Effective Natural Remedies To Stop Smoking

Everyone who smokes wants to find a remedy to help them stop, but it can be extremely difficult to find something that works well.

There are many remedies out there designed to help you stop smoking, but few actually address both the physical and the psychological triggers that make smoking a very addictive habit.

When my clients who smoke express a desire to quit, I know they have a long, hard road ahead of them. Most smokers want me to give them a remedy, like a pill or something, that will just take away their urge to smoke. While there are products like nicotine gum or patches available over-the-counter to help with the cravings, they can’t completely take away the habit itself.

In addition to getting plenty of exercise, drinking lots of water and using your family or friends for a little social support, there are a few natural approaches to quitting smoking that are safe and effective. Since smoking is partly a chemical addiction and a psychological habit, it is important to develop new behaviors and associations so that you actually replace one habit with another. Sneaky, huh?

I advise my clients not to be concerned about quitting cold turkey. That never works, because the addictive nature of cigarettes is much more powerful than the will of us mere mortals. However, where will-power fails, mindfulness can succeed. A gentle, gradual approach to quitting is usually more effective than swearing them off tomorrow.

Before you even begin to quit, you must be present with your habit, by smoking mindfully. Yes, I said it. Smoke. Ask yourself why you want to smoke. What are you looking forward to? Then go ahead and smoke as if it is the only thing that exists. Feel the cigarette between your fingers; enjoy the action of inhaling and exhaling. Notice the smell, the look of the smoke, is truly present with this cigarette, and nothing else. Then notice how you feel after.

After a day or two of mindful smoking, you may be surprised to notice certain things about your habit that you are ready to let go of or change. One of my clients who smoked for 20 years noticed how much time she wasted anticipating smoking and covering it up, and decided that she would rather spend that time dealing with things rather than avoiding them.

Once you are more conscious of the reasons you continue to smoke, a few natural remedies can help to clear the physical cravings and emotional issues that make you want to smoke. However, don’t be too anxious to put a “quit date” out there until you have more control of your habit. Having a looming deadline can increase stress and cause resistance, so be flexible with your time frame for quitting.

Flower Essences

These safe, homeopathic remedies are perfect for dealing with the emotional issues that can be a root cause of smoking addictions. Mix 4 drops of any combination of these flower essence remedies in a small glass of water and drink anytime you have the urge to smoke.

* Agrimony – releases the need to hide true feelings via drugs
* Aspen – reduces fear and anxiety that lead to smoking
* Chestnut Bud – to break habits and promote healthy new patterns
* Nicotiana – alleviates addiction to tobacco
* Sagebrush – useful for withdrawal symptoms
* Self-heal – restores confidence to overcome addiction