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Alcoholic beverages are widely
consumed around the world. During festive seasons, the rate of alcoholic
consumption would hit new peaks. India has been witnessing a massive rise in
alcohol consumption.

As a result, alcoholism has emerged
as a serious public health hazard. At the same time, only a few are aware of
the fact that alcohol and its metabolite acetaldehyde are extremely toxic and
harmful to the liver and associated organs of the body.

There are a wide variety of synthetic
drugs available for treating the adverse effects of alcoholism. But these drugs
have side effects that can result in behavioural changes in the person
consuming alcohol.

However, including some natural products
such as medicinal herbs, fruits and vegetables as dietary supplements can
prevent as well as cure the health problems caused by alcohol consumption.

How Can Our Food
Help?

The first step towards protecting the
body against the perils of alcoholism is modification of the diet. Fruits such
as blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, orange, apple etc., along with dried plum,
raisins (dried grapes), must form a major part of the food items we consume.

If you are already having these,
their amount must be increased. Fresh fruits are rich in anti-oxidants which
are inevitable to maintain the health of the liver.

Fruits like apple also have the
ability to remove heavy metal residues accumulating in the intestine. Onion and
garlic are rich in sulphur and can help the liver in detoxifying the body.

The ‘toxins’ entering the body can be
from the food additives like ‘Ajinomoto’, mercuric compounds, synthetic
hormones etc. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beetroot and
sprouted grams are rich in enzymes that can strengthen the detoxifying functions
of the liver.

Glucose is needed for the body to
derive energy, but excess glucose will be converted to fat and stored in the
body. This can impair the functioning of glands such as the liver. An alcoholic
person, whose liver over-worked detoxifying alcohol, must take extreme care to
protect the liver from damage. Packaged drinks which contain high quantities of
sweeteners and preservatives must be avoided. 

In addition to the above precautions,
the following natural remedies can well maintain the health in alcoholic
persons and also those who are recovering from the ill-effects of alcohol:

1. Banana-Flower
and Stem

Banana-flower, known in Malayalam as Vazhakkoombu,
as well as its ‘’stem’ known as Vazhappindi, are rich sources of many
polyphenolic compounds that have antioxidant properties. Researchers have found
higher content of polyphenols, flavonoids, total dietary fibre, insoluble
dietary fibre, lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, antioxidant capacity and
free-radical scavenging capacity: (Aziz, N. A. A., et al., (2011). Chemical and
functional properties of the native banana pseudo-stem and pseudostem tender
core flours. Food Chemistry, 128: 748–753).

Minced banana-flower or banana-stem
can be used in soups or salads. It can be also fried in oil, seasoned with
mustard seeds, to which fenugreek, onion, coriander powder, cumin seeds and
curry leaves can be added. This can be taken as a dish with salt and pepper.
This preparation is good for alcoholics, diabetic patients and for the health
of uterus in women.

2. Bitter Gourd

Bitter gourd, popularly known in
Malayalam as Pavaykka or Kayppanga contains therapeutic compounds
like momordicoside and p-methoxybenzoic acid which are proved to be efficient
in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, inflammation, viral
infections, autoimmune diseases and disorders of the digestive system.

In the case of treatment of harmful
effects of alcoholism, however, its antioxidant properties are made use of. The
juice of the fruit of bitter gourd has the capacity to repair damaged liver
cells. The juice of the fruit or leaves can be mixed with buttermilk and taken
in empty stomach every morning.

It can also curb addiction to alcohol
(Madhu Gupta, et al., Momordica charantia Linn. (Karela): Nature‟s Silent
Healer. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research,
Volume 11, Issue 1, 2011; 007: 32- 37).

3. Aloe Vera

The pulp of Aloe vera, known in
Malayalam as Kattaarvazha, contains molecules of glucose and mannose as
linear chains, in which mannose is more concentrated than glucose. It also
contains Anthraquinone, Aloesin, and Aloe emodin which is an oxidative product
of Aloin. The gel of Aloe vera helps to strengthen the liver and improves its
functions.

Aloe vera effectively detoxifies the
body. Intake of a glass of aloe vera juice everyday helps in fighting against
alcoholism. It is traditionally used to treat arthritis, skin cancer, burns,
eczema, psoriasis, diabetes and cosmetic problems. It also prevents the
formation of cirrhosis, where the normal liver tissues are replaced by the
fibrous tissue. (W. A. Saka et al., Hepato-therapeutic Effect of Aloe Vera in
Alcohol- induced Hepatic Damage. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 2011;
14(14): 742- 746).

4. Brahmi

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) known as kapotavanka
in Sanskrit, contains alkaloids lie brahmin, saponin, nicotine, herpestine,
betulic acid, stigmastarol, beta-setosterol, bacosides and nacopasaponins. It
is traditionally used to enhance three basic functions of the brain, such as,
the power of learning, power of retention and power of recall.

However, it is also astringent,
anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and antiepileptic and
can alleviate menstrual pain. Brahmi is also a powerful remedy for the
treatment of addiction to alcohol. It can reduce the cravings and calm the
emotional eruptions which occur during the ‘withdrawal period’.

For this, Brahmi-powder can be
taken along with ghee or tea: (Deepali Mathur, et al.,. The Molecular Links of
Re- Emerging Therapy: A Review of Evidence of Brahmi (Bacopa monniera).
Frontiers in Pharmacology Ethnopharmacology).

5. Giloy

Known in Sanskrit as Amrita
and Chittamruthu in Malayalam, Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) extract has
well-proved hepato-protective effect against alcoholism. It can lower the
levels of FAAs (fatty acid amides) and can protect the liver by reducing the
levels of liver-specific enzymes and lipids. It can also have an effect on the
brain and nervous system of the addicted person through its intervention in dopamine
metabolism.

As a treatment for alcoholism-induced
health problems, the stem of Giloy cut into the length of one inch can be put
in a glass of water, kept overnight (8 hours) and then taken in empty stomach.
The juice of the stem (10-15 ml) mixed with honey and regularly taken also can
give the same effect: (Soham Saha, and Shyamasree Ghosh. Tinospora cordifolia:
One plant, many roles. Ancient Science of Life, PMC, Wolters Kluwer, Medknow
Publication, April 2012; 31(4): 151- 159).

6. Arjuna

Known in Sanskrit as Dhavala,
Arjuna is known to Keralites as Neermaruthu (Terminalia Arjuna). It is a
mighty tree, the bark of which is used as medicine. The stem-bark contains
includes arjunic acid, tannins, arjunones, betullinic acid and ellagic acid.

The bark powder (1 to
3g), boiled in water and milk, can be taken two to three times a day. The bark,
if collected directly from the tree, it must be taken as strips of 25 cm in
length and 5 cm in width. This must be dried in shade, in places with enough
aeration. The bark should then be powdered and mixed with milk at the rate of 10
g with added honey for sweetness. It can be taken in empty stomach with
buttermilk. (Amol A. Dambal. Terminalia arjuna: Phytochemistry, pharmacognosy
and pharmacological studies. Pharmatutor Pharmacy Infopedia).