How to Quit Smoking Naturally

Alternative and Herbal Remedies For Quitting Smoking

Nicotine addiction is a serious condition and a condition that is very difficult to overcome. Smokers who try to quit say that withdrawal can be unbearable and therefore any type of help that can reduce infection is not only helpful but can improve their chances of success. Here are some natural and alternative remedies that may help. The best advice for those who quit smoking is to try everything and anything to free themselves from this cancer-causing addiction and to become cigarette free.

Acupuncture

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking alone kills about 5 million people worldwide each year. Acupuncture is an alternative form of medicine that can help in quitting smoking.

For some, the idea of ​​acupuncture combines images of excruciating pain caused by needles inserted into various delicate points of the body, not a pretty picture for the squeamish.

The term combines such distressing images as “acupuncture“, rest assured that acupuncture needles are completely different from syringe needles when inserted into the body to the point of being painless. They are hair-thin needles made to shallow the skin at specific points in the body, and the whole process is painless.

To help smokers reduce their smoking or even quit smoking, acupuncture needles are inserted into the ear at several points, assuming they are motivated to do so. Those needles remain there for about 20 minutes.

During the session, acupuncturists use transparent tape to implant small metal balls – similar to those used in ballpoint pens – at the acupuncture points of future quitters’ ears. They are instructed to press those balls lightly whenever they yearn for a smoke set. The gentle pressure of the balls stimulates the corresponding acupuncture points.

A study involving 141 participants concluded that acupuncture plus education was four times more effective than acupuncture alone.

Acupuncture is commonly used for stress relief and relaxation, and of course, it may be unavoidable when you quit smoking.

Hypnotherapy

The Cochran Collaboration, a not-for-profit network of health practitioners, conducted a study in 2000 to assess the efficacy of hypnotherapy in quitting smoking.

The study concluded that hypnotherapy was not as effective as counselling therapy, as it had no other effect on 6-month leave, compared to other treatment modalities in rates or no treatment at all.

However, half a decade later in 2006, two studies showed more promising results. The first study assigned hypnotherapy sessions to a group of participants. These participants had 1 hypnotherapy session once per week for 8 weeks, while the control group was placed on the waiting list.

At week 8, at the end of treatment, the smoking cessation rate for the hypnotherapy group was 40%; 60% at week 12 after treatment, and 40% at week 26 after treatment. Even after 1 year, the quit rate for hypnotherapists was 60%.

Hypnosis is a very viable form of alternative medicine that is used not only for smoking, but also for weight loss, relaxation, and motivation. This is definitely worth a try in your quitting efforts.

Meditation and Relaxation

The biggest obstacle to quitting smoking is the anxiety caused by nicotine withdrawal and this is where meditation and relaxation exercises can help a lot. Never underestimate the power of the mind in deciding what happens in the body.

There are various relaxation CDs that can help a lot, and there is also visual and contemplative meditation that can allow you to take your mind to another place, a peaceful journey that can reduce anxiety and calm you down because Your body withdraws from cigarettes.

Herbs That Help To Quit Smoking

Lobelia

The herb lobelia is used in many anti-smoking products, mainly because lobelin, the active ingredient of the herb, has the same effect as nicotine on the human body.

Studies have found that lobeline increases levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the human brain, in the same way, that cigarettes do a lot. Dopamine is responsible for producing feelings of happiness.

Lobelia is a poisonous herb; Therefore it should be used only when prescribed by a qualified physician, holistic medicine doctor or trained herbalist.

Herb poisoning can range from dry mouth to convulsions and even death, depending on the dosage variant, due to a number of physical conditions. What’s more, people with heart conditions and high blood pressure, expectant mothers, nursing women and children should never use lobelia.

St John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforated) is used to treat depression, with some preliminary studies validating the herb’s efficacy in stopping smoking.

To put this in perspective, a study required all participants who smoked at least one cigarette a day to smoke 450 mg of St. John’s Wort in parallel twice a day to seek anti-smoking counselling. At the end of 12 weeks, 9 out of 24 participants quit smoking, an impressive 37.5% cessation rate.

