7 Natural Home Remedies To Help You Quit Smoking
Many people are struggling with smoking addiction. The truth of the matter is that, many people are willing to come out of it but it becomes very difficult. In this article, we are going to discuss how to overcome smoking addiction with some herbs.
If you’re a smoker, you know it’s not exactly good for your health. And you’re probably sick of all the posters and people (like us) telling you to quit. We know, we’re always writing articles saying how bad smoking is for your oral health, but we’re not giving you any tips on how to quit. So we did some digging and found the best herbal remedies to assist you during the quitting process.
When you inhale cigarette smoke, toxins and chemicals pollute the mouth completely stripping it of all the vital nutrients that aid your mouth’s natural healing abilities. This leads to greater inflammation and hinders immune functionality, which prevents your body’s natural ability to heal infection.
Smoking also causes gums to become swollen and undernourished. This is because the nicotine in tobacco constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow to your gums.
There are numerous studies to suggest that people who smoke are much more likely to develop gum disease and are prone to developing more serious gum issues that lead to tooth extraction as opposed to a non-smoker.
There is much debate as to whether vaping is as bad as smoking when it comes to your teeth and gums. But although the long term effects of e-cigarettes still aren’t well known, there is substantial evidence to suggest that vaping is extremely detrimental to your oral health and is certainly not a safe alternative.
Quitting smoking isn’t an easy thing. Your body can go through some uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, which can affect you physically and emotionally. But luckily, nature always lends a helping hand.
If you’re thinking of quitting smoking then you may want to try out some of these handy herbs to help you along the way.
Oat straw/seed is a potent herb that helps to relieve feelings of stress, exhaustion, and nervousness which are commonly experienced when quitting smoking. ( OATS Why Overnight Oats are Good for You - 23 Health Benefits of Eating Oats Soaked Overnight)
GREEN TEA
One of the most common herbal remedies used to control cravings associated with smoking is green tea. As a powerful antioxidant, green tea helps restore the oxidant/antioxidant imbalance that smoking has disrupted, and aids the body during the detoxification period. The components of green tea are also said to help reduce the urge to smoke.
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Smoking and Oral Health
When you inhale cigarette smoke, toxins and chemicals pollute the mouth completely stripping it of all the vital nutrients that aid your mouth’s natural healing abilities. This leads to greater inflammation and hinders immune functionality, which prevents your body’s natural ability to heal infection.
Smoking also causes gums to become swollen and undernourished. This is because the nicotine in tobacco constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow to your gums.
There are numerous studies to suggest that people who smoke are much more likely to develop gum disease and are prone to developing more serious gum issues that lead to tooth extraction as opposed to a non-smoker.
There is much debate as to whether vaping is as bad as smoking when it comes to your teeth and gums. But although the long term effects of e-cigarettes still aren’t well known, there is substantial evidence to suggest that vaping is extremely detrimental to your oral health and is certainly not a safe alternative.
7 Herbs to help you quit smoking
Quitting smoking isn’t an easy thing. Your body can go through some uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, which can affect you physically and emotionally. But luckily, nature always lends a helping hand.
Natural Home Remedies To Help You Quit Smoking
If you’re thinking of quitting smoking then you may want to try out some of these handy herbs to help you along the way.
CATNIP
Catnip is one of the most popular herbs to ease withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking. It contains antibiotic and antispasmodic properties that may ease dry coughs, abdominal cramps, and headaches.
Catnip also helps with anxiety, irritability, and sleeplessness related to nicotine withdrawal.
Catnip is one of the most popular herbs to ease withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking. It contains antibiotic and antispasmodic properties that may ease dry coughs, abdominal cramps, and headaches.
Catnip also helps with anxiety, irritability, and sleeplessness related to nicotine withdrawal.
Usage:
Catnip can either be taken as a tincture or as a tea. In tincture form, a couple of drops on the back of the tongue is said to lessen cravings. If you are making catnip tea, you may want to add some lemon juice and honey for extra flavor.
VALERIAN
Valerian is a powerful herb of choice when it comes to quitting smoking. It can relieve muscle tension, restlessness, insomnia, and feelings of anxiety and irritability. Check out our blog, “5 calming herbs to soothe anxiety,” for other herbal remedies to deal with symptoms of anxiety that may arise.
Valerian is a powerful herb of choice when it comes to quitting smoking. It can relieve muscle tension, restlessness, insomnia, and feelings of anxiety and irritability. Check out our blog, “5 calming herbs to soothe anxiety,” for other herbal remedies to deal with symptoms of anxiety that may arise.
