Teas to Help You Stop Smoking
The American Lung Association states that smoking is a hard habit to break. Tobacco’s main ingredient, nicotine, can be as addictive as heroin. At this point in time, there is no magic pill to help people stop smoking, though some products can help ease withdrawal symptoms. The U.S. government tells us that smoking is the cause of one in five deaths. Based on the health risks, plus the price of cigarettes, many people are looking at the alternatives available to help kick the habit. Your solution may be as simple as sipping tea several times a day.
Mimosa Tea
Mimosa, a perennial evergreen shrub from southern Mexico or Brazil, can be used as a tea and offers a calm and relaxing sense of peace to those who sip it. Because a smoker often experiences anxiety, depression, and headaches when he quits, a strong cup of mimosa tea can offer temporary relief.
Skullcap & Chamomile
Natural Nicotine Substitutes
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Skullcap and chamomile teas are well known for reducing anxiety and nervous tension. These two teas not only help calm nerves, but, according to Penelope Sach, author of Healing and Cleansing With Herbal Tea, these two teas can help reduce cravings.
Lobelia (Indian Tobacco)
Lobelia, known as Indian tobacco, is a controversial herb. Brigitte Mars, author of Addiction-Free—Naturally, writes that lobelia can act as an expectorant that helps clean the lungs. It also can be a soothing relaxant and ease muscle tension. It is suggested that the herb lobelia can generate similar effects in the brain as nicotine, but is not addictive. Lobelia is to be used carefully, because overuse can cause vomiting, sleepiness and a weak pulse.
- Lobelia, known as Indian tobacco, is a controversial herb.
- It is suggested that the herb lobelia can generate similar effects in the brain as nicotine, but is not addictive.
Jasmine & Green Tea
Dangers of Smoking While Wearing a Nicotine Patch
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These two teas are believed to calm nerves and help you relax. More importantly, they can act as antioxidants, which help fight against increased levels of free radicals that smoking creates. These teas are also considered detoxification teas that can help remove many of the toxins that contribute to your cravings for tobacco.
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References
- Herbal Remedies World
- Addiction-Free—Naturally; Brigitte Mars; 2001
- Healing and Cleansing with Herbal Tea by Penelope Sach; 2004
- Shah SGS. A Commentary on "Ensuring safe surgical care across resource settings via surgical outcomes data & quality improvement initiatives" (Int J Surg 2019 Aug 5. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.ijsu.2019.07.036). Int J Surg. 2019;72:14-15. doi:10.1177/1087054713497791
- Carson KV, Brinn MP, Robertson TA, et al. Current and emerging pharmacotherapeutic options for smoking cessation. Subst Abuse. 2013;7:85-105. doi:10.4137%2FSART.S8108
- Sajja RK, Rahman S. Lobeline and cytisine reduce voluntary ethanol drinking behavior in male C57BL/6J mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2011;35(1):257-64.doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2010.11.020
- Stead LF, Hughes JR. Lobeline for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(2):CD000124. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000124.pub2
- Roni MA, Rahman S. Antidepressant-like effects of lobeline in mice: behavioral, neurochemical, and neuroendocrine evidence. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2013;41:44-51. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.11.011
- Shah SGS. A Commentary on "Ensuring safe surgical care across resource settings via surgical outcomes data & quality improvement initiatives" (Int J Surg 2019 Aug 5. 10.1016/j.ijsu.2019.07.036). Int J Surg. 2019;72:14-15. doi:10.1177/1087054713497791
- Penn State Hershey Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Lobelia. Last updated January 2, 2015.
- Farook JM1, Lewis B, Gaddis JG, Littleton JM, Barron S. Lobeline, a Nicotinic Partial Agonist Attenuates Alcohol Consumption and Preference in Male C57BL/6J Mice. Physiology & Behavior. 2009 Jun 22;97(3-4):503-6. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.02.031
- Felpin, F, Lebreton, J. History, Chemistry and Biology of Alkaloids from Lobelia Inflata." ChemInform. 204 October; 60(45). doi:10.1016/j.tet.2004.08.010
- McChargue DE1, Collins FL Jr, Cohen LM. Effect of Non-Nicotinic Moist Snuff Replacement and Lobeline on Withdrawal Symptoms During 48-h Smokeless Tobacco Deprivation. Nicotine & Tobacco Research. 2002 May;4(2):195-200. doi:10.1080/146222002101244
- Stead LF1, Hughes JR. Lobeline for Smoking Cessation. Cochrane Database System Review. 2012 Feb 15;2: CD000124. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000124
Writer Bio
Tyler Woods is a holistic mental-health practitioner and has had a private practice for over 13 years. She holds a master's degree in psychology as well as a Ph.D. from the Creative Health Institute. She enjoys working with holistic mental health. Woods is the author of "The Natural Health and Wellness System" and writes for "The Tucson Citizen" and various other newspapers and magazines.