13 Herbs that Help You Quit Smoking For Good
People that have never been addicted to nicotine may not realize how hard it is for some to kick the habit.
Gum, patches, and pharmaceuticals can help but they are costly and the side effects are not something to ignore. Here are some herbs that have a reputation for helping people to quit smoking.
These herbs will help you overcome not only the physical addiction but the stress relieving mental habit. Most of them can be found in either dried bulk, capsule, or liquid extract form. Follow the directions on the label for use. If using dried herbs, use them only to prepare tea, and never smoke them as a replacement for tobacco.
Lobelia: This powerful herb has helped many people beat their nictotine cravings by helping to calm the mind and relax the body. Lobelia is also reputed to have the effect of making cigarettes taste unpleasant.
St. John’s wort: One of the best known herbs for promoting a positive mental attitude–something people often need help with during the early phases of becoming a non-smoker.
Black cohosh: You may have heard of this one being used by women to stay balanced during their monthly cycle. It is also known to be a side effect free sedative that relieves nervousness and anxiety. This makes it especially useful for the irritability, restlessness, and nervousness associated with quitting smoking.
Blue vervain: This natural tranquilizer can be used to calm the nerves. It also makes a great natural remedy for insomnia. It may be just what you need to get you over the hump.
Catnip: It’s not just for your furry friends. Catnip makes a good choice if you want a relaxing blend in a tea and it’s super easy to grow. It has a soothing and relaxing effect on the digestive system, and helps to relieve diarrhea, flatulence, indigestion, upset stomach, and headaches which are commonly associated with nicotine withdrawal. Catnip also has antispasmodic properties that make it useful for abdominal cramps as well as chronic coughing and is also good for alleviating sleeplessness. Catnip’s antibiotic and astringent properties are also beneficial for treating colds and bronchial infections.
Hyssop: This one has been known to alleviate the anxiety and even hysteria that is sometimes associated with smoking withdrawal. It also has the ability to clear mucus congestion in the lungs associated with COPD.
Korean ginseng: One of the most popular herbs in the world for stimulating energy and helping the body deal with stress. This herb alleviates the fatigue and anxiety you may experience when quitting. Ginseng is known to help reestablish balance in the body’s systems, which can be helpful to smokers as their bodies adjust to the absence of nicotine.
Motherwort: An effective sedative that induces tranquility in times of anxiety associated with quitting smoking.
Oat straw or oat seed: Stress, nervous debility, and exhaustion, especially when associated with depression (which commonly plagues those who have just quit) is strongly combated by this natural remedy.
Peppermint: Relaxes the muscles of the digestive system, combats flatulence, and stimulates the flow of bile and other digestive juices. The oil in peppermint will alleviate nauseousness you may experience while trying to quit. It can also help with headaches which are commonly associated with digestion. Peppermint also eases anxiety and tension.
Skullcap: This plant contains compounds that help the brain produce more endorphins (naturally occurring chemicals that promote feelings of well-being). When you quit smoking your body is screaming out for these endorphins that the nicotine used to trigger. Skullcap relaxes states of nervous tension while renewing and reviving the central nervous system.
Slippery elm: A rich nutrients which is easy to digest makes it an excellent food during times of digestive discomfort, which can be a common symptom of withdrawal. It works with the body to draw out impurities and toxins, assisting with the cleansing and renewal of the lungs and entire body.
Valerian: This sedative herb is commonly used to aid people with anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It also acts as a muscle relaxant. Valerian can be very useful when dealing with insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety associated with smoking cessation.
Another important step to consider in your quest to quit is switching to an organic additive-free brand of tobacco for a week or two before you bite the bullet. The reason for this is that big tobacco brands contain various addictive chemicals to make quitting even harder. By breaking the habit of your favorite brand first, giving up nicotine on its own may not be as tough as you thought.
If you found this information helpful please share it with anyone who it may be able to help. Sometimes people truly want to quit but just don’t know how to overcome the withdrawal symptoms naturally. Thanks for reading and we hope to see you on REAL farmacy again soon.
Source: realfarmacy.com
“13 Herbs that Help You Quit Smoking For Good”