Cigarettes cause nearly 400,000 American deaths each year.
Smoking cigarettes results in chronic lung and heart disease
and cancer of the lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth and bladder.
No one needs to tell a smoker
why s/he should quit. Every
day they are bombarded with
commercials on television, on
the radio and even on every
package of cigarettes. But with all of this media
emphasis on the hazards of smoking, it is difficult for a smoker to believe that s/he could be
one of those statistics at risk for heart and lung
diseases or worse, cancer.
 Since the release of the surgeon general’s
warning in 1964, the scientific knowledge and
public awareness about the health consequences
of tobacco use has greatly increased.
Today it is well known that not only do smokers suffer the consequences of the
tobacco habit but friends, family, children
and others also can be
affected from the
dangers of secondhand
smoke.
Cigarettes are the cause of nearly 400,000¹ American deaths each year. It is documented that
smoking cigarettes results in chronic lung and heart disease and cancer of the lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth and bladder.
Effects of Nicotine
Nicotine is a powerful drug that causes the
body to go into withdrawal as the levels of
nicotine are decreased from the blood stream.
Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include:
- Cigarette cravings
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Irritability, stress and anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sweating
- Restlessness and fatigue.
The primary reason for tobacco addiction and the body’s withdrawal response is nicotine,
the active ingredient in cigarette smoke. As
a drug, nicotine enhances alertness, constricts
the blood vessels and allows muscles
to relax. Once the body has become accustomed
to a steady supply of nicotine, the
nervous system becomes dependent,
resulting in physical symptoms of nicotine
withdrawal. Breaking the nicotine habit
means getting past this period of withdrawal
and beating the nicotine addiction
and addictive behavior cycle. The good
news is that once the decision is made to
stop smoking, there is a lot that can be done
to lessen the cravings and manage the withdrawal
symptoms.²
Conventional Treatments for Smoking
Cessation
Conventional drug products such as nicotine
patches and gum are designed to ease the
tobacco user’s cravings by substituting nicotine.
Patches and gum are provided in steps to
help consumers gradually decrease their level
of nicotine dependence until they are able to
stop completely. As shown below the conventional
products do provide several options for
consumers.
- Nicotine chewing gum—eases cravings by gradually reducing the amount of nicotine supplied to the body.
- Nicotine patches (absorbed through the skin)—like the gum, it gradually reduces the amount of nicotine supplied to the body
- Nicotine nasal spray—works in the same fashion as the patch
- Zyban—an antidepressant, helps the person handle the symptoms of withdrawal (available by prescription only)
A Fresh Approach
Homeopathy has been used to treat tobacco
cravings and addictive behavior for over 150
years without nicotine. Regulated by the FDA
as over-the-counter drugs, homeopathy provides
a number of nicotine-free choices to help
relieve tobacco cravings. Formulas can be
found as liquids, tablets and in medicated gum.
A good product will provide a full 90-day program.
Look for homeopathic gum formulated
with lobelia and caladium to provide longlasting
craving support and support with detoxifying
tablets to cleanse the body of nicotine.
Look for products that contain:
Homeopathic Lobelia inflata is a plant native to
North America and has been used to treat tobacco addiction and symptoms
which are made worse by tobacco
use or exposure.
Homeopathic Caladium sequinum is
a plant which in homeopathic practice
is known to decrease the craving for
tobacco and to be of benefit in the treatment
of symptoms due to tobacco use.
Homeopathic Nux vomica is used to treat
tobacco habits and many of the common complaints
of tobacco use including stress, overwork
and irritability, as well as general
addictive behavior.
Other homeopathic ingredients which help
treat tobacco use include Calcarea phosphorica,
Cinchona officinalis, Plantago major and
Daphne indica.
Homeopathic remedies are also used to treat
the nervousness and irritability which often
accompany nicotine withdrawal.
Homeopathic Ignatia amara is used to treat
nervousness, anxiety and frustration and can
help to restore healthy sleep patterns.
Homeopathic Avena Sativa acts on the nervous
system and has mild sedating and calming
effects. It is used to treat addictive habits,
tobacco use, nervousness and sleeplessness.
Homeopathic Passiflora incarnata is also a sedative
for the nervous system for sleeplessness
and insomnia and is indicated for addictive
behaviors.
Choosing to Quit
The first couple of weeks will be important in
order to be successful in beating the addiction.
When faced with an urge to smoke, remember
these urges generally last only a few minutes.
During this time, keep yourself busy by taking
a walk, finishing a chore, making a phone call
to a support person or snacking on a low
calorie treat. As time goes by, these urges will
become less intense and further in-between.
Use the supplements suggested above to further
help curb tobacco cravings and to help
minimize symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Weight gain experienced by some smokers
is usually temporary and most that experience
weight gain during the first three months of
quitting generally lose the weight shortly
thereafter. If you are
having difficulty
keeping the weight
off, here are several
tips to help you deal
with this emotional
factor:
- Drink plenty of water—instead of reaching for a cigarette or a piece of candy, reach for the water bottle. It refreshes the senses, creates a bloated feeling to help with food and tobacco cravings and acts like a diuretic to cleanse the body.
- Avoid processed foods such as lunch meats, boxed meals and individually wrapped cheese slices. Substitute with fruits and healthy food choices.
- Exercise—take a 30-minute walk. Any mild physical activity can help reduce the urge to smoke, reduce stress and burn calories.
- Avoid caffeine and other stimulants–common triggers to cigarette use.
- Smoking creates harmful free radicals. Include in your diet plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables; these supply vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants.
- Try chewing on raw sunflower seeds, carrots or peanuts as a substitute for the nervecalming effects of smoking a cigarette.
Footnotes
- 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Smoking—attributable mortality and years of potential life lost—United States,” (1990). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (1993). Vol. 42(33): pp. 645–8.
- 2. Janet Zand, L.Ac, OMD., Allan N. Spreen, M.D., C.N.C., James B. LaValle, RPH, N.D. (1999). Smart Medicine for Healthier Living. New York: Avery Publishing Group, Inc.
Mary Beth Watkins, B.S., M.S. is the
director of Research and Development and
Regulatory Compliance for Botanical
Laboratories, Inc., makers of NatraBio
Homeopathic Formulas. She is the past president
of the American Association of
Homeopathic Pharmacists and currently is
serving as vice president. She is also a member
of AHPA.
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