What can I do to stop smoking naturally? Smoking is expensive and unhealthy. Cigarette cost is different in every state, but if a pack is $5 and you smoke one pack a day, times that to 365 days, that is $1825 you could be spending on something else that year. If you’ve been smoking for 10 years, that is $18,250 you could have saved!
Research shows that smoking causes disease and even death, so what do we do once we are addicted to smoking? Nicotine is considered one of the most addictive substances in the world according to Dr. McGehee, a leading researcher testing nicotine effects on rat brains, but don’t fret because there is hope!
Did you know? The American Lung Association says that there are many harmful ingredients in cigarettes, here are a few of them they list:
- Acetone – found in nail polish remover
- Acetic Acid – an ingredient in hair dye
- Ammonia – a common household cleaner
- Arsenic – used in rat poison
- Benzene – found in rubber cement
- Butane – used in lighter fluid
- Cadmium – active component in battery acid
- Carbon Monoxide – released in car exhaust fumes
- Formaldehyde – embalming fluid
- Hexamine – found in barbecue lighter fluid
- Lead – used in batteries
- Naphthalene – an ingredient in mothballs
- Methanol – a main component in rocket fuel
- Nicotine – used as insecticide
- Tar – material for paving roads
- Toluene – used to manufacture paint
Wow! That’s scary!! What’s difficult however, is that once addicted to these chemicals, the body craves them. If you are determined to quit, know that there are withdrawal symptoms, so you need to be prepared. You might want to start this cessation during the weekend or when you don’t have to be around a lot of people, because you can get crabby. Other withdrawal symptoms may include: frustration, anxiety, anger, lack of concentration, headaches, high blood pressure, an increased appetite with cravings.
The first thing that you will want to do to beat this smoking addiction is to…
- Start to detox your body of these chemicals. You need to get rid of these toxins in the body. To read more about how to detoxify, check out my post here.
- Change your diet and start eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Your body will start to crave healthier things. Really!
- Take non-GMO vitamins, they will help especially with balancing the nutrient levels in your body and probably will help with anxiety too.
- Chew gum if you need an oral fixation instead of putting that cigarette into your mouth.
- Address emotional issues that may set you off. What are you going to do instead of smoking when you get stressed? Behavior modification and/or changing your environment is very important. Consider prayer and meditation on God, the Higher Power. Get support if you need it.
- Everyone has different body chemistry, so often you won’t know which one will work for you, but consider taking or doing any one or more of the following and as always consult with your physician first: [But remember, you must be consistent when trying them and not to give up too early. Bad habits are stubborn, so it takes time.]
- acupuncture
- apple cider vinegar to rid your home or mouth of smoke
- cayenne pepper
- ear massage
- ginger
- ginseng
- grape juice
- grape seed extract
- honey
- hyssop
- licorice
- limes
- Lobelia (possible drug interactions)
- oats
- passion flower for relaxation
- radishes
- water
There are also phone apps that help keep track of your efforts. I like this article The Best Quit Smoking Apps for 2018. which gives you some good FREE options.
Lastly, here is just some of the research behind these natural remedies:
- Passion flower extract antagonizes the expression of nicotine locomotor sensitization in rats
- EFFECT OF AVENA SATIVA (oats) ON CIGARETTE SMOKING
- Astralagus – Effects of medicinal herb tea on the smoking cessation and reducing smoking withdrawal symptoms.
- Acupuncture – Effect of Acupuncture on Smoking Cessation or Reduction
- Ear massage – Smoking Cravings are Reduced by Self-Massage of the ear
If you need more help, there is a program called 14 and Out to help you stop smoking and may bring you success as well. Good luck my friends!
Yes, I have realized this and that is what I’m doing this time. It’s funny that your article came out when it did, right when I’m in the middle of it yet again. Never give up! is my new mantra until I’m done. Thanks for the encouragement!
Hi Gary, Whatever you decide to do, I would definitely do it for long term until you are convinced you have beat this thing. Don’t give up, you are almost there!
I read a long time ago that Lobeline, found in Lobelia, has an almost exact same shape as the Nicotine molecule. If you take Lobelia, the Lobeline molecules fill up the receptors for nicotine thereby reducing the amount of nicotine molecules that can attach and stimulate the brain. Lobelia also has a healing/soothing effect on the lungs especially on those with COPD and Asthma.
I have used lobelia successfully to quit smoking 3 different times. It made it a lot easier to handle the withdrawal symptoms. The problem I have is after about 2 weeks of not smoking I start craving a cigarette real bad and sometimes I give in to it. I think I need to keep taking lobelia for a few months after being smoke free, I have not tried that yet. Has anyone else heard about Lobelia for quitting smoking? What were your results?