Top 3 Herbs For Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms Relief

Top 3 Herbs For Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms Relief

herbs for opiate withdrawal

herbs for opiate withdrawal

If you or someone you know is struggling with opiate addiction and finding it difficult to learn the best way to quit…you are not alone.

In fact, you are part of an ENORMOUS population of people that share a common bond.

It is estimated that somewhere between 26.4 million and 36 million people abuse opioids worldwide, with over 2.5 million residing in the US alone. I too was once afflicted with a severe opioid addiction.

Recovering from opiate addiction has been the most difficult challenge I’ve faced thus far in my 37 years of life.

But I recovered, and if I can do it…anyone can.

However, the statistics are not in our favor. Opiate abuse is increasing in exponential numbers, and for those individuals that actually manage to quit, it is estimated that 90% of them end up relapsing.

herbs for opiate withdrawal

This staggering statistic confirms the poor prognosis: Opioid dependence is, in fact, a chronic, relapsing condition.

But it doesn’t have to be. 

There is a superabundance of herbs that can be used to treat opiate withdrawal symptoms from home… and some of these herbs for opiate withdrawal are VERY POWERFUL.

In this article, I’m going to teach you about the Top 3 Herbs for Opiate Withdrawal Symptom Relief.

herbs for opiate withdrawal

1. Kratom

Many years ago, I was a counselor at an Opiate Treatment Program (OTP). During one of my individual counseling sessions, a patient on methadone told me about a plant named kratom for treating opioid withdrawal symptoms.

I went home after work and got on my computer.

I then proceeded to type kratom for opiate withdrawal in the search box.

The patient on methadone was right. This medicinal kratom plant could easily eliminate withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

kratom for opiate withdrawal

I’ve been studying kratom for several years now. I frequently recommend it to people that want a natural solution for opiate withdrawal symptoms.

Here are some interesting facts about kratom:

  • Kratom is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, which is a member of the coffee family.
  • Kratom is not an opiate, which are drugs derived from opium.
  • Kratom is an opioid agonist, which are natural or synthetic substances that bind to opioid receptors in the brain, thus mimicking the effects of opiates and preventing withdrawal symptoms.

kratom for opiate withdrawal

  • Kratom is not regulated by the DEA, making it legal to purchase and consume (a few states and cities have recently banned it though).
  • Kratom helps with opiate withdrawal, pain syndromes, depression, and anxiety.
  • Kratom contains an active alkaloid (7-hyrdoxymitragynine) that has been reported to be more potent than morphine.

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Kratom can be consumed by taking capsules, extracts, teas, or mixing the leaf powder with water or another beverage and drinking it.

herbs for opiate withdrawal

And while kratom can be extremely helpful, it can become addictive. Furthermore, if you take kratom daily for a couple of months or more, you could develop a dependence and suffer from opioid withdrawal symptoms upon immediate cessation of the plant.

Tapering off kratom can help.

Tapering is systematically lowering your kratom dosage over the span of a few weeks or longer. This prevents the shock to your body that ensues from detoxing cold-turkey.

herbs for opiate withdrawal

2. Cannabis

Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is a beautiful plant that is widely used for recreational and medicinal use throughout many parts of the world.

The main psychoactive constituent of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabidiol (CBD) is another compound in marijuana that has recently been shown to have numerous medicinal benefits.

Common marijuana effects include:

  • Relaxation
  • Euphoria
  • Increased appetite

marijuana for opiate withdrawal

In a study from 2013, it was suggested that marijuana use may help ameliorate withdrawal symptoms during Methadone Treatment.

In the study, 91 patients on methadone were studied at Thomas Jefferson University. The use of marijuana was found to decrease the patients’ scores on the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS).

Note: The COWS is an objective tool commonly used to measure the severity of opiate withdrawal symptoms. After the study ended, researchers found that marijuana may help to increase success rates of Methadone Treatment due to its ability to diminish the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Common opiate withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Diarrhea
  • Hot and cold flashes
  • Aching muscles and limbs

Using Marijuana for opiate withdrawal can result in the following benefits:

  • Reduction of anxiety
  • Relaxation of muscles and nervous system
  • Helps you fall and stay asleep
  • Mood-enhancer
  • Increased appetite
  • Eases nausea and stomach pain
  • Painkiller

Note: Marijuana is currently illegal and classified as a Schedule 1 substance, meaning the U.S. federal government claims that it has a high potential for abuse and no medicinal value. However, many states have now passed laws to decriminalize or legalize marijuana for recreational or medicinal use, and each state has their own regulation system in place.

Marijuana is currently illegal and classified as a Schedule 1 substance, meaning the U.S. federal government claims that it has a high potential for abuse and no medicinal value. However, many states have now passed laws to decriminalize or legalize marijuana for medicinal or recreational us, and each state has their own regulation system in place. Click here to view the legality of marijuana by U.S. jurisdiction.

3. Passion Flower

Passion Flower is an exquisite flowering plant that has a long history of use among Native Americans in North America and European colonists.

Throughout history as well as the present day, passion flower has been used to treat a number of health conditions.

passion flower for opiate withdrawal

Presently there are around 14 conditions passion flower has been used for, but for the purposes of this article, I will concentrate solely on how it can help ease opiate withdrawal symptoms.

Passion flower has been shown to be helpful for:

  • Insomnia
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) upset due to narcotic drug withdrawal
  • Opiate withdrawal
  • Nervousness and excitability
  • High blood pressure
  • Pain relief

Note: Passion flower can effectively treat depression during opiate withdrawal. Furthermore, in a study passion flower was shown to be helpful for the mental symptoms associated with opiate withdrawal.

