Quit smoking with the help of nature
Smoking is very dangerous for your health. Most smokers feel that there is nothing they have not tried to quit smoking. However, they may not be aware of the many natural means available that others have used to finally break this destructive habit. Quitting smoking is possible if you make a plan, cleanse and support your body, and use natural methods to curb nicotine cravings.
Most, if not all, people in the United States believe that smoking is unhealthy. Why then do people smoke? The answer lies in the addictive nature of nicotine. More than 80 percent of smokers say they want to quit and plan to quit at some point. Even heroin addicts admit that nicotine is actually the hardest drug addiction to kick. (Haas, p.964)
Almost one third of cases of pancreatic carcinoma can be attributed to smoking. Most lung cancers are caused by cigarette smoking. (Smokers are five to 10 times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers.) The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the higher your risk of lung cancer.
Children of smokers are at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, respiratory infections, and lung cancer.
“Children of smokers have a much higher incidence and severity of asthma, bronchitis, colds and ear infections. They also have impaired lung development and reduced pulmonary function tests.” American Journal of Public Health, p. 209, February 1989)
By eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of clean water, and taking a daily vitamin supplement, you can feel that you are generally healthy. However, if you smoke, this is usually not the case. Heavy smokers don’t benefit as much from a healthy diet. Blood levels of vitamin C are much lower in smokers. Zinc, vitamin A, and folic acid are often depleted in the bodies of smokers.
Now that we’ve covered just a few of the negative effects of smoking on the body, let’s take a look at how to quit—and drug-free! It may surprise you to learn that there is a way to break free from this horrible addiction without using prescription drugs for help.
Now let’s cover some ideas on how to quit smoking.
Have you tried to quit smoking before and failed? Did you quit for a while and then start over? You may feel that because you tried and failed, it proves that you can’t quit. However, this is not the case. Actually, you get points every time you try to quit. You inevitably learned something every time you tried, which brings you that much closer to successfully quitting. Most dropouts didn’t make it on their first try. So think of it as your “practice” run! (3)
A major part of your quit plan is figuring out what interventions you’ll use when you have an urge to smoke. Try to avoid being around other smokers. Learn some deep breathing exercises that you can use to de-stress. Exercise is also a great way to limit stress and keep you busy.
One thing to consider once you’ve decided to quit is how to remove toxins from your body. One theory is that many dependencies originate in the liver. Cleansing and detoxifying the liver is a crucial first step in breaking free from these addictions. Liver detoxification will reduce nicotine cravings. (ENG, p. 279)
You can use echinacea to help remove nicotine from the lymphatic system and lungs. Vitamin C is a great chelator of toxic substances in the body. (Meaning it will “grab” offenders and flush them out through the waste system.) A usual dose of C is 1000 mg four times a day. N-Acetyl-Cysteine 1000 mg, two doses of Glutamine 1000 mg, four Evening Primrose Oils capsules, and 20 Sun Wellness Chlorella tablets are a good regimen to rid the body of nicotine toxicity. (Page 548)
It is important during your detox and smoking cessation that you “avoid junk food and sugar that aggravate cravings” (page p. 548). Ginseng can help normalize sugar cravings, as can stevia, stevioside, or FOS. Trace element and mineral deficiencies can play a role in some addictions. Magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc must be included in the diet when it comes to quitting smoking. (ENG, p. 279)
The number one concern when quitting tobacco is cravings! There are many options when it comes to this topic. Essential oils, vitamins, and herbal teas are all on the list of items in the “cravings” category.
Eating a diet that promotes alkalinity in the body is said to show less desire for tobacco. To calm nerves, try Magnesium 800 mg daily, Anti-Stress B Complex 100 mg daily, Valerian/Wild Lettuce drops in water. (Page, p.548) Young Living Essential Oils offers a blend called “Peace and Calm” that some people have reported was all they needed during their downtime.
Many people also report that clove oil is extremely effective in their war against nicotine cravings. In Stanley Burrough’s book “Master Cleanser” it states: “For those who wish to quit smoking, place a small amount (of clove oil) on your finger; place it on the back of your tongue and you will immediately lose the desire to smoke.” smoking. This is an easy way if you really want to quit.” Peppermint oil has also been reported to be effective. Just a dab on the tongue, the same way you apply clove oil, will do.
The individual oils that may be helpful for smoking cessation, aside from clove and peppermint, are cinnamon and nutmeg. Other recommended oil blends to reduce addictive behavior include Harmony, Thieves, Exodus II, Peace and Calming, JuvaCleanse, and JuvaFlex. These can be inhaled or diffused directly, applied topically to the temples and/or the back of the neck four times a day, or used as a warm compress on the liver.
Quitting smoking is not an easy task to undertake. However, if you give your body the right tools, you can repair the damage caused by smoking, you can reduce your cravings, and YOU CAN QUIT! Try some of these simple, natural and effective helpers. Nature is the best medicine, so believe in yourself and watch it happen!
Some resources for people who want more information:
Young Living essential oils, [http://www.fragrantfamily.com/sadiesgift]
Easyway by Allen Carr order at http://www.half.com or http://www.amazon.com
american Lung Association, [http://www.alamn.org] (then click “quit”)
Committed Quitters, http://www.committedquitters.com
National Cancer Institute, http://www.smokefree.gov
The Stop Smoking Center, http://www.stopSmokingcenter.net
The Master Cleanser by Stanley Burroughs, order at http://www.half.com or http://www.amazon.com
Bibliography:
1. Haas, Elson. Stay healthy with nutrition. Berkeley: Celestial Arts, 1992.
2. Essential Scientific Publication (2004). Essential Oil Desk Reference, 3rd Edition, http://www.essentialscience.net
3. American Lung Association Brochure Quiting For Life, 2003
4. Linda Page, Ph. D. Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for All, 12th Edition. Healthy Healing, Inc., 2004
5. Retrieved March 4, 2005 from http://www.getoutraged.com/facts_top_pg2.html