Herbs that Can Help You Quit Smoking

For many smokers, quitting smoking is the most difficult personal trial they will ever face. Not only do they have to quit smoking physically, but they have to replace their emotional attachment to nicotine and the smoking habit with something as fulfilling and healthier than lighting up. It's an extremely stressful time, and a fearful one, when failure is a big part of trying.

When people first attempt to quit smoking, they are filled with such agitation and stress from withdrawal that all they want to do is light up. There are the physical symptoms of quitting they have to battle, such as restlessness, headaches, nausea, and that extreme hunger craving for a smoke that completely drives a smoker trying to quit batty. But even worse than the physical symptoms are the emotional ones. That nervousness about how to fill their time when they normally smoke, like with their coffee, at their 3 pm break, after meals, before bed and especially that beloved morning smoke when they first wake up.

That stress of how to deal with a loss (because even if one wants to quit smoking there is still an emotional loss and attachment they need to deal with) is oftentimes unbearable. This is where herbal remedies come in, to help calm the body from the physical and especially emotional stresses from losing a beloved (albeit unhealthy) habit and help people quitting smoking for good.

St. John's Wort is a natural calming remedy for many people every day. For people quitting smoking, it can help relieve those anxious, "I need a smoke!" moments that make them want to light up. It can be used during the day as it won't make someone drowsy.

For helping aid in getting restful sleep when quitting smoking (and to help ease that night-time craving) catnip and Blue Vervain are excellent herbs. Catnip calms down the digestive system that is all out of whack from the daily stress of dealing with the need for a cigarette. and Blue Vervain is a natural tranquilizer often used for insomnia. Catnip also aids in calming the body and leading it to sleep. These are best taken at night to avoid drowsiness during the day.

To curb the frantic panic of quitting smoking, turn to Lobelia. Not only will this herb calm the mind and body at once, it also has an effective pull on the nicotine craving receptors in the brain, calming your cravings down. Lobelia even has been reputed to make cigarettes taste bad to smokers, keeping them on track easier!

There are also herbs that work to repair the damage caused to the body from smoking, such as lung tissue damage and chronic coughing. Catnip comes into play again, as it is great in calming down those little tickly nerves in the throat that go nutty when they wake up from being deadened by smoke, causing that annoying coughing and hacking. Hyssop helps clear the mucous in the lungs for healthier lungs and breathing, and also aids in the hysteria nervousness in quitting smoking.

When quitting smoking, go to your local health food stores to see what herbs they have that will help reduce your cravings and treat your withdrawal symptoms. Even if you don't quit on the first try (or the second, or the third) know that there ARE herbs out there to help you with the very difficult task of quitting smoking and help you get your life back.