohol.
4. Ginger Oil
Ginger is a potent rhizome or underground roots with exceptional therapeutic benefits. The medicinal use of ginger dates back to 4700 years back among the Chinese and Indians.
Ginger oil comes from ginger roots through steam distillation. The interesting fact is that the oil contains the highest amount of gingerol. It is the therapeutic property of ginger. [8]
Alcoholism has both negative psychological and physiological tolls on your body. According to research, ginger oil has hepatoprotective or liver-protecting effects. You have already known that may be alcohol damages the liver most acutely. Hence, ginger oil may restore your liver to a healthy state. [9]
Key Takeaway:
Ginger oil has liver-protecting effects. Thus, it can repair your damaged liver due to alcoholism.
Read More: 10 Health Benefits of Ginger Oil That You Should Know About
5. Roman Chamomile Oil
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil is steam distilled from the flowers of chamomile plants. Chamomile is one of the oldest medicinal plants in the world.
Roman chamomile oil is famous as a mood booster and stress reliever. [10]
The oil is rich in mild sedative and antidepressant properties. [11]
Hence, this oil may affect your brain and induce calmness, and relaxation in your nerves.
Chamomile oil functions as an emotional trigger in alcoholic patients. It may lower alcohol withdrawal symptoms. [10]
Internal use of the oil may help your liver discharge the poisonous byproducts of alcohol. Chamomile oil may boost a healthy immune system as well.
Key Takeaway:
Roman chamomile oil has antidepressant and sedative components. These properties help you relax and control anger or irritability during the withdrawal period. Besides, it helps your liver to get rid of toxins and boost your immunity.
Read More: 5 Best Essential Oils for Postpartum Depression Remedies
How to Use Essential Oils for Alcoholism Addiction?
You can make use of essential oils to recover from alcohol addiction in various ways. Some of the most effective methods are aromatic therapy, internal use, topical application, and essential oils for a drug detox bath.
Let’s learn some of these methods of using essential oils for addiction.
1. Essential Oils in Aromatic Therapy
How you can use essential oils for alcohol addiction with aromatic therapy:
- Add 3-5 drops of your favorite essential oil (lemon, lavender, or chamomile) to a diffuser. It will relieve your stress and anxiety in an instant.
- Also, you can pour a couple of drops on a handkerchief. Inhale the aroma to relieve your withdrawal symptoms.
Read More: 13 Benefits of Aromatherapy for Health and Wellness (Proven!)
2. Essential Oils Internal Use
Try this relaxing essential oil drink to get rid of alcoholism:
- Add a few drops of your preferred essential oil (chamomile, ginger, lemon, or black pepper) to a glass of warm water. Mix a teaspoon of honey for added flavor. Sip in the relaxing tonic twice a day to relieve stress and boost your immune.
- Also, you can fill a veggie capsule with a few drops of essential oil and consume it.
- Regular practice may reduce cravings for alcohol and other addictions.
3. Essential Oils Topical Application
Learn how to use an essential oil massage for alcoholism:
- Dilute 2-4 drops of any essential oil (ginger, lemon, black pepper, or lavender oil) with a carrier oil.
- Now, massage your temple, neck, chest, and bottom of your feet with the oil blend.
- Repeat the treatment twice or thrice daily.
4. Essential Oils for Detox Bath
A soothing essential oil for alcohol detox bath:
- Fill in the bathtub with lukewarm water.
- Now add 15 drops of ginger oil, 10 drops of each chamomile oil, lemon oil, lavender oil, and 100 ml. of coconut oil to the water one by one.
- Mix the carrier oil as well. Dip in the rejuvenating solution for 15-20 minutes to detox your system of alcohol.
Negative Effects of Alcoholism
Some of the medical conditions are the direct results of alcoholism.
These are Cancer, infectious disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neuropsychiatric disease. Liver and pancreas disease and intentional injury are also the results of alcoholism. [11]
But before we explore those issues, it is vital to learn what is alcohol and how it affects your body’s system.
Alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine, whiskey, rum, vodka, etc. contain alcohol or ethanol. This compound is both a depressant and an intoxicant.
Alcoholic beverages contain 3-40% volume of the intoxicating compound. A lower dose of alcohol may blur your senses and cause euphoria. Too much of it may result in intoxication and drunkenness.
Alcoholic drinks are legal in most countries. It is a favorite recreational drink in a social gathering. A 2014 report shows the liquor industry makes a revenue of more than 1 trillion dollars every year. If you are a chronic drinker, you may end up being an alcoholic. [12]
The crucial question is: Why a person becomes an alcoholic? Many physical, psychological, and social issues contribute to someone becoming an alcoholic.
You are an alcoholic if you don’t have control over the amount of liquor you consume and how often you consume it. Alcoholics may suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms or delirium tremens.
The symptoms may start within 5-10 hours of your last peg of drinks and turn worse after 48-72 hours. Some of the withdrawal symptoms are anxiety, depression, nausea, loss of appetite, dehydration, fever, etc. [12]
There are many traditional methods of treating alcoholism. These include rehabilitation, pharmaceutical drugs, lifelong therapies, etc.
Some alternative remedies are yoga, meditations, natural supplements, herbal medications, homeopathy treatment, and essential oils. These are relatively low-cost and are holistic approaches. [1] [2]
These natural ways may be effective treatments in your recovery journey from alcoholism. [12]
Read More: 12 Essential Oils for Anxiety that Work (with How to Use Them)
When to See a Therapist
Alcohol has firm control over your brain which makes it difficult to quit. Natural remedies such as essential oils can help you to stop drinking. But if it becomes too hard to live without it, you must consult a therapist.
You know you’re a hardcore drinker and need to see a doctor or therapist if you have the following symptoms:
- You always feel like you have to drink.
- Can’t control how much you drink.
- Shaking, having seizures, and hallucinations during withdrawal.
Final Word
The recovery journey from alcoholism is a long and strenuous journey. You need constant motivation from the people around you.
These essential oils may be effective remedies along with other therapies and treatments.
Remember these essential oils for addictions recovery are only supplement treatments.
The most important help that these essential oils offer you is psychological support. You need it the most during the alcohol withdrawal phase.
Read Next: How to Get Rid of Anxiety: 11 Effective Home Remedies
