Table of contents:
- Natural remedy for quitting smoking
- 1. St. John's wort
- 2. Ginseng
- 3. Lime
- 4. Black pepper
- 5. Calamus
- Don't rely solely on natural remedies to quit smoking
You may already intend to quit smoking, but the desire to return to the match is sometimes quite difficult to contain. Don't give up quickly! We know quitting smoking is difficult. So, using natural remedies might be a solution to smoothen your smoking cessation resolution this year.
Natural remedy for quitting smoking
Smoking is a bad habit that damages the lungs and causes many chronic diseases. Cigarettes can directly damage the body's organs even from the first puff.
Do not worry. Here are five natural cessation drugs that can help you:
1. St. John's wort
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a native European flower shrub that is yellow in color. One plant contains many active ingredients such as naphthodianthrones, phloroglucinols derivatives, and flavonoids.
This plant is actually widely used as an antidepressant because it works to improve mood. In addition, this plant can also reduce nervousness and fatigue associated with depression. Therefore, the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine recommends this drug for mild depression.
However, research has also found that this plant can be used as a natural remedy for smoking cessation. St. John's wort is generally available as a tea, tablet, liquid, and topical form.
St. Extract John's wort is very safe when taken by mouth as directed by your doctor for at least 12 weeks. Some evidence also shows that this plant is safe to use for more than one year in certain cases.
However, St. John's wort is not usually recommended for the following groups of people:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Children
- People with bipolar disorder
- People who have liver or kidney disease
As a herbal medicine, St. John 'wort also has some side effects such as:
- Hard to sleep
- Delirious
- Restless
- Easily offended
- Stomach ache
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Skin rash
- Diarrhea
- Tingling sensation
Still, further research is needed to prove the efficacy of this one plant.
2. Ginseng
Ginseng is strongly thought to prevent the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is stimulated by nicotine. Dopamine is a hormone that makes you feel good or better after smoking and is part of the addiction process.
Therefore, research published in Neuropsychopharmacology states that ginseng can be a therapy for nicotine addiction. Because ginseng can weaken the effects of dopamine.
Drinking ginseng tea regularly is thought to reduce the attractiveness of smoking, making the aftertaste less pleasant.
Unfortunately, further research is still needed to prove the effectiveness of ginseng as a natural remedy for smoking cessation.
3. Lime
Fresh lime is not only delicious as a drink. Lime juice can also be used as a natural remedy to quit smoking.
Even so, a study published in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand proved, lime is slightly less effective at reducing smoking cravings than nicotine gum.
However, it never hurts to try, right? If you want to try it, chop the lime into pieces then sip on the juice every time you want to smoke a cigarette.
4. Black pepper
Black pepper is one of the crumbs that is widely used as a cooking spice. However, research in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence looked at the benefits of black pepper as a natural remedy for smoking cessation.
Research conducted by Jed E. Rose and his friends found evidence that the steam of black pepper mixed with essential oils can reduce the desire to smoke.
Research conducted on 48 people proved that black pepper was proven to reduce satisfaction and anxiety due to smoking.
In addition, the steam from black pepper also provides a sensation of relief in the airways when trying to quit smoking.
5. Calamus
Calamus or dlingo is an herbal plant whose roots are used as medicine. Calamus is widely used to treat pain, appetite, indigestion, fever, and cough.
In International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health, calamus is said to have benefits as a natural smoking cessation drug.
However, how the calamus can work in such a way is not known with certainty. Therefore, further research is needed to find out how it works.
However, it is thought that the calamus can stimulate the central nervous system to deal with anxiety when trying to quit smoking.
In addition, because calamus can treat indigestion, it is able to relieve stomach aches that may occur during smoking cessation.
Some people also claim that chewing the calamus root can eliminate the appetite for smoking tobacco.
Before trying these natural ingredients, you can also consult your doctor for more details.
Don't rely solely on natural remedies to quit smoking
When trying to quit smoking, you need a combination of many different ways to be successful. Don't just take natural remedies because these ingredients are not necessarily effective for you when you quit smoking.
Instead, try various methods ranging from therapy, hypnosis, to doctor's drugs to be able to quit smoking. It could be, of the various methods that have been tried, there is one that suits you so that it gives the maximum effect.
Don't hesitate to ask your doctor about the most appropriate way to quit smoking. The doctor will help recommend the right ways and according to your body condition.
Perhaps, your intention to quit will be even stronger when you see how much money you have burnt smoking. The incantation? Try to calculate how much it costs you to buy cigarettes on this Hello Sehat calculator.
