Smoking is one of the leading causes of death as a result of the many health issues it increases the risk of. Thankfully, just because you’ve smoked in the past doesn’t mean it’s too late to kick the habit. In fact, your lungs will start to heal and repair any damage caused by smoking almost as soon as you quit. The hardest part of quitting any smoking or tobacco habit is kicking the nicotine addiction.

Unfortunately, many people believe that a nicotine addiction is one of the hardest to overcome. But there are a number of natural ways you can combat your nicotine addiction and quit smoking. Here are a few examples of the things you could try to tackle your nicotine addiction.  

Home Remedies for Nicotine Addiction

1. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is commonly used by people trying to kick their nicotine addiction. The therapy involves inserting hair-thin needles into various pressure point around the body for a period of about twenty minutes. Research suggests that stimulating a specific pressure point behind the ear is particularly effective in combating a nicotine addiction and helping you to quit smoking.  

If you have experience with acupuncture, then you can use this remedy from home. However, if you have no experience with acupuncture, then it’s best that you see a professional for your treatment.

 

2. St. John’s Wort

St. John’s wort is an herb which is regularly recommended to help ease the symptoms of depression. Recent studies have suggested that it could also be helpful as a home remedy for nicotine addictions. The scientific evidence for its effectiveness is mixed, but it could be worth using the herb to make an infused tea every few days and seeing if it helps you.

Whilst it may not be totally effective in kicking your nicotine habit, it will help you manage the depression that may occur as part of your withdrawal. It can interfere with other medications, however, so always consult your doctor before using it if you take any regular medication. You should also avoid it if you’re pregnant as it is thought to have potentially negative impacts on pregnancy. You can find out more about the health benefits of St. John’s Wort in our previous article.

 

3. Ginseng

Ginseng inhibits the nicotine-induced release of dopamine. This is a neurotransmitter that creates a positive feeling or buzz and is part of the reason nicotine is so addictive. By inhibiting and preventing the release of dopamine, ginseng helps to reduce your craving for nicotine and makes it easier to quit.

 

4. Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is considered by many to be slightly more effective than behavioral relapse prevention intervention therapies. Studies have shown that hypnotherapy has a 29% success rate one year after quitting, compared to 28% of counseling therapies.  

5. Oats

Oats are great for your heart health which is crucial if you’ve been a smoker. The high concentration of fatty acids like omega-3 can help to repair much of the damage smoking may have done to your heart over time. As a result, it can combat the higher risk of heart disease that smoking can bring. Oats will also help you quit smoking and work as a home remedy for nicotine addiction. This is because they contain a specific extract which helps to ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce your nicotine cravings.

 

6. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a great home remedy for nicotine addiction. It desensitizes your respiratory system to tobacco, which helps to prevent your cravings. If your cravings are minimized it should be much easier to kick the habit and quit smoking for good. Try adding a little cayenne to some of your meals to feel its effects.

7. Herbal Cigarettes

Many people turn to herbal cigarettes when they’re trying to quit smoking. This works especially well for people who find they miss the familiarity of smoking more than the nicotine itself. The positive is that herbal cigarettes contain absolutely no nicotine and so they’re not addictive. Instead, they are made with natural herbs such as licorice, lemongrass, and cinnamon. They do, however, contain some carcinogens so they don’t’ make a great long-term quitting aide. That said they can help when used with other home remedies if you’re struggling with missing the routine of smoking.

 

8. Lobelia

Lobelia has been recommended as a home remedy for nicotine addiction for years and is used in a number of commercial and medical anti-smoking products or medications. However, they do have a similar effect on your dopamine levels as nicotine, which can make lobelia just as addictive. As a result of many people now recommend that you avoid the herb when trying to quit smoking as it can simply replace one addiction with another.

 

9. Hyssop

Hyssop helps to clear any mucus congestion that may have built up as a result of your smoking habit. This means it helps to reduce the number of negative effects smoking may have had on your health. Not only that, but it could also help to reduce some of the anxiety you might experience as part of your withdrawal.

