There's an Oil for That™: Quit Smoking Naturally

Are there any oils that will help me quit smoking?

Trevor, AZ

Stop Smoking, Naturally!

Nicotine gets its name from the tobacco plant Nicotiana tabacum . It is present in many other plants, but Nicotiana tabacum is the main source of commercially cultivated and processed tobacco leaves that are used for making cigarettes. Nicotine is therefore a naturally occurring chemical compound (like morphine and opium which come from poppy seeds). Just like those chemicals, nicotine is very fast acting and it is one of the most addictive substances known to man.

Nicotine gets in the body through the inhalation of cigarette smoke. Once the smoke reaches the lungs, it is absorbed into the blood stream (as is oxygen) and distributed throughout the body. The body will see the nicotine as a toxic substance, and it will immediately begin to metabolized it through the kidneys, and then flush it through the liver to be sent out with the urine. This quick flushing rate often leads to heavy smoking, as smokers keep going for their next hit.

Through years of smoking, nicotine will end up in the fat cells and throughout the rest of the body. Once you quit smoking, the majority of the nicotine in your body should be metabolized and out of your system with in 48 to 72 hours. However, because nicotine sticks to your fat cells and other parts of your body, it can take longer to flush out entirely. Cotinine is a by-product of the burning of nicotine, and it can stay in your body up to 30 days. The amount of nicotine in each cigarette is approximately 1 to 2 mg.

Symptoms of Nicotine/Smoking

After just one puff of a cigarette, the nicotine begins to act on the central nervous system, brain and other parts of the body, causing:

False Relaxation- Nicotine actually stimulates your system, even though it makes you feel relaxed. It produces an increased amount of a chemical, called dopamine, in the brain that when stimulated gives the feeling of pleasure, relaxation and reduced anxiety, but only for a moment. Once the dopamine levels drop, the nicotine addict may feel down or even depressed and lights up another cigarette to feel good again.

Heart Palpitations/Hypertension- A person who smokes puts an extra strain on their heart every time they have a cigarette. Cigarettes also contain carbon monoxide, which makes it more difficult for your body to get the oxygen it needs. To compensate, blood flow to the extremities is reduced.

Suppressed Immune System- Nicotine affects the production of a type of white blood cell, which is produced in bone marrow and defends against infection and disease. Researchers found that nicotine-tainted cells were less able to seek and destroy bacteria than normal cells, and that nicotine suppresses an important cell function that helps kill invading bacteria. Thus causing a lowered resistance to colds and the flu.

Reduced body Senses- Smokers have bad breath, stained teeth and fingers. The nicotine addict's sense of smell and taste are less sensitive than a non-smoker's are, therefore they don't notice how they smell to others. The body is constantly trying to detox through the skin, which causes a bitter/pungent smell of a smokers body. Appetite is reduced as well.

Wrinkles- Nicotine addicts lose their hair and develop wrinkles at a younger age than non-smokers. Healthy skin perpetually regenerates. While old collagen is broken down and removed new collagen is produced. Researchers have found that smoke causes a marked reduction in the production of new collagen. A lack of new collagen results in the development of wrinkles.

Reproductive problems- Men who smoke may have fertility problems, and women who use tobacco products are at increased risk of miscarriage, having a low birth weight baby, or going into labor early. Painful menstrual periods or an irregular cycle may be caused by smoking.

Cancer, Disease, and Death- About half of people who smoke will die as the result of their habit. Smoking causes cancer in several parts of the body, including the lungs, mouth, throat, and voice box. It also increases a person's chances of developing heart disease or having a stroke. Nicotine addiction has been linked to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Financially Expensive- Not only does smoking cost your health, but also puts a strain on your pocketbook. Read this article to learn more.

Helping the Body

Within 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your body starts to change. Your pulse rate and blood pressure drop to normal levels. At the 3-day mark, your body will be nicotine free. At the 3-week mark, nicotine will no longer be controlling you. The following items will help you flush the nicotine through, and curb your cravings

Detox – A Liver Cleanse is a must to get out the toxins of both the nicotine and any medication. Read about Body Detoxing here: http://www.theresanoilforthat.blogspot.com/search/label/Body%20Detox

Vitamin C is the best known substance to remove Nicotine from the blood stream. This is because it not only helps increase your metabolism, but also creates White Blood cells, that help carry the poisons out of the body. Nicotine also tends to destroy vitamin C in your body, so replacing it will be important after you quit smoking. Go here to read about and purchase Vitamin C. http://www.theresanoilforthat.com/vitamin-c

Water- Nicotine is water soluble, so drinking water will help flush out any lingering traces.

