smoking cessation counseling. After 12 weeks, 37.5 percent or nine out of 24 people had quit.
READ: Trying to Quit Smoking? Here’s Why you Should Avoid Vapes
5. Herbal Cigarettes
Herbal cigarettes can replace regular cigarettes and help break the addiction. Smokers become used to reaching for a cigarette in certain situations and at specific times during the day. Sometimes a cigarette is about familiarity or comfort more than nicotine. Herbal cigarettes contain fewer chemicals and carcinogens than regular cigarettes.
The main benefits of herbal cigarettes are that they are not addictive. These cigarettes contain zero nicotine. They are made with herbs such as mint, cinnamon, clover, cornsilk, licorice or lemongrass. They also have some carcinogens so they should only be used as a short-term aid to break the nicotine habit and not long-term.
6. Lobelia
This herb has been promoted to help people fight the effects of nicotine withdrawal and is found in many anti-smoking products. The active ingredient in lobelia, lobeline, is thought to have similar actions on the body as nicotine. Further research has shown that lobeline may increase levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain similar to cigarettes.
7. Hyssop
Has the ability to help with clearing mucus congestion in the lungs associated with COPD. It also has been known to alleviate the anxiety and even hysteria that is sometimes associated with smoking withdrawal.
8. Valerian
One of the premier sedative herbs used to aid people with anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Valerian also acts as a muscle relaxant. Valerian is clearly one of the herbs of choice in smoking cessation to deal with the issues of insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety.
READ THIS: Can Hypnotherapy Help You Stop Smoking?
Repairing the Damage
Once you have successfully broken free of the addiction, it is essential to repair the damage that has been caused by smoking. Regardless of what you may hear, the damage is reversible through proper diet, exercise, meditation, and adequate sleep. Never let this leave your mind, as we all have the power to overcome it.
Smoking destroys vitamin C in the body – an important antioxidant. As a result, it is important to increase your vitamin C intake to anywhere from 5000 – 20000 mg daily. This will help reduce some of the oxidative stress smoking has caused. Further to this, vitamins E and A are also essential for repairing the damage done to your cells and mucus membranes. Another important mineral to consider taking is coenzyme Q10. This is yet another powerful antioxidant that helps protects the lungs and heart while increasing oxygen to the brain.