Quit Smoking Help

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Human lungs are paired organs inside the chest cavity which perform respiration. Their job is vital because they supply oxygen to the body. It has been estimated that each day, we take around 23,000 breaths and with each of them, our lungs supply fresh oxygen to our bloodstream which is carried to the cells.

Of all human organs, lungs are most directly affected by the bad habit: cigarette smoke is inhaled into them with each puff. More importantly, only ten percent of the toxic substances, contained within the cigarette smoke are exhaled, while the other ninety percent are deposited inside the lungs.

Would you believe if you hear that smoking has an artistic side: with every cigarette they lit, smokers add deadly brownish tones to the white canvas of their lungs. No?! Well, let’s see the bigger picture – imagine that each cigarette is a palette of carcinogens and other harmful substances, including tar. Seventy percent of the tar is deposited inside the smoker’s lungs, covering them with huge brown and black areas. These tars damage the cells in the airways of the smoker’s lungs. Eventually, the damages may lead to lung cancer or cancer of the larynx. To prevent this, the organism sends defense sells to tackle carcinogens, but these defenders are easily destroyed by the army of harmful substances in cigarette smoke. The dead defense cells then release substances which damage the lungs’ structure and cause a condition known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD.

Even worse, not only do smokers damage their own lungs by practicing the habit, but they also harm the lungs of the people around them. This phenomenon is known as passive smoking. Passive smokers also inhale the smoke from the burning tips of cigarettes, which contains even more of the harmful cocktail of chemicals than the smoke that has passed through the cigarette filter. People with asthma or other respiratory problems are most troubled by the passive smoking. Due to passive smoking, children whose parents smoke are more likely to develop lung problems.

If people quit smoking, this will save not only their lungs, but also the lungs of his or her loved ones and, last but not least, they will help the environment. It is clear that smokers, as a whole, have their share in the global air pollution.

Folk, or natural, methods to stop smoking have been growing in popularity in recent years, acting as a real alternative to more common practices such as the use of nicotine patches and tablets or the utilization of electronic cigarettes.
Here you could find out about some of the best folk remedies to give up smoking:

St John’s Wort

This herb is one of the most often employed natural cures to quit smoking. Initially used as an antidepressant, it has been proved to help smokers fight off their withdrawal symptoms. Studies have estimated that one in every three persons, subjected to a 3-month treatment with the herb, has permanently quit smoking. Not only it has a relatively good success rate, but St. John’s wort is also a much safer remedy to stop smoking than those which utilize pure nicotine (i.e. the ones mentioned in the intro).
Nonetheless, it is advisable that you consult a specialist before beginning a treatment with the herb, as it may interfere with other over-the-counter drugs you are taking. Also, pregnant or nursing women or people with bipolar disorder should refrain from using it.

Lobelia

This herb, also known as Indian tobacco, has been used as a nicotine substitute for years. Its main substance, lobeline, is known to reduce nicotine cravings and calm down the bouts of irritation in the smoker.
However, high doses of the lobelia herb may cause vomiting, rapid heartbeat, convulsions or other adverse reactions. Therefore, you ought to consult a qualified health practitioner before you start a program with it.

Alkaline Foods

Eating foods with high level of alkalinity may help you give up smoking by changing the preference of your taste buds. Boiled oats, for example, have been used in India for centuries to treat various addictions. Apart from cooked wild oats, you may also want to try a diet with other alkaline foods such as spinach, raisins, figs, almonds, and beet greens.

Salt

As some ex-smokers testify, licking a bit of salt every time you feel like lighting a cigarette can help you break your habit within a month.