Usage:
Valerian is best taken in capsule form before bed.
OAT STRAW AND OAT SEED
Oat straw/seed is a potent herb that helps to relieve feelings of stress, exhaustion, and nervousness which are commonly experienced when quitting smoking. ( OATS Why Overnight Oats are Good for You - 23 Health Benefits of Eating Oats Soaked Overnight)
Usage:
Oat straw/seed can be taken in capsule, powder or tincture form.
GREEN TEA
One of the most common herbal remedies used to control cravings associated with smoking is green tea. As a powerful antioxidant, green tea helps restore the oxidant/antioxidant imbalance that smoking has disrupted, and aids the body during the detoxification period. The components of green tea are also said to help reduce the urge to smoke.
Usage:
Green tea is available in most grocery stores either sold as loose leaf tea or individual teabags.
READ MORE: 6 Recovery Options For Alcohol Addiction
KOREAN GINSENG
Korean Ginseng is one of the most popular herbs in the world for helping to relieve symptoms associated with smoking withdrawal. As a powerful adaptogen, this herb is most beneficial for helping the body deal with stress. Ginseng is especially helpful for soothing feelings of anxiety, relieving fatigue, and re-establishing balance in the body, which is needed for helping the body adjust to the absence of nicotine.
Korean Ginseng is one of the most popular herbs in the world for helping to relieve symptoms associated with smoking withdrawal. As a powerful adaptogen, this herb is most beneficial for helping the body deal with stress. Ginseng is especially helpful for soothing feelings of anxiety, relieving fatigue, and re-establishing balance in the body, which is needed for helping the body adjust to the absence of nicotine.
Usage:
Ginseng is best taken in tincture or capsule form.
ST JOHN’S WORT
This potent herb is used worldwide to control nicotine cravings. It is one of the most well-known herbs for stabilizing moods and easing symptoms of depression. As a mild sedative, it helps to relieve nervousness and anxiety, making it a useful remedy for irritability and restlessness associated with quitting smoking.
This potent herb is used worldwide to control nicotine cravings. It is one of the most well-known herbs for stabilizing moods and easing symptoms of depression. As a mild sedative, it helps to relieve nervousness and anxiety, making it a useful remedy for irritability and restlessness associated with quitting smoking.
Usage:
St John’s Wort is best taken in tincture or capsule form.
HYSSOP
Hyssop is a powerful decongestant and expectorant that helps clear lung mucus congestion that often results from smoking. This aromatic plant soothes and repairs irritated mucus membranes and is often used to treat respiratory ailments.
Get support
We know giving up smoking can be a difficult process, but it is the most beneficial thing you can do for your body, mind, and your wallet! As well as our listed herbs, you may want to consider joining a support group or working with a meditation teacher who can suggest breathing exercises and help you process emotions you may experience during the quitting process. There is a lot of help available so don’t be afraid to reach out.
“Quitting smoking can be a very good test of one’s character. Pass the test and you will have accomplished so much more than just get rid of one bad habit.”
— Abraham H. Maslow, an American psychologist
Stay safe !
Hyssop is a powerful decongestant and expectorant that helps clear lung mucus congestion that often results from smoking. This aromatic plant soothes and repairs irritated mucus membranes and is often used to treat respiratory ailments.
Due to its calming ability, hyssop helps soothe the nervous system and relieve anxiety associated with nicotine withdrawal.
Hyssop is also a diaphoretic herb, meaning that it promotes sweating which will help in detoxifying the body through the skin.
Usage:
Hyssop is best taken in tincture form or as a tea.
Usage:
Hyssop is best taken in tincture form or as a tea.
Get support
We know giving up smoking can be a difficult process, but it is the most beneficial thing you can do for your body, mind, and your wallet! As well as our listed herbs, you may want to consider joining a support group or working with a meditation teacher who can suggest breathing exercises and help you process emotions you may experience during the quitting process. There is a lot of help available so don’t be afraid to reach out.
“Quitting smoking can be a very good test of one’s character. Pass the test and you will have accomplished so much more than just get rid of one bad habit.”
— Abraham H. Maslow, an American psychologist
Stay safe !
DR. APPIAH
Dr. Appiah is a Natural Health Therapist (Naturopath) who engages the natural healing agents given by God to save lives. EAT FOOD AS MEDICINE! EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT!! FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE: WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS? WANT A PERSONAL(CERTIFIED) NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER? REACH ME DIRECTLY ON WHATSAPP +233245643615 appiahinok@gmail.com
