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 end this most destructive habit. It is possible to quit smoking by changing a plan, cleansing and supporting the body, and using natural methods to curb nicotine cravings.
Most, if not all, people in the United States believe that smoking is unhealthy. So why do people smoke? The answer lies in the addictive nature of nicotine. More than 80 percent of smokers state that they want to quit smoking and plan to do so at some point. Even heroin addicts admit that nicotine is actually the hardest drug habit to break. (Haas, p. 964)
Almost a third of pancreatic carcinoma cases can be attributed to smoking. Most lung cancers are caused by cigarette smoking. (Smokers are five to ten times more likely to get lung cancer than non-smokers.) The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you start 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 poor lung development and reduced lung function tests.” American Journal of Public Health, p. 209, February. 1989)
If you eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of clean water, and take a vitamin supplement on a daily basis, you may feel that you are generally healthy. However, if you smoke, this is usually not the case. Heavy smokers don’t get as much benefit 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 body of smokers.
Now that we’ve covered just a few of the negative effects of smoking on the body, let’s find out how to quit smoking – and drug-free! It may surprise you to learn that there is a way to free yourself from this horrible addiction without using prescription drugs to help you.
Let’s now look at some ideas on how to quit smoking.
Have you tried to quit smoking before and failed? Did you stop smoking for a while and then start again? You may feel that because you tried and failed, it shows that you cannot quit. However, this is not the case. You actually get points every time you try to quit smoking. You inevitably learned something every time you tried, which brings you that much closer to being successful in quitting. Most Quiters didn’t do it on their first try. So think of it as your “practice” career! (3)
A main part of your plan to quit smoking is figuring out what interventions you will use when you feel like smoking. 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.
Something to consider once you have decided to quit smoking 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. Detoxifying the liver will reduce nicotine cravings. (ESP, 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 remove them 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 capsules of Evening Primrose Oils and 20 tablets of Sun Wellness Chlorella are a good regimen to remove nicotine toxicity from the body. (Page p. 548)
It is important during detoxification and your quit time that you “avoid junk food and sugar that aggravate bonds” (Page p.548) Ginseng can help normalize sugar cravings, as can stevia, stevioside or FOS. Trace element and mineral deficiencies can influence some addictions. Magnesium, potassium, calcium, and zinc should be included in the diet when trying to quit smoking. (ESP, 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 for the “cravings” category.
Eating a diet that promotes body alkalinity is said to show less craving for tobacco. To calm your nerves, try Magnesium 800mg a day, Stress B Complex 100mg a day, 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 when they quit smoking.
Many people also report that clove oil is extremely effective in their war against nicotine cravings. In Stanley Burrough’s book “Master Cleanser” he says: “For those who wish to quit smoking, put a small amount (of clove oil) on your finger; put it on the back of your tongue and you will immediately lose the desire to smoking – an easy way if you really want to quit. ” Peppermint oil has also been reported to be effective. A touch on the tongue will suffice, in the same way that you apply clove oil.
The only oils that can be helpful in quitting smoking besides cloves 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 over 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 STOP! 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 on “quit smoking”)
Committed Quitters, http://www.committedquitters.com
National Cancer Institute, http://www.smokefree.gov
Smoking Cessation Center, http://www.stopsmokingcenter.net
Stanley Burroughs The Master Cleanser, order at http://www.half.com or http://www.amazon.com
Bibliography:
1. Haas, Elson. Staying healthy with nutrition. Berkeley: Celestial Arts, 1992.
2. Essential Science Publishing (2004). Essential Oils Desktop Reference, 3rd Edition, Http://www.essentialscience.net
3. Quitting For Life American Lung Association Brochure, 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.