Exercise- Help metabolize the nicotine by increasing your activity level. Any activity that speeds up your metabolism will help get nicotine and cotinine out of your body quicker.

Diet- Studies show that certain foods and drinks, such as meat and caffeinated beverages make cigarettes taste good. At the same time, dairy products and fresh vegetables make cigarettes taste worse

· Avoid alcohol, sugar and coffee, which can trigger cravings for nicotine.

· Drink Milk and Other Dairy Beverages. Milk makes cigarettes taste very bitter and unpleasant. Some people recommend dipping cigarettes in milk, drying them out and then trying to smoke such cigarettes. The taste must be absolutely terrible, and every time such smoker will feel cravings again, he or she will remember that nasty taste of milky cigarettes.

· Drink/Eat Vitamin C- For the same reason as above, Vitamin C intake is important. Smokers lose a lot of Vitamin C, and their body gets used to exchanging it with some unnatural elements it receives from nicotine. Eat oranges, lemons, black currants, pomegranates and other powerful natural sources of Vitamin C.

· Vegetables- Eat celery, along with such vegetables as zucchinis, egg-plants, beans, and even cucumbers, which affect cigarette taste. Eating a lot of these vegetables can decrease nicotine dependence. Do not eat a lot of sweet vegetable, that are high in sugar, because excessive amounts of glucose activate the areas of the brain responsible for pleasure and satisfaction. Thus, glucose can stimulate cravings.

· Broccoli- Broccoli helps to lower the risks of having lung diseases, including lung cancer. Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a substance which boosts the activity of NRF2 gene and protects lungs from any toxin-related damage. This will only help AFTER you have stopped smoking, because the nicotine kills the activity of sulforaphane.

Helpful Essential oils

Eucalyptus radiata will help stop the cravings. It cleans out the receptor sites. Every 10-15 minutes, apply 1 drop on back of hand and lick it off. (Not tasty, but effective)

To get the lungs regenerated, apply 1 drop of Eucalyptus and 1 drop Peppermint on the chest (male) and on back for (female) . Then place a warm compress over the area until it cools.

Bergamot will also help stop the cravings of nicotine. Apply 1-2 drops on bottoms of feet several times a day.

Until your brain's dopamine chemicals level out on their own, use Frankincense for depression. Split 2-3 drops and place on the crown, back of neck, and tops of ears. (Always smell it. Frankincense will cross the blood brain barrier) Do this as often as necessary.

Herbal Helps

Lobelia (lobelia inflata) The lobeline in Lobelia , commonly known as Indian tobacco, acts much like nicotine although it is less potent. This herb can help fool the body into thinking it has nicotine in the system. Lobelia will help with that OVERWHELMING urge to light up.

· Tincture of Lobelia. (Found in most health food stores, though if you cannot find it locally, you can find it online or call 800.HerbDoc for Dr Schulze's.)

· If worse comes to worse and you HAVE to have that cigarette, do this. Place one drop of lobelia tincture on your tongue, swish it around, and swallow. Now breathe through your mouth. You will FEEL like you just smoked a cigarette. Do this ONLY when you REALLY gotta have that smoke.

· Another way to take lobelia is in a tea. Drinking a cup of lobelia tea makes you feel like you just had a smoke. At some health foods, this is sold as Smoker's Tea.

· Lobelia can be toxic at relatively low doses and should not be used unless under the administration of a qualified health care practitioner.

Oat Straw (Avina sativa) The avenine glycosides in Oat Straw are of use in conditions where nervous weakness is a factor, and acts as a mild stimulator to the central nervous system, where avenine works to increase the peripheral blood flow in the body. These actions are helpful for those withdrawing from smoking addiction. Oat straw can be taken as a fluid extract or as a tea.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) Valerian can act as a calmative while undergoing withdrawal. When combined with lemon balm and St.John’s wort, this herb forms one third of a valuable antidepressant, and has shown value in reducing symptoms of anxiety and fear.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) Hyssop helps clean the mucus that has accumulated in the smoker’s lungs. In the first few days after quitting cigarettes, the body starts to reject the mucus that has been accumulating. The quitter might go through coughing bouts that bring up phlegm. Hyssop helps in separating it from the lungs and making it easier to cough it all out. It is recommended not to use any medication to dry up the mucus. Use Hyssop instead to get it out. Drink a a cup of Hyssop Tea once a day, until lungs are clear. Add Honey to sweeten.