10. Valerian

Valerian root can be used to infuse an herbal tea. This tea can then be drunk to combat the anxiety that occurs as you withdraw from your nicotine addiction. Like St John’s Worth though, it’s recommended that you avoid valerian root during pregnancy.

 

11. Counseling

Using herbal remedies alongside counseling or behavioral therapies could further increase your chances of successfully quitting smoking and leaving your nicotine addiction behind.

 

12. The Workplace Challenge

The workplace challenge is the idea that you can get your colleagues at work to help you quit in a natural way. This idea came about in 2001 when a manager for PR agency Bratskeir & Co challenged its employees to quit smoking. The deal was that smokers would get the cost of cigarettes deducted from their paycheck and put into a ‘stop-smoking fund’ over the course of six months. The company would then match the amount put into this fund. If any employee failed to quit their payment would be split amongst the other quitting smokers.

13. Get a New Hobby

Some people find that replacing smoking with a new hobby helps the break their smoking routine and makes it easier to quit. Try taking up a new sport or leisure activity to distract yourself from your nicotine addiction.

 

14. Find Your Reason

If you’re struggling to get motivated to quit, you may find it useful to have a powerful, personal reason for wanting to quit. This might be to prevent your family from being affected by secondhand smoke or may simply be to lower your own risk of developing lung cancer or one of the many other health conditions smoking is linked to. Whatever your reason, make sure it’s powerful enough to keep you on track to beat your nicotine addiction.

15. Prepare Before Going ‘Cold Turkey’

Quitting smoking is harder than simply throwing away all your cigarettes. This is because your brain and body will start to crave nicotine and if you don’t feed the addiction, you’ll start to experience withdrawal symptoms. Make sure you have a few chosen home remedies in place before you quit to make the process a little easier.

 

16. Give Yourself a Break

Many people say they smoke to relax, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to relax in other ways as you start to quit smoking. You could try listening to calming music, taking a long hot bath or reading a book. Taking a walk is also a good option as it also gets you up and about. You should also try to minimize your stress in the first few weeks of quitting.

 

17. Avoid Alcohol and Other Triggers

Drinking alcohol can make it difficult to stick to your plan and stay away from nicotine. So, try to limit the amount your drink when you first stop smoking. If you know you usually smoke after meal times, try to distract yourself by chewing gum or brushing your teeth after eating instead.

18. Clean Your House

Washing your clothes and cleaning your house thoroughly will help to remove the smell of cigarettes from your house. This will help you stop smoking as it will remove any reminders of your old habits and lessen the temptation. You should also give your car similar treatment if you used to smoke in your car.

 

19. Exercise

Getting plenty of exercise works as a great home remedy for nicotine addiction as it helps to quell your cravings. If you find yourself wanting to smoke, try going out for a run or heading to the gym instead. Even gentle exercises like yoga or walking will help.

20. Eat Fruits and Vegetables

Dieting when you’re trying to quit smoking could backfire and make it harder to fight off cravings. Instead simply make sure you eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains.

 

21. Deep Breathing

Breathing deeply and focusing on your breath is a great way to handle your cravings as they pass. Carrying out some breathing exercises every thirty minutes can help reduce the regularity of your cravings. Keep breathing until your craving fades and before you know it, you’ll have less and less.

 

22. Identify Rationalizations

If you find yourself slipping and thinking thoughts like “I’ll just have one” you should remind yourself why you’re quitting. Thoughts like this can be dangerous and could derail all the progress you’ve made so far. Go over your reasons for wanting to quit again and seek support from your friends and family.

Which of these home remedies do you think will help you to kick your nicotine addiction? Comment below!

References

https://www.verywellmind.com/natural-remedies-to-quit-smoking-89997

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nicotine-dependence/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351590

https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/features/unusual-ways-to-quit-smoking#1

https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/ss/slideshow-13-best-quit-smoking-tips-ever

https://www.betternutrition.com/features-dept/natural-stop-smoking-aids