Effective Herbal Remedies to Help You Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking could be the smartest decision you ever make, and there are many herbal remedies that can help you kick the cigarette habit for good. 

No matter how old you are or how long you have been smoking, you will be able to reap the health benefits of quitting instantaneously. It becomes easier to breathe as your lung function improves and your heart rate normalises, your sense of taste and smell becomes accurate, and your skin starts to feel softer and smell nicer.

Kicking your smoking habit also dilates your blood vessels, which in turn reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, lowers your blood pressure and significantly reduces your long-term risk of heart disease, lung cancer, stroke and emphysema, just to name a few. What's more, you can bid dry mouth and bad breath good riddance! 

Side effects of quitting

Quitting smoking allows the body to immediately detoxify from toxins such as nicotine that you have been absorbing with every cigarette you smoked. When you stop, you may for a short time experience a few unpleasant physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms that will fade over the course of a few days or weeks. Some of these side effects include:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Sweating
• Insomnia
• Weight gain 
• Dizziness
• Sweet cravings

Herbs to help you quit smoking

Smoking is a physical and psychological addiction that causes the body's levels of dopamine, or feel-good hormone, to plummet once you quit. Herbal remedies are plant-based treatments used for supporting the body's natural healing ability. They work by raising dopamine levels back to normal, which reduces the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and cravings in people who are aiming for tobacco smoking cessation.

Today more and more people are choosing to use herbal remedies to support their quitting process. Here below are some herbal remedies to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce the urge to smoke.

Valerian

Valerian is a powerful herb of choice that may be used when quitting smoking. It relieves muscle tension, insomnia, and feelings of stress and anxiety.

Black cohosh

Black cohosh acts as a natural sedative and may help alleviate the nervous tension, anxiety and irritability experienced when quitting smoking.

Catnip

Catnip has a variety of properties that may ease withdrawal symptoms. It contains antibiotic properties, may ease dry coughs and soothe stomach and headaches.

Oat straw and oat seed

Oat straw/seed is a potent herb that relieves the feelings of stress and exhaustion associated with depression, which is commonly experienced when quitting smoking.

Skullcap

The chemical compounds of skullcap stimulate the human brain to produce natural endorphins that promote a feeling of emotional wellbeing. It also has been shown to relieve nervous tension in the body whilst simultaneously reviving the central nervous system.

Mimosa Hostilis & Mimosa tea

Native to Northeastern Brazil and Mexico, the root of this evergreen shrub plant has psychoactive properties that may help reduce the headaches, anxiety and grumpiness brought on when quitting smoking. It is taken in tea form, and is non-addictive in nature.

Lobelia

Lobelia, otherwise known as Indian tobacco, is used in herbal smokeless tobacco alternatives. Whilst science has recently shown it produces nicotine-like effects, it was shown to not carry the addictive nature of nicotine. It has also been used for centuries as a natural expectorant (cleans the lungs), to reduce inflammation, muscle tension, and hyperactivity and to create repulsion against the flavour of tobacco. Please beware that serious side effects may be experienced with overuse, such as vomiting, low blood pressure and breathing difficulties.

Korean Ginseng

Korean Ginseng is used worldwide to relieve symptoms of stress including the withdrawal symptoms of quitting smoking. It helps sooth feelings of anxiety, relieves fatigue and reestablishes a balance in the body, which may be absent as the person's body adjusts to the lack of nicotine it has been used to. It can be incredibly helpful to tobacco users who are trying to quit, especially during the first few weeks when you experience intense cravings for nicotine. 

Source: Bell Wellness Center

Ginger

Two of the most common side effects of quitting smoking are feeling irritable and keeping your hands busy. For many smokers, the physical act of holding a cigarette between their fingers is just as important as puffing cigarette smoke. Ginger is very helpful for both of these withdrawal symptoms, as it stimulates blood flow throughout your body. This allows your body to eliminate nicotine more quickly, as well as treating nausea that is common in the early stages of withdrawal.

Garlic

Garlic herbal remedies contain an active ingredient called allicin, which has been shown in studies to reduce the effects of nicotine on smokers' bodies. It also helps relieve withdrawal symptoms that smokers experience when they try to quit such as weight gain and mental health issues like anxiety.

St John's wort 

St John's wort is also used worldwide to help control the cravings of nicotine. It helps promote confidence and a healthy attitude towards your quitting process, and helps alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety that both may accompany nicotine withdrawal.

Hyssop

Hyssop contains properties that clear the lung mucous congestion that often results from smoking. It has also been shown to alleviate other withdrawal symptoms such as hysteria and anxiety.

These herbs work in different ways, but all of them will reduce your nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Generally speaking, herbal remedies will take several weeks before they start working. In fact, it can take up to three months for herbal remedies to have a substantial effect on the brain chemistry behind tobacco cravings. However, most people who don't have health complications find that herbal remedies start having a positive impact within two weeks or even just a few days.

Find a qualified herbalist in your area on the Natural Therapy Pages, who can help you start a smoking cessation programme.