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Herbs to help stop tobacco smoking

Smoking is an unhealthy behavior that can become an addiction. Smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association (Source: AHA).
What are the risk factors for smoking?
Although there does not appear to be a specific trigger that causes a person to start smoking or chewing tobacco, there are several risk factors associated with smoking. Risk factors include: Behavioral problems such as aggression, Family member who smokes, Lack of education past high school, Low self-esteem, Poor financial or social status, Poor school or academic performance.
Diseases linked to smoking tobacco cigarettes include:
lung cancer and other cancers, Stroke, Respiratory ailments such as the common cold and bronchitis, Peripheral vascular disease, Birth defects of pregnant smokers' offspring, Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans), Impotence, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema and chronic bronchitis in particular. More likely to develop cataracts that may cause blindness, Reduced memory and cognitive abilities.
What should I do first to stop smoking?
Pick a date to stop smoking and then stick to it.
Write down your reasons for quitting smoking. Read over the list every day, before and after you quit. Here are some tips to think about.
Write down when you smoke, why you smoke, and what you are doing when you smoke. You will learn what triggers you to smoke.
Stop smoking cigarettes in certain situations (such as during your work break or after dinner) before actually quitting.
Make a list of activities you can do instead of smoking. Be ready to do something else when you want to smoke.
Ask your doctor about using nicotine gum or patches. Some people find these aids helpful.
Join a smoking cessation support group or program. Call your local chapter of the American Lung Association.
How can I avoid smoking again?
Don't carry a lighter, matches, or cigarettes. Keep all of these smoking reminders out of sight. If you live with a smoker, ask that person not to smoke in your presence, or better yet, to quit with you. Don't focus on what you are missing. Think about the healthier way of life you are gaining. When you get the urge to smoke, take a deep breath. Hold it for 10 seconds and release it slowly. Repeat this several times until the urge to smoke is gone. Keep your hands busy. Doodle, play with a pencil or straw, or work on a computer. Change activities that were connected to smoking cigarettes. Take a walk or read a book instead of taking a cigarette break. When you can, avoid places, people, and situations associated with smoking. Hang out with nonsmokers or go to places that don't allow smoking, such as the movies, museums, shops, or libraries. Don't substitute food or sugar-based products for cigarette smoking. Eat low-calorie, healthful foods (such as carrot or celery sticks, sugar-free hard candies) or chew gum when the urge to smoke strikes so you can avoid weight gain. Drink plenty of fluids, but limit alcoholic and caffeinated beverages. They can trigger urges to smoke. Exercise. Exercising will help you relax. Get support for quitting. Tell others about your milestones with pride. Work with your doctor to develop a plan using over-the-counter or prescription nicotine-replacement aids.
Herbs for Stopping Smoking
Smoking is a nasty and addictive habit. It causes many different kinds of cancers and increases the heart rate and blood pressure. Smoking can also cause heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. Some people who smoke may have to have their limbs amputated because smoking slows blood flow, cutting off the oxygen supply to the feet and hands. There are many different ways to stop smoking, including using herbs.
Herbal Cigarettes
Smoking herbs to help curtail tobacco smoking appears counter-intuitive, however, there is logic behind the idea. In addition to nicotine, mass produced cigarettes have other chemicals from growing the tobacco or manufacturing the cigarettes. Another important aspect is that smokers also act out the ritual of lighting a cigarette for the sensory pleasure. Cutting out this stimuli can sabotage efforts to quit smoking.
Herbal cigarettes can be purchased pre-rolled at most tobacco shops or hand rolled. Although herbal cigarettes do not contain nicotine, they do contain tar, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Herbal cigarettes should only be used as a transition aid while going through nicotine withdrawal.
Herbs have healing properties and if used for a short time can help ease the transition to becoming a non-smoker. Mullein is a good example of a useful herb to aid during tobacco withdrawal and it is soothing to inflamed lung tissue, functioning as an expectorant to move congestion. The plant has a light taste that can be used alone or in combination with other herbs as part of the transition.
Horehound and Coltsfoot are both strong expectorants. Use small amounts of these herbs as they will clear the lungs and cause the user to cough. Another herb that has been effective is Jimson weed seeds. However, it should only be used with extreme care as it can cause a hallucinogenic affect.
Other Remedies
Many other herbs can help ease the dependence on tobacco and can be taken as teas, tinctures or pills. Oat Straw is a nerve tonic that stimulates the central nervous system gently. Valerian is a sedative often used to induce sound sleep. It reduces anxiety which helps with withdrawal symptoms. St. John's Wort is also a nervous system tonic. It is typically known for its anti-depressant properties. The herb contains hypericin, a mood enhancer.
Argemone Mexicana
This is a yellow flowering poppy from Mexico. Drinking tea from the dried leaves of the plant boosts and relaxes the human brain. It evokes euphoric and aphrodisiac senses and puts the mind into a virtual state of bliss. Chain smokers have benefited from the effects of this plant.
The chemical components of Argemone Mexicana include propopine, berberine and several isoquinilines. These elements in the plants help to mildly depress the central nervous system.
Lobellia
Lobellia is an herb native to North America. It is a well-accepted substitute for smoking. It is also known as Indian tobacco or pukeweed. Lobellia contains a substance called lobeline that is identical to the nicotine in cigarettes. It relaxes the body and has the calming effect of nicotine. Lobellia should be taken under the supervision of a doctor.
Peppermint
Peppermint helps in the withdrawal symptoms of smoking. It essentially produces a cooling sensation in the body and relaxes the muscles of the digestive system. It also acts as a mild anesthetic to the walls of the stomach and helps to combat nausea and dizziness. It relaxes the body and helps ease muscle tension. Peppermint contains elements that help combat acid indigestion arising from not smoking.
St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort is widely known as an herbal treatment for depression. When used by smokers who are in the process of quitting the addiction, it gives the mental strength and positivity to overcome the addiction.
According to a pilot study led by Martin C. Mahoney, of the Division of Cancer Prevention & Population Sciences at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, "St. John's Wort, a herbal agent, appears to be an effective adjunctive therapy for tobacco cessation."
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is an herb that helps fight the side effects of quitting cigarettes. It relieves the smoker from nervousness, depression and anxiety that usually occurs when you try to stop smoking.
Korean Ginseng
Korean ginseng helps the body deal with the stress of quitting smoking. Addiction makes the body weak and the smoker prone to irritability. It helps the body to deal with the absence of nicotine and readjust accordingly.
Skullcap and Licorice Root
Skullcap contains plant compounds that cause the brain to produce endorphins.
Endorphins stimulate a feeling of well-being and relaxation. Skullcap helps the nervous system adjust to the stress of not smoking.
Licorice root helps reduce craving and is found in stick form. When chewed, the stick compensates for urge of smoking.
Cinnamon Bark
Chinese stop-smoking herbal formulas often include cinnamon bark. The twig of cinnamon bark is widely used in herbal cigarettes and as one of the ingredients in herbal aroma inhalers, another stop smoking aide. Cinnamon bark is safe. It can be used in food and is found in grocery stores.
Herbal Formula
To halt the craving for a cigarette, mix together 15 ml green oats, 10 ml white horehound, 10 ml mullein, 5 ml goldenseal, and 10 ml peppermint. Put six drops of this herbal formula under the tongue when craving a cigarette. 

References : American Heart Association, Tia Shamoon, Marissa Wilson, Debbie Mcrill and Others Journals.

The writer is assistant journal
editor at  The Independent (Health and Medicine Journal "Stethoscope") and can be reached at miahfaiz@dhaka.net