While not all studies had positive results, more than 24 studies have found that the herb was able to significantly reverse depressive mood and may help with post-cessation emotional disorientation.

Until now, all standard St. John’s wort extract supplements contained 0.3% of the active ingredient hypericin. A recent study suggests that hyperforin, another compound found in the herb, maybe the reason why St. John’s Wort works as an antidepressant.

On a cautionary note, St. John’s Wort has a tendency to interfere with certain prescriptions and other narcotics such as over the counter drugs. HIV and AIDS treatment drugs, medicines to prevent organ rejection and contraceptives for transplant patients.

It is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, children, people suffering from liver or kidney disease and people with bipolar disorder.

Ginseng

Nicotine releases the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain and causes smokers to experience a feeling of pleasure, resulting in addiction. Ginseng inhibits the nicotine-induced release of dopamine, however, no solid research has been conducted to establish the herb as an anti-smoking agent. Evidence exists, however, that ginseng can help.

Ginseng can help with side effects in the form of both Asian (Panax ginseng) and American (P. quinquefolius) ginseng – formerly called the more appropriate “adaptogen” – coping and adapting to the physical and mental stresses of leaving the body Smoking can help.

Ginseng has a positive effect on the brain. However studies have found that regular intake of ginseng significantly reduces response time to visual and auditory stimuli; Increases respiratory quotient; Increases alertness, concentration, and improves visual and motor coordination. All of which can become impaired during withdrawal from nicotine.

One criterion for choosing from the many ginseng products on the market is that 4 to 7% of ginsenosides have been standardized.

The next step is to follow the instructions on the label. Both standardized extracts and whole ginseng root will yield the most desired benefits.

A daily dose of 1 or 2 grams of ginseng can be swallowed by nibbling at the end of a root, which is soft and easy to digest. You can easily place a route in your preferred location, such as in a car or in your desk drawer, and start nibbling whenever you feel like it.

Milk Thistle

The liver plays an important role in filtering the toxins produced by smoking, therefore, it is important to ensure that it works properly. Milk thistle seeds (Silybum marianum) can be used to produce extracts that support healthy liver functions.

Silymarin, at 70% concentration, is central to standardized milk thistle extract. Studies have proven that standardized extracts of the milk sac replace the liver’s outer cell and prevent toxic chemicals from entering the liver’s inner cells.

The extract also enhances the liver’s ability to form new cells, which activates liver-specific antioxidants. These antioxidants then eliminate the notorious oxygen radicals residing in the liver.

A standardized milk-thistle product should be able to administer 420 mg of silymarin in excess of three doses per day. On experiencing the expected result, which should occur in 6 to 8 weeks, the dose may be reduced to 280 mg per day.

Apart from loose stools, no side effects have been reported with the intake of milk thistle extracts.

Herbal Smoking Mixture

Coltsfoot is a traditional smoking herb. It can be found on the basis of many smoke mixtures. Smoking herbs may serve as an alternative to traditional tobacco smoking, the latter consisting of tar and harmful additives. Coltsfoot helps to heal pleural tissue, loosen secretions and tone the lungs.

Herb’s That Easily Veins

Herbs that are mildly manipulative have two-fold benefits: they calm the nerves and prevent the clearance of nicotine. Green oats are believed to have both faint and tonic effects on the nervous system.

Postoperative expiration periods will always call for a varying degree of anxiety and panic attacks. While in such a situation, Passionflower can be used as a remedy.

Moods and depression brought on by quitting smoking can be cured by Kava Kava, which is an effective antidote to such emotional disorientation.

The anxiety that occurs immediately after quitting smoking can be removed from the scalp. It should be taken alone during the day, and at night with valerian as a natural sleep aid.

Valerian is known to relax strained muscles. It is highly effective for insomnia, it is one of your irritable symptoms if it occurs, and allows you to get a good night’s sleep.

Final Thoughts:

It is important to remember that the safety of supplements and herbs in expectant mothers, nursing mothers, children, and those with any medical conditions and/or are under any medications is yet to be established.

It is a prudent decision to talk with a certified health / holistic practitioner before taking any alternative medicine in the form of herbs or supplements to quit smoking.