Stopping Smoking with Herbal Help

This month (March 2011) we are have a special offer of 20% off any heal products to hep stopping smoking. We have a useful leaflet on stopping smoking that offers some guidance but here are some simple herbal helpers :-

Herbal Help
There are many ways in which taking herbs can help when trying to give up smoking. While some of these have scientific background, others have a historical background or come from customer recommendations.

Cravings

Black pepper essential oil is used to reduce the craving for a cigarette. Bottles of essential oil are very small, so that you are able to carry it around with you and smell it whenever you want, or, put a couple of drops on a handkerchief. It is concentrated, so do not put it straight on your skin It may however be put into a cream and rub it into your hands when you feel a craving. This gives your hands something to do during the craving.
Herbs which are often recommended to help with cravings include:

Plantain taken as a tea;

Chewing a nugget of Dandelion Root;

Chewing Liquorice Root;

Oats taken in any form (as a herbal remedy or as a food).

Lobelia contains a chemical similar to nicotine (called lobeline), it is also good for the lungs. It cannot be bought over the counter, but Potters Vegetable Cough Remover contains lobelia, or a consultation with a herbalist may enable you to get a prescription to help give up.

If all else fails, try chewing Calamus Root or Chamomile Flowers (and then spitting the chamomile out), apparently cigarettes taste disgusting afterwards!

Relieve tension

The effects of caffeine are altered with nicotine, therefore it is advisable to reduce coffee and tea intake while trying to give up smoking.Why not swap your tea or coffee for a herbal tea. There are many herbal teas which may be used to relieve the tensions that build up during stressful times. St John’s Wort, Skullcap, Vervain (Verbena officinalis) and Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)  all have a reputation for relieving stress. St John’s Wort (Hypericum perfoliatum) is recommended by many people specifically for giving up smoking .
Essential oils may be used to help relieve tension, burn them in an essential oil burner, put a couple of drops in the bath or place a couple of drops on a handkerchief and carry it around with you. Essential oils of Lavender and Chamomile are relaxing, whereas the citrus oils (such as Orange and Grapefruit) are uplifting.

Rescue Remedy is used for stressful situations. Helpful to take (in drops or as a spray) when you really feel like a cigarette (or screaming at someone).

These can all help support your own willpower when stopping smoking. See our stopping smoking leaflet for more info.