Are There Natural Ways to Curb Nicotine Cravings?

Q: I’ve decided this is the year I’m going to quit smoking. Do you have any tips for me, like maybe some natural ways to curb my cravings for nicotine?

A: Bravo for you. Think of the years of life you are going to add and the money you are going to save by doing this. Those are some very powerful motivators.

Of course millions of people have quit smoking by going “cold turkey”, but you shouldn’t choose this route simply because you are scared of nicotine. While nicotine is the addictive component of cigarettes, it’s not the component that is doing the damage, and nicotine replacement can be very helpful. By using products like the nicotine patch or nicotine gum, you can gradually decrease your dependence on nicotine without further jeopardizing your own health or the health of those around you.

If you prefer natural products over pharmaceuticals, some evidence suggests that St. John’s Wart can help control nicotine cravings.

Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.

Got a health question for Dr. Brent? E-mail him at drbrent@care2.com

Read more: Health, cravings, natural, nicotine, smoking

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Julianna D.

11:08PM PDT on Sep 20, 2011

Thanks- I would share these with a friend but she hates me now because she would rather trust her doc and take meds instead.

send a green star

Robert O.

12:24AM PDT on Sep 16, 2011

Thanks.

Laurie W.

3:28PM PDT on Jul 24, 2011

Yes, there is a natural way to quit smoking. Have you tried baking soda? Baking soda is used for a lot of things but one thing that very few people know is that it will help you with nicotine withdrawal. All you have to do is mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a glass of water with every meal. Your physical addiction to cigarettes is gone by the 3rd day. It really works!

However you will still want to smoke. You miss the hand to mouth action. This is the psychological part that is harder to deal with and can cause you to go back to smoking. What I suggest is that you have something for the hand to mouth habit that you will find yourself stuck with. I tried lollipops, twizzlers celery sticks, etc. However, what helps me is an electronic cigarette with no nicotine cartridges. You can actually inhale and blow smoke in the form of a water vapor. However, the cartridges contain no nicotine. It helps with the hand to mouth habit.

I purchased an electronic cigarette kit for $25.00 at http://www.Sherlocksden.com. Replacement cartridges are very inexpensive and the cost is 80-90%% less than the cost of regular cigarettes. Now if anyone knows how I can get rid of the hand to mouth habit I can save myself the $25.00 a month I am currently spending on zero nicotine replacement cartridges.

Melissah C.

2:28AM PDT on Apr 14, 2011

thanks

John M.

9:26AM PDT on Sep 17, 2010

Good information to use as I try to quit.

Past Member .

7:09AM PDT on Sep 17, 2010

Sue, please read through some of the suggestions listed below as so many of us want to help all smokers to quit. Try to find a site specially for all quitters. I help with one here in the uk and we've had so much success. Never, ever stop trying to quit for the sake of living a healthy life. ;-)

Sue H.

5:57PM PDT on Sep 16, 2010

Sadly, I have not been successful with
the patch or lozenges or hypnosis.

NO EMAILS P.

1:17AM PDT on Aug 31, 2010

Thanks

jake s.

4:01AM PDT on Aug 30, 2010

I agree with Margaret, smoking is an addiction. I've tried patches & gum over the years to no avail, I don't know if St. John's Wort would help at all, but I'm going to try stopping with the aid of some Ecigarettes next, fingers crossed they work.

Tourism R.

3:01AM PDT on Jul 29, 2010

I am using now an
electronic cigarette and I know it is still health threatening, but it can't be worse than the regular cigarettes.