Stop Smoking the Green Way

Six Commonly Used Herbs that Can Ease the Pain of Quitting
In today’s high-velocity environment, more and more people are turning to more natural, holistic approaches for practically all things organic. That even includes natural remedies for quitting smoking. Luckily, there are plenty of them out there and they have been used for decades for various purposes, with plenty of success. Using these herbs to target and treat certain withdrawal symptoms may just be the extra step you need to complete your mission of putting down those cigarettes for good.

Lobelia
Lobelia is a powerful herb that works on the brain’s chemical system. The herbal extract, lobeline, acts similarly to nicotine in the brain and has been used to replace nicotine to aid in smoking cessation. Lobelia, commonly called Indian tobacco due to its early roots as a respiratory cure used by Native Americans, has been used for many purposes. It has a calming effect on the mind and body and helps reduce cravings for nicotine.

St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort has been used for several years to help battle depression. Its ability to affect a person’s mental attitude and state of mind is the primary factor in using this herb for quitting smoking. One thing that can be lost along your path to a smoke-free life is your positive mental attitude. This herb will help keep that in check.

Ginseng
Ginseng seems to be everywhere these days. And there’s a really great reason for that. Ginseng is instrumental in helping the body deal with stresses that you will run into on a daily basis. You already have your everyday stresses to take in, but once you begin your non-smoking journey, you will need every bit of help you can get to keep your stress levels down.

Peppermint
We encounter peppermint in many places, as well. Peppermint is wonderful for the digestive system and helps with the flow of bile in the digestive tract. It helps keep nausea at bay and can help alleviate headaches if they are related to the digestive system. Peppermint is also used in aromatherapy to release anxiety and tension, both very common when going through a nicotine detox.

Oat Straw
Oat straw has been used for nervousness, stress and overall physical and mental exhaustion. It has also been used to combat depression. Usually administered in tea, oat straw has a pain-relieving and soothing affect. Oat straw has been shown to reduce the craving for nicotine, as well.

Scullcap
Scullcap is another mint plant. It has traditionally been used as a sedative for anxiety and insomnia. It has also been used for pain. Its natural releasing of endorphins creates a calmness which helps the nervous system relax.

Valerian
Valerian is a sedative and a muscle relaxant that dates back to ancient Greece. This powerful herb helps the body handle stress, anxiety, tension and insomnia. It is a top contender when choosing herbs to help with the symptoms of smoking cessation.

One Step at a Time
The simple truth is quitting is one of the hardest things you will ever do. But the rewards are abundant. These are only a few of the many herbs that are used to help people quit. There are many more. Most cessation programs on the market that use herbs use combinations of these and others, so you should investigate thoroughly to find the right combination for you.