If you are a smoker you should be aware of these natural products that can improve your health and/or improve your chances of quitting or cutting down on your cigarette smoking. Here are some natural elixirs that may help.
- Oats
Easily available and tasty, oats are healthy foods. Studies have shown that they are especially good for your heart because they contain folate, potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. Eating oats can reduce bad cholesterol, improve arterial health, reduce risk of heart diseases, improve nervous system, eliminate free radicals, reduce stress, and reduce blood pressure. Since smoking can have an adverse effect on your heart, adding oats to your diet is something every smoker should consider!
- Ginseng
Without getting too scientific, addictive drugs sensitize dopamine receptors in the brain, which result in continued cravings for the stimulation. Ginseng helps protect dopamine receptors from becoming over sensitized. The reduction in sensitivity can reduce the cravings for that next smoke. One can take it by adding a teaspoon of ginseng powder into your cereal or shakes; it will help decrease the feeling of craving a smoke.
- Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne is one of the best home remedies to quit smoking because it can reduce cigarette cravings. Similar to what ginseng does to dopamine receptors, cayenne pepper can desensitize the respiratory system to chemical irritants and tobacco, thereby reducing those smoking cravings. Just a few pinches of cayenne pepper powder in some water each day will really help with this.
- St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is used in healing anxiety, sleep disorders, and depression. With its calming properties, it helps reduce the nervous anxiety which may just result in lighting up another smoke. In addition, St. John’s Wort can reduce kidney conditions, migraines, hypothyroidism, hemorrhoids, stomachache, inflammation, burns, stings, insect bites, skin conditions, etc. You can pick some up at your local health food store or vitamin shop.
- Water
Can you believe that water is one of the most useful home remedies to quit smoking? Try to drink lots of water every day, it will detoxify your body and make your stomach reduce cravings for smokes. Adults should drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. You can supply more fluids by eating fruits or some soups.
- Vitamins
Smoking can cause vitamin deficiencies in your body, which in turn can lead to some negative effects to your health. The vitamins that you should be taking to combat this loss are vitamins A, C and E, all of which can repair damaged cells in the body. Smoking burns up a lot of Vitamin C, which can cause scurvy (gum disease). So smokers really need to supplement Vitamin C. Some vitamins are contained in many healthy foods or you can take tablets. Make sure that you ask your doctor before taking supplements.
- Honey
You might be surprised to hear that honey is on the list of home remedies to quit smoking. Honey not only helps smokers relieve the nicotine habit, but also heal many common conditions, as well as improve skin, hair, and general heath. Honey includes proteins, enzymes and vital vitamins that can help you quit smoking with ease.