Passion flower contains the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors harmaline and harmine. Passion flower also contains several flavanoids that are MAO inhibitors, including apigenin, kaempferol, and quercetin. MAOs are enzymes that break down neurotransmitters and stop their messaging activity.

Thus, taking passion flower for opiate withdrawal can result in an abundance of the following mood-boosting chemicals in the brain:

  • Serotonin – Makes you feel emotionally relaxed.
  • Norepinephrine – Increases energy, fights fatigue, fights depression, helps the body respond to stress.
  • Epinephrine – Increases energy, fights fatigue, fights depression, helps the body respond to stress.
  • Dopamine – Responsible for feelings of pleasure and enjoyment in life.

herbs for opiate withdrawal

Note: Passion flower also increases brain levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that acts as a “mental relaxant.” It helps with anxiety, insomnia, and muscle tension.

Herbs For Opiate Withdrawal – Conclusion

As you can see, there are some powerful herbs for treating opiate withdrawal symptoms.

And kratom, cannabis, and passion flower are only my Top 3.

There are actually many herbs for opiate withdrawal that work well.

Using plant therapy to assist in the opiate recovery process is always an effective addiction treatment modality, especially when it’s combined with nutrition, exercise, and other supplements.

If you have any comments or questions on the use of herbs for opiate withdrawal, please post them in the comment box below.

22 Responses

  1. Thanks for the free info. Trying gabapentin (finally prescribed) for post stroke pain but I’m using it for pain pill withdraw and have added Kratom for a few days. tried both and outpatient and inpatient setup and was given terrible information no help and neither barely got off the ground. Back to opiates. Trying yet again. I’m also 59 not at all comparable to folks in their 20’s 30’s or even 40’s. Tough to find the right help. So trying myself AGAIN !

    1. Hi Tim,

      It’s my pleasure. And gabapentin has been known to work well for pain and also for opiate withdrawal. I wish you the best of luck and thanks for sharing a bit of you story. You can do this!!!

    2. Hi, I can relate to you! I’m 63 and have been in many rehabs and have been in suboxone for over 10 years. I’m afraid of the withdrawal so I keep taking it. I had been off of it for 11 days and the mental withdrawal is aweful. I have children, grandchildren and if they were on this medication I would do anything for them to get them off of it. Suboxone was never meant to be a maintainance medication. I got hooked when I went to rehab. We made it down like a miracle drug but in fact now I’m hooked on that ?

  2. Hi Matt,

    My husband has been on pain pills for 20 yrs, i’ve tried kratom. It did help with the withdrawal but he had no energy , so he started taking the pills again. What do u recommend for energy?
    Thanks,
    Jennifer

  3. I’m on suboxon for pain I did not know that my body would get addicted, I have tried tapering off that did not work I still got chills and nausea and still in worse pain, I have tried almost everything to get off it just because of the addiction, plz help!

  4. I’m currently addicted to oxycodone and would like to get off of them , but how many times a day and much do I need to take of these . Thank you p.s can you buy them in a all natural store a medical all natural store

  5. I’ve been on every pain medication out there over the course of 8 years. I gave up subutex by taking kratom; the red vein variety is more soothing. And now I am taking gabapentin, klonopin, Passion flower, Restful legs herbal supplement and Cannabis. Pleas pray for me because I’ve been to hell and back trying to get off opioids. “What a long, strange trip it has been…”

    1. Hi Connie,

      It’s been a pleasure following your journey, and your current list of remedies sure looks like a powerful combination! I’m praying for you and knowing you will be feel a lot better soon.

  6. Is lyrica helpful for withdrawals, I’m going off norco and lorazapam, every day less of the hot cold thing getting there one day at a time also on lyrica 50 mg take 2 day then want off that so by myself I’m facing the demon of addiction and proud to say I’ve stuck to it, scary but let the moment PASS. thanks for info.

  7. A love every bit of wot a,ve read. Already knew of sum these great helbal remedy,s,infact your whole top 3. Wish a got intouch earlier. As in last w,end. As now on day 5,cold turkey from oxys. Plus am in scotland an most 2 of your top 3 herbs,r hard 2 get,as like you said. Their illegal. On another point. Just want 2 say really well done 4 wot you have accieved in al this info. Your sum man. A take a lot courage from reading your story.

    1. Hi Stevie G,

      Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and I bet it’s beautiful there in Scotland…yet it can be hard to get herbs in many countries. I wish you the absolute best on your journey.

  8. This article has really opened my eyes to herb therapy. I’ve never been one to have a green thumb but I wonder is the growth of these would be impossible. Im a mother of 4. Upholding a household on 130mg of methadone a day. The clinic I go to doesn’t dose down the way I think is healthy for ones body nor sobriety honesty. Almost designed for relapse. The issue Im having is after myself and my husband both got clean he is now off of methadone completely (thank god its not cheap at all for 1 much less 2). We are stable with our heads above water. I don’t want key children to witness withdraw. My son cries when I get a paper cut. I tear up thinking of key kids seeing me sick. I hid addiction for a long time. Hit rock bottom found Christ, found myself. ….and now want my body back completely. Help! …

  9. My daughter wants to get off herion . Been on it many years. Wants to use kratom. Any suggestions on types and dosage and howe long it will take. I’ve researched this and think it would work. Thanks. .

  10. Kratom is a mysterious and magical herb with psychoactive consequences. Certain effects can differ from stimulation to relaxation depending on the person as well as the strain. kratom used as an anti-depressant as it can have euphoric and mood enhance qualities. Effect of kratom is depend on amount of dosage taken by individual. Even I take kratom to maintain my sugar level as I suffering from daibetes. Rather side effects of Kratom are relatively mild and are never serious. These typically include loss of appetite, upset stomach, mild headache, increased thirst, and drowsiness. Look at the amount of people taking it in high doses and the lack of serious repercussions.

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