Many concerned about their health turn to using herbs to quit smoking. Depending on the herb used, there are a variety of methods for herbal treatment. The herbs can be either ingested directly or brewed into teas. Certain health food stores might sell pills and capsules that contain herbs to quit smoking. Smokers can also curb their nicotine addiction by putting a few drops of herbal tinctures on their tongues.
Peppermint, for example, is widely considered as one of the most popular herbs to quit smoking. Chewing or taking tea made from peppermint leaves helps reduce nicotine cravings, making it much easier for smokers to stop smoking. Experts recommend that smokers chew on a leaf of peppermint whenever they get the craving to smoke. Taking a cup of peppermint tea with every meal might also help individuals stop smoking naturally.
Another herb that can be brewed into a tea is lobelia. Lobelia tea is widely believed to make the taste of tobacco unbearable. In addition, the herb's active ingredient, lobeline, can increase dopamine production in the brain much in the same way as nicotine does, making lobelia tea a favorable substitute for cigarettes. Among the many herbs to quit smoking, however, lobelia is also one of the most controversial. High doses of lobelia were found to be toxic to the body, and the plant was temporarily banned for use in the United States as a result.
St. John's Wort is another popular choice among the different herbs to quit smoking. Usually taken in pill or capsule form, the herb has been found to dramatically reduce the desire for cigarettes. Roughly one out of every three smokers taking St. John's Wort supplements stops smoking after 12 weeks of treatment. The herb might directly or indirectly interfere with other medications, and so it is recommended that smokers taking other drugs consult their physicians before taking St. John's Wort.
Tinctures, or alcoholic herbal extracts, are another way of administering herbs to quit smoking. One herb that makes for an effective tincture is green oat. A few drops of green oat tincture on the tongue can produce the same calming effects of nicotine, without any addictive qualities.
When considering using herbs to quit smoking, it is highly recommended that smokers consult their doctors first. The herbs might clash with any medications currently being taken or may contain allergens that pose a serious health risk. It is advisable that you consult with your doctor about the potential side effects you might experience when using herbs to quit smoking.