It's decided, this year, you want to say goodbye to cigarettes. But quitting smoking takes a good deal of willpower and often treatment to cope with withdrawal symptoms. Here are some natural and gentle ways to help you win the game against tobacco.
Sales of cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco fell 10% over the first nine months of 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, according to the French Observatory for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT). In addition, the sale of treatments to stop smoking is up 22%. There are natural alternatives to nicotine substitutes which have the advantage of " not containing synthetic products, of not causing side effects and which offer a gentle treatment" , says Claudine Luu, doctor of pharmacy, doctor of science Naturals, lecturer specializing in medicinal plants and co-author of the book The best natural methods to stop smoking , published by Terre Vivante.
Above all, quitting smoking requires a good dose of willpower and motivation . Support to fight against addiction is also always interesting. For this, you can consult a herbalist, a naturopath, a hypnotherapist ...
Manage withdrawal symptoms
The herbal uses of medicinal plants. Its extracts are more concentrated in active ingredients than herbal teas. Phytotherapy comes in various ways: in ampoules, in drops to dilute in a little water, in capsules prepared on demand by the pharmacist, or even in the form of food supplements. Herbal medicine helps to manage the repercussions of withdrawal: nervousness, insomnia, addiction, strong appetite… " Kudzu, for example, is an ally against addiction. Gymnema eliminates the feeling of sweetness in cigarettes, valerian provides disgust. tobacco. To drain the body's tissues and cleanse the liver, rosemary is very good. Eucalyptus and plantain improve the respiratory system " , explains Claudine Luu.
Gemmotherapy is also interesting.
The buds of hazel, alder, brambles, among others, restore damaged tissues of the lungs and restore their suppleness.
As for aromatherapy, it is also effective but the specialist calls for caution: either we know or we get help. The essential oil of red myrtle is, for example, a muscle relaxant. It improves breathing and helps fight against the urge to smoke. Diffusion of essential oil of niaouli, or tea tree is a good idea to breathe better.
Safe solutions without any side effects
The Bach flowers , such as elixirs crystals and homeopathy, have the advantage of being safe and does not present any side effects. Their action relates mainly to the psyche. They complete the work on addiction, the irrepressible urge to smoke . You will choose the flower (s) that match your temperament and your reaction to withdrawal.
Homeopathy is also an interesting solution " provided that it is the subject of a sustained treatment over a month or two. It is not enough to take 3 granules a day", comments the doctor of pharmacy. You can thus take as a basic treatment of tabacum in 5 CH or, better, prepare yourself a remedy from your cigarette for a more specific treatment, what is called an isopathic. Depending on your symptoms, you can supplement with 2 granules at bedtime of nux vomica 9CH if you have trouble falling asleep, 2 granules twice a day of capsicum annuum 9CH if you are nostalgic for the pleasure of smoking ...
As for crystal elixirs , they are very effective but little known. Prepared by putting crystals in contact with spring water, silica and alcohol, they act both on the emotional sphere and on the diseased organ. You can, for example, use amethyst, or zeolite to fight against addictions and kunzite against stress.
Nutritherapy and acupuncture
Other natural and gentle methods can also help to quit smoking. Food therefore plays an important role. It must of course be balanced, varied and as healthy as possible. Claudine Luu recommends, among other things, consuming foods rich in omega 3 and omega 6 to balance the body. In addition, to cleanse the liver, you can opt for artichokes.
Nutritherapy consists of taking food supplements to neutralize the emission of free radicals produced by smoking.
You can also use relaxation, breathing exercises, and massage to relax you.
Acupuncture acts on the physical and the psychological. It modifies behavior, usual gestures, fights stress …
Medical hypnosis for its part helps reduce the urge to smoke, reinforce one's motivation and concentration to quit smoking. According to the expert, these two techniques are not sufficient in themselves and must be combined with other natural methods.
Finally, also as a complement, behavioral and cognitive therapies (CBT) can provide invaluable help to change habits . "The little that you stop smoking is already a gain for your health. If you start smoking again, it doesn't mean the method was wrong. This is probably because the will was not strong enough yet. You need to experiment with several methods to find the one that works best for you. The trick is to get there , ” encourages the expert who recommends combining natural methods with each other to put the odds on her side.
Source(s):
- Interview with Claudine Luu, doctor in pharmacy and natural sciences
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