By Carolyn Dean, MD, ND
Break the chains of smoking addiction
Did you know that tobacco is cured with sugar, which stimulates a combination of sugar and tobacco cravings? Addictive chemicals are purposely put in tobacco making it very difficult to give up.
One solution is to transition to smoking natural tobacco that is free from chemicals, making it easier to quit. Natural Spirit is one brand that I recommend.
During the first month after quitting smoking there is often a worsening of “smoker’s cough.” This happens because the small hair cells that line the bronchial tubes start to regenerate after being paralyzed for years. The hair cells immediately begin to move and clear mucus, which often contains black tar held deep in the lungs. Although uncomfortable, coughing up this poisonous material is a good sign that things are improving.
Diet and Supplements:
Drink lots of pure alkaline water to help flush out toxins. The adult body is 70 percent water and if you have been smoking for years, much of your internal water is contaminated! Maintain a good diet; avoid red meat, sugar, coffee, alcohol, and refined foods †all of which are known to trigger a desire for a cigarette.
Take a good food-based organic multiple vitamin and mineral as well as zinc. Zinc will help reactivate your burnt-out taste buds so that you can enjoy food more fully.
Mind over Matter:
Don’t substitute one addiction for another. Most people who give up smoking begin eating sweets and rapidly gain weight. Find out the reason for your addiction and avoid being dependent on any substance. Learn about a “tapping” modality called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) to help eliminate the emotional reasons for smoking.
Homeopathy:
The following three homeopathic remedies are used to treat tobacco cravings:
* Caladium 12X potency one dose three to six times a day.
* Nicotine 12X potency one dose three to six times a day.
* Tabac 12X potency one dose three to six times a day.
You can use one at a time and switch to the next when the first stops working.
* Calc. phos 12X potency can be used for residual bronchitis that may remain after giving up cigarettes.
Herbs:
* Lobelia is called Indian tobacco and in small doses can treat tobacco withdrawal. But in large doses it’s a purgative–yup, that means vomiting till there’s nothing left. So be careful with this one.
* Avena sativa, also called wild oats, can also help with tobacco withdrawal. The tincture form is used for both herbs at a dose of 5 to 10 drops in 4 ounces of water three times a day
* Fenugreek seed tea, 1 teaspoon per cup of boiling water steeped for seven minutes, can help loosen the mucus that accompanies cigarette withdrawal and can also lessen coughing episodes. Drink several cups a day.
Acupuncture:
Ear acupuncture can help curb the craving for nicotine. There are several points in the ear that can be used to balance the body by easing irritability and clearing the lungs of the buildup of waste material. A doctor trained in ear acupuncture can administer these treatments.
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