Hey Marlboro Man, Meet St. John

Article Tools

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

Within half a century, tobacco smoking had spread through Europe, inspiring verse from poets and contempt from civil and religious authorities. A Turkish monarch imposed stiff penalties on those who smoked in public; authorities punished one Turk by thrusting his pipe through his nose and parading him through the streets. And an early Harvard University rule stated that "no scholar shall take tobacco unless permitted by the president, with the consent of their parents or guardians, and on good reason first given by a physician and then in a sober and private manner."

If you don't really want to quit, no strategy will work. But if you do want to quit, begin with your mind. Write down five reasons why you like to smoke and five things you don't like about smoking. Then, five ways your life will improve if you quit. Finally, write 10 reasons why you must quit now. Get some emotional leverage on yourself. You are in control, not the tobacco companies!

Consider cutting down on coffee; when that first cup hits your lips in the morning, it may trigger the next act of the day--lighting a cigarette. Consider replacing coffee with high-quality green tea; it is loaded with antioxidants, which may offset the production of harmful free radicals triggered by smoking.

Three herbs can help. Asian (Panax ginseng) and American (P. quinquefolius) ginseng, known as adaptogens, can help you adapt to stress. Although ginseng's effects are subtle, several European clinical studies have confirmed that the herb shortens reaction time to visual and auditory stimuli; increases respiratory quotient; increases alertness, power of concentration, and grasp of abstract concepts; and improves visual and motor coordination.

A rule of thumb for choosing among the many ginseng products on the market is to find one standardized to 4 to 7 percent ginsenosides, then follow instructions on the label. Standardized extracts produce the most predictable benefits, but whole ginseng roots, which you can find at most large natural- and health-food stores, may also help. Whole roots are hard and tough, but nibbling on the end of one, ingesting 1 or 2 grams of the root per day, will not only deliver a standard daily dose, but also provide an alternative to the habit of putting something in your mouth. I keep a piece of ginseng root in the car to nibble on when the urge strikes.

Smoking can overtax the body systems that filter and eliminate toxins. Once you quit, toxins are released from storage tissue such as fat and need to be eliminated. One organ that processes toxins is the liver. Extracts made from the seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) support healthy liver function.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print