Nature's Healers

I smoked cigarettes for years -- roll-ups mostly. Then I went through cancer and had to stop. Smoking weakens your immune system. I didn’t know how I would succeed. I had tried twice before and failed.

The first time I used my father’s method: ‘Will power!’ But after two days of feeling light-headed and irritable I started smoking again.

When my housemates gave up smoking they suggested I join them in a cigarette-free diet of apples and cheese. But after three days of feeling spaced out and irritable I lit up again.

A natural alternative

A friend tried nicotine patches, but she became pale and stressed. The patches didn’t allow much control over the nicotine dose. But they gave me an idea.

I decided to experiment. I learned how to make herbal smoking mixture and used that to gradually replace the tobacco.

First, I replaced a quarter (25%) of the tobacco in roll-ups with herbs. It was fine so I continued like this for some days. Then I replaced a little more of the tobacco with herbs. After two weeks my roll-ups contained half tobacco and half herb. If craving returned, I smoked one roll-up of the 75% strength. Gradually, the craving lessened as I ‘weaned’ myself off nicotine.

When I stabilized at ‘half in half’ cigarettes without craving, I increased the herb content to two thirds, with only one third of tobacco. If the craving returned I smoked one cigarette with 50% tobacco. Soon, the craving reduced still further.

Then I cut the tobacco content to a quarter, with three quarters of herb. Soon after that I was able to reduce the tobacco to 10%. During this time I had no light-headedness, irritability or stress. In fact I was feeling much better, my skin colour had improved, my lungs were clearer, and I had more energy.

Success

I continued to reduce the tobacco still more. Then one day I looked at the remains of the tobacco packet on the table and I just knew that it would be the last one I would buy. I still remember the day I rolled up the final sliver of tobacco with the herbs. I made a special ritual out of it, savouring the moment of triumph. I was freed at last from the tyranny of tobacco!

It took several weeks to cure the craving gradually. For a while l smoked herbal cigarettes without tobacco, but I didn’t need them for long. I have not smoked a cigarette in three years. I no longer like the smell of tobacco, and I am certain that I will never smoke again.

So if you want to give up smoking my advice is:

1. Don’t set yourself up to fail -- set achievable mini-goals, step by step, and reward yourself now and then.

2. If you have failed to give up smoking, the method was not right for you. Try a different method, and if that does not work try another.

Oh -- the names of the herbs that helped me to quit? Sage (salvia officinalis) and coltsfoot leaves (tussilago farfara), cured with a little honey and water, or just the dried herb. Both are cheap to buy or can be grown in your garden.

The basic mixture is made from sage leaves (salvia officinalis or salvia purpurea), and coltsfoot leaves (tussilago farfara). Sage burns well and makes a good base for any smoking mixture. Coltsfoot helps to relieve lung congestion and coughs.

1 oz/ 30g oz dried sage

1 oz /30g dried coltsfoot

4 tablespoons of warm water

4 teaspoons of sugar or honey.

1. Put the herbs together in a mixing bowl, removing any stalks.

2. Dissolve the honey in the water and add it to the herbs 1 teaspoonful at a time.

3. Rub it well into the leaves with your hands till slightly damp.

4. Spread the mixture out on a shallow dish for tray for 2 or 3 days, turning occasionally.

5. When it is dry enough to burn, but not parched, put it in an airtight container or tin.

The mixture can be smoked in cigarettes, burnt on a charcoal block or inhaled through a paper tube.

Try adding 2 teaspoons of aromatic herbs such as lavender, oregano, aniseeds, or thyme for flavour and aroma. Use a tablespoon of warm water and 1 teaspoon of honey or sugar for every ½ oz /15g of herbs.

Some herbs have a calming effect - helpful when giving up an addiction. Try adding hops, chamomile flowers, or skullcap.

Other herbs that have been successfully used in smoking mixtures include: mullein, comfrey, betony leaves, mallow, mint, hop leaves, catnip, tarragon, basil, lemon balm, jasmine, geranium, carnation, bergamot, fennel seeds and vanilla pods. Be creative and use herbs growing wild or in your garden.

Try adding hops or damiana for extra help if you need it.

Smoke Inhalations sooth a tight chest, congestion and asthma. You don’t have to inhale the smoke directly. You can burn aromatic herbs such as peppermint, cedar, lavender, rosemary or sage as incense or sprinkle them onto a hot fire. You can make a mixture, for example:

2 teaspoons of sage or coltsfoot.

1 teaspoon fennel seeds or

1 teaspoon aniseeds

Pinch of spice e.g. nutmeg

© Martha Magenta 2006

Images from top to bottom:

1. Sage   2. Coltsfoot   3. Horsetail