Alternative therapies for smoking cessation

There is never a bad time to stop smoking because your lungs will immediately begin to repair the damage the cigarette smoking has caused. Smoking cessation decreases the risk for lung cancer and other cancers, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular diseases, and chronic lung diseases.

 Natural approaches to smoking cessation adapted from an Eastern perspective can help to curb the cravings and assist in overcoming addiction.These include acupuncture, herbal therapy and hypnosis.

Acupuncture’s origin is embedded among traditional Chinese medicinal concepts,the acupuncture needles used are usually hair-thin, and they are inserted into various points in the ear where they remain for about 20 minutes. For help in between sessions, many acupuncturists provide tiny balls that are taped with invisible tape to the ear. When a craving for cigarettes hits, the smoker is instructed to press gently on the ball, which stimulates the acupuncture point.

Herbal support is designed to aid in tissue repair caused by dryness and degradation, as well as withdrawals that lead to emotional unrest, irritability, and nicotine cravings.

One of the most common herbal remedies used to control cravings is green tea. The tea keeps the system flooded with elements that are thought to prevent the urge to smoke.

The herb lobelia has been promoted to help people fight the effects of nicotine withdrawal and is found in many anti-smoking products. The active ingredient in lobelia, lobeline, is thought to have similar actions on the body as nicotine.Lobelia tea is often used in combination with green tea to assist during the detoxification period. Lobelia is a toxic herb, and should not be used unless under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner.

Ginseng has been shown to prevent the nicotine-induced release of the neurotransmitter dopamine.Ginseng is one of the most popular herbal remedies in the world today and is believed to restore and enhance normal well-being.A teaspoon of ginseng powder added to your breakfast cereal or morning health shake should help alleviate the number of cravings.

Licorice is also an antismoking aid.You can keep a stick of licorice root handy and suck on it in place of a cigarette. It works by helping to satisfy the oral cravings people who are addicted to cigarettes.

As one of the best dietary sources of dopamine, fava beans might help alleviate nicotine cravings. Scientists showed that within the brain the    area which plays an important role in emotions, is affected by dopamine. Dopamine is linked to the euphoria created by nicotine. Bupropion is an expensive drug, a dopamine-enhancer, which approval for quit smoking. Fava beans with similar activity might be cheaper, safer and more effective.

Valerian is one of the premier sedative herbs used to aid people with anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Valerian is clearly one of the herbs of choice in smoking cessation to deal with the issues of insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety.

 

St. John’s Wort is effective for addressing symptoms of anxiety, depression, nervousness, and insomnia. St. John’s Wort is uniquely formulated to help smokers “kick the habit.”  It helps quench the desire for tobacco, stimulates circulation and respiration, expels phlegm, calms the nerves, and relieves withdrawal symptoms.  
Researchers suspect that St. John’s Wort might help restore the balance of the neurotransmitter serotonin and dopamine during the time when smokers have their first craving of the day.  This would help them replace the morning coffee and cigarette with a hearty breakfast.

Hypnosis is another natural therapy for smoking cessation.Hypnotherapy works by putting you in a deep, relaxed state where your mind is more open to suggestion. At this point your hypnotherapist will look to change your thought patterns by making suggestions such as 'I do not want a cigarette' or 'I am repelled by the smell of cigarette smoke'. For many people, just one session is enough to quit smoking however some may benefit from a follow-up session.

Hypnosis, in general, does not work for everyone. About one in four people are not able to be hypnotized. When successful, the intensity of hypnosis can vary from person to person.

Avoiding cigarettes and cigarette smoke in the first place is the first line of defense, so if you can quit you may be saving your own life and the lives you love. In the meantime, give your body a fighting chance with some of nature's boosters.