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 very destructive habit. Quitting smoking is possible if you make a plan, cleanse and support the 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 do so at some point. Even heroin addicts admit that nicotine is actually the hardest drug addiction to break. (Haas, p.964)

Nearly one third of pancreatic carcinoma cases can be attributed to smoking. Most lung cancers are caused by cigarette smoking. (Smokers are five to 10 times more likely to get lung cancer than non-smokers.) The more cigarettes you smoke a day and the earlier you start smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer.

Children of smokers are at increased risk of 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 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 daily vitamin supplement, you can feel that you are healthy overall. However, if you smoke, this is usually not the case. Heavy smokers do not benefit as much from a healthy diet. Vitamin C blood levels 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 look at how to quit smoking—and without drugs! It may surprise you to learn that there is a way to break free of this horrible addiction without using prescription drugs to help you.

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 again? You may feel that because you tried and failed, it proves you can’t quit. However, this is not the case. You actually get points every time you try to quit. You inevitably learned something each time you tried, which brings you that much closer to quitting success. Most dropouts didn’t make it on their first try. So think of it as your “practice” run! (3)

A main part of your plan to quit smoking is figuring out what interventions you will use when you have the 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.

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 of these addictions. Detoxifying the liver will reduce the craving for nicotine. (ENG, p. 279)

You can use echinacea to help clear nicotine from the lymphatic system and lungs. Vitamin C is a great chelator of toxic substances in the body. (Which means it will “grab” offenders and eject them through the waste system.) A usual dose of C is 1000 mg four times a day. N-Acetyl-Cysteine ​​1000mg, two doses of Glutamine 1000mg, four Evening Primrose Oils capsules and 20 Sun Wellness Chlorella tablets are a good regimen to eliminate nicotine toxicity from the body. (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 you normalize sugar cravings, just like stevia, stevioside, or FOS. Trace element and mineral deficiencies can play a role in some addictions. Magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc should be included in the diet when trying to quit smoking. (ENG, p. 279)

The main concern when quitting tobacco is the 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 body alkalinity is said to show less desire for tobacco. To calm your 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” which some people have reported was all they needed during their time off.

Many people also report that clove oil is extremely effective in their war against nicotine cravings. In Stanley Burrough’s book “Master Cleanser” he states: “For those wishing 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 smoking.” Peppermint oil has also been reported to be effective. Just a dab on the tongue, the same way you apply clove oil, will do it.

Individual oils that may be helpful in quitting smoking, besides clove and peppermint, are cinnamon and nutmeg. Other recommended oil blends to reduce addictive behavior are Harmony, Thieves, Exodus II, Peace and Calming, JuvaCleanse, and JuvaFlex. These can be inhaled or diffused directly, applied topically to the temples and/or 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 ordered 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. Staying 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 Quiting For Life brochure, 2003

4. Linda Page, Ph. D. Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone, 12th Edition. Healthy Healing, Inc., 2004

5. Retrieved March 4, 2005 from http://www.getoutraged.com/facts_top_pg2.html