Herbs to Help Stop Smoking
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Name not given
Posted on: November 26, 1998

Are there any herbs that can help a person stop smoking?

Lobelia is a deterrent. It is said to take up the same receptor sites as nicotine. It must not be used in pregnancy, weak pulse or nerves. Large doses induce vomiting, rapid heart beat, hypotension and coma. It is best to start with small doses (10 drops three times a day) to see what dosage the body tolerates. Maximum dosage is 40 drops three times a day. Note that these doses are for the tincture strength, made with 1 part herb to 8 parts alcohol. Other formulations, such as extracts made with one part herb to one part alcohol, will have much smaller dosages.

Chamomile tea is calming and can help to relieve anxious symptoms after stopping.

Red Clover tea helps to clear the toxic effects by elimination through the lymphatic glands.

In the Alternative Medicine Guide (Future Medicine Publishing Inc., 5009 Pacific Hwy. E., Suite 6, Fife, Washington, 98424, U.S.) describes the therapy suggested by John Sherman, N.D.:

1. Create an aversion to smoking by limiting smoking to one hour a day. Smoke constantly during that hour. Take 15 drops of Lobelia tincture one half hour before the smoking hour, then the same amount every 15 minutes during the smoking hour, ending 15 minutes before the last cigarette. This will produce nausea. The association of nausea with smoking can act to deter smoking within 5 to 6 days.

2. A bath with half a pound of Epsom salts will pull the tar & nicotine from the skin to prevent its introduction into the bloodstream. Shower or bathe afterwards to rinse them off. Dry with a white towel. The brownish residue of nicotine excreted by the skin reinforces the need to stop smoking.

3. A hypoglycemic diet to keep the blood sugar level constant and avoid food cravings: 6 meals a day of fresh fruit, vegetables, protein, whole grains and pasta, avoiding sugar and baked flour products.

These three therapies are to be used together.

James Duke in "The Green Pharmacy" (St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010) recommends chewing on a licorice root to help with oral cravings, and warns that excessive use or use longer than 6 weeks can produce headache, lethargy, sodium and water retention, excessive loss of potassium and high blood pressure. He also suggests raw carrots to satisfy oral cravings and as a source of Vitamin A which is a cancer preventative.

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