Nicotine Addiction
Nicotine addiction is a result of smoking or chewing tobacco products. The Center for Disease Control lists tobacco use as the "leading preventable cause of death in the United States, causing more than 400,000 deaths each year and resulting in an annual cost of more than $50 billion in direct medical costs." Second hand smoke also affects everyone around the smoker, especially children.
Symptoms
Symptoms of nicotine addiction include the inability to concentrate, irritability, frustration, insomnia, agitation and aggressive feelings when you are not getting more nicotine. Studies have shown that nicotine withdrawal is very similar to withdrawing from cocaine or heroin. Addiction can affect you in other ways too; travel may be severely restricted because of modern no smoking laws on, for example, air planes.
Causes
Nicotine binds to the cholinergic receptors on brain cells, which causes the release of dopamine. This is a precursor to serotonin production which makes you feel good, which in turn makes it very difficult to stop. Clinical addiction sets in after three or four months of use. In this respect it is very similar to the other common vice - alcohol addiction.
Cautions
There is not really any doubt that using tobacco products can cause cancer, emphysema and other diseases that can ultimately result in death. Beating your nicotine addiction may be the most challenging thing in your life, but it is possible and these days there are lots of specially set up organizations, many government run, who will help you through your addiction.
Herbal Treatments
While there is no evidence that herbs can actually cure your addiction, we do know that certain herbs have properties that will help you feel better and put you in a better position to fight the addiction. The herbs listed below all have properties that will be beneficial to you in your fight. It may be a case of trying each one in turn to find which ones help with your particular treatment. A good herbalist will be able to expand on the benefits of each of these and construct a good detoxification program.
Nicotine patches may help you by allowing a measured amount of nicotine into the blood stream. The amount can be gradually reduced until you are free of your nicotine addiction.
Internal Applications
- Peppermint take the tea to help quit smoking. It helps clear the lungs, ease breathing, calm your nerves and boost the circulation. Peppermint helps detoxify the body and can relieve nicotine withdrawal headaches.
- Slippery elm this herb is a potent detoxifier. It helps remove toxins from the lungs and other parts of the body. Take a half teaspoon of slippery elm tea after lunch or take it as an infusion or capsules.
- Oats this herb is a nutritious nerve tonic that actually helps restore the body. It can help you remain calm during nicotine withdrawal.
- Lobelia this herb acts similarly to nicotine and binds to the same receptors in the body. It has a milder effect than nicotine, however. Lobelia has been shown to help relieve the symptoms of addiction in people who are trying to quit smoking. It does have side effects, however, like nausea, vomiting and dizziness, which makes it a remedy of last resort for many.
- Marshmallow take the tea or capsules to help deal with nicotine cravings. For capsules, take 2 or 3 capsules three times per day with your meals. Gradually cut back on the dose. For tea, take 2 or 3 times per day as needed. Do not take it for more than two weeks at a time. Marshmallow helps flush out toxins and relieve cravings.
- St. John's wort take 2 capsules of 450 mg each twice a day to help relieve tobacco cravings and anxiety.
- Ginseng this herb has been proven to prevent the nicotine-induced release of dopamine in the brain. It will also help with coping with stress.
- Valerian this herb helps the brain ease off your addiction by relieving anxiety. Do not take for longer than eight weeks at a time.
- California poppy this sedative herb can also help relieve the stress of beating a nicotine addiction
External Applications
- Licorice chew the root to help detoxify the body and eliminate nicotine. Licorice helps the liver filter out nicotine and other tobacco poisons. It also helps you relax.
- Peppermint use the oil as an aromatherapy aid to help calm your nerves and ease your breathing.