Following is a complete list of herbs to quit smoking, including dosages & cautions.
Just some brief notes on smoking behavior & effects.
Smoking is as difficult a habit as we are likely to tackle. A main ingredient, nicotine is as addictive as heroin. Add to the physical addictions, the social & psychological rewards that accompany smoking & you can see why quitting is so tough.
And yet, many countries have seen smoking rates drop to 50% of the smoking rates of the 1970s. This is mostly due to research pointing to smoking’s causing ½ of cancer deaths, 1/3 of fatal heart attacks.
Still teens, or younger, are still drawn to smoking. Just tell the young boys that smoking increases the risk of impotence. Tell young girls that smoking speeds up wrinkling.
If you are trying to quit, you may want to consult our pages on anxiety & depression which may precede or follow attempts to quit.
Herbs to quit smoking fall under different classifications.
* Some remedies to stop smoking address the smoker’s lungs, work to help smoker process the effects of smoking on the lungs.
* Some smoking cessation herbs work on the feelings of anxiety & depression that quitting may cause.
* Other smokers require herbal remedies to battle the insomnia that may follow quitting.
* Still other herbs to quit smoking address the actual physical habit of smoking & so offer substitutes for the physical, psychological aspects of smoking.
* Finally, some stop smoking remedies work on helping the body correct cancer & heart disease promoting effects of smoking.
Smoking cessation herbs
St. John's Wort is a natural herbal remedy for smoking cessation as it decreases feelings of depression. Take ½ to 1 tsp tincture daily.
Mullein is one of the herbs to quit smoking because it helps soothe smoker’s lungs & speed healing. Drink 2 - 3 cups of mullein tea per day or 1 tsp of mullein, 2 - 3x.
Scuttelaria, an all natural stop smoking remedy, is known for its soothing effect on the body, is a well-known tonic for the nervous system.
Schisandra soothes lungs & eases coughs. Drink 2 - 3 cups of tea or ½ tsp tincture 1 - 3x daily.
Coltsfoot also soothes smoker’s lungs & helps them expel mucous. Drink 2 - 3 cups of tea or or 1 tsp tincture 3x daily. Do not use coltsfoot for more than one month per year.
Gotu cola helps with brain functioning & mood for smoking quitters. Take as directed.
Aren’t herbs great? Turmeric, a main ingredient in curry, is a valuable herb to quit smoking as it may reduce risk of cancer that smoking increases. So eat more delicious curried foods. You can also take capsules, 500 mgs, 2 - 3x daily or ½ tsp tincture 1 - 2x daily.
Lobelia is another of the useful smoking cessation herbs as it relaxes the lungs & engages nicotine receptor cells which may reduce cravings. Drink 2 - 3 cups of tea & 10 drops of tincture 2 - 3x daily.
Avena sativa (“oats”) is an excellent restorative & nerve tonic & balances brain functioning.
Skullcap may relieve anxiety that follows quitting. Drink up to 5 cups of tea or 2 tsps of tincture 3 - 5x daily.
Valerian, another useful herbal remedy to stop smoking, may help with insomnia. Take a couple of cups of tea or 2 - 3 tsps of tincture before bedtime. Avoid if you are pregnant.
Kava kava is one of the better herbs to quit smoking, a good complement to valerian, kava kava can be used to decrease anxiety in the daytime without promoting sleepiness. Drink up to 5 cups of tea or 2 tsps tincture 5x daily. Don’t use if you are pregnant & don’t combine with alcohol.
Passionflower also decreases insomnia. Take 1 tsp tincture 3x daily.
The following are remedies to stop smoking because they address the behavioral habit of smoking, you know having something in your hand & mouth, placing some sort of stick on your lips & mouth, etc.
Cinnamon sticks can be chewed on for distraction. Other health benefits included.
Ginger root sticks can also be sucked on, gently, for oral urges & numerous added health benefits.
Licorice sticks can be rolled around in the mouth to satisfy oral urges. It soothes lung tissue & helps expel mucous. Licorice should not be used long term due to potential side effects. Don’t use if pregnant, nursing, suffer from hypertension or heart disease.
Red clover flowers can be chewed on to also satisfy urges. Additionally, red clover may also help prevent various cancers.
Munching on some carrot sticks may also distract you. Carrots, too, are good for preventing cancer.
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