Herbs That can be Used to Help Someone Stop Smoking

Quitting smoking can be a daunting and overwhelming task, so many people are looking for natural remedies to help give up cigarettes. Such remedies are sometimes more effective and more inexpensive than traditional quit-smoking remedies.

Curbing the Cravings

• Many people don't realize it, but one of the main ingredients in quit-smoking patches and medications is lobelia. This relatively inexpensive herb can be purchased online in supplement or capsule form for less than $5 per bottle. It can sometimes be difficult to find in stores. Lobelia is a natural herb that has been used for centuries by Native Americans and healers to help clear out the lungs. It can also be an extremely dangerous and difficult to find and is best used under the supervision of an experienced herbologist.

  Take one lobelia capsule twice a day even before tapering down begins. The smoker's daily cigarette consumption is likely to fall. Other herbs can be incorporated to help with some of the other symptoms associated with quitting smoking.

Helping with Anxiety and Stress

• Someone who is quitting will begin experiencing symptoms within just a few hours after his or her last cigarette. This can make the smoker feel irritable, cranky and on edge. Smokers often deal with feeling more stressed and may even become depressed when quitting smoking, so taking natural supplements can be helpful.

  St. John's Wort has been used by many people to help with down feelings. Depending on dose instructions, it can be taken twice a day (morning and night or when lobelia is being taken). Passionflower and valerian root will help calm the nerves. Caution should be taken when taking valerian root, as it can make an individual feel sleepy and should be taken at night. People who quit smoking often complain of sleep difficulties, so this herb can naturally aid the individual in getting a good night's sleep.

Replacing Vitamin C and Other Minerals

• Smokers often do not get enough vitamin C. In fact, smoking naturally blocks vitamin C intake, so taking a healthy dose of vitamin C on a daily basis, as well as eating vitamin C-rich foods, will help replace something the smoker has lost. Other helpful herbs are grape-seed extract and a good multivitamin. Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water and milk, to clear out the system and begin a slow exercise routine to try to get back into shape.