Smoking

See also “Addictions”
Addiction to smoking has two main causes: nicotine toxicity and stress. Once a person becomes a smoker, he or she has to achieve just the “right” amount of nicotine toxicity to maintain proper functioning of the brain as well as normal digestion and elimination. Also, at times of pressure or emotional disturbance, smokers habitually reach for a cigarette. So two parallel strategies are needed: detoxifying the nicotine toxicity and dealing with the stress.

HERBAL CIGARETTE. To gradually wean yourself from smoking, Ayurveda suggests that you prepare the following herbal mixture. It will help both with reducing your stress level and with detoxifying your body. Mix together equal amounts of:

brahmi
jatamamsi
rose petal powder

Remove ⅓ of the tobacco from a few of your cigarettes (at the end you light) and replace it with this mixture. When you feel like smoking, light and smoke the herbal mixture. When you reach the tobacco, stop. Soon you will see that the desire to smoke begins to diminish.

OVERWHELM YOURSELF. Here’s another helpful procedure: Place a few drops of brahmi ghee directly on the cigarette, then light up. The smoke produced will be so strong, it will eliminate your desire to smoke.

EFFECTIVE HERBAL TEA. At times of stress, instead of smoking a cigarette, prepare and drink a tea made of equal proportions of jatamamsi, chamomile, and brahmi.

jatamamsi 1 part
chamomile 1 part
brahmi 1 part
Steep 1 teaspoon of this mixture in a cup of hot water, and drink. Take it slowly, sip by sip, to help relieve the desire to smoke.

CHEW INSTEAD OF SMOKING. Whenever the desire for a cigarette arises, chew one or two small pieces of dried pineapple instead, mixed with ½ teaspoon honey.

REDUCE STRESS BY MEDITATING. For Stress management, spend some time every day meditating. If you know a practice, use it! Or try the Empty Bowl meditation explained in chapter 7. Most people find that when stress is reduced, their desire to smoke spontaneously decreases.

YOGA POSTURES. Yoga postures are helpful. Try the Moon Salutation sequence, as well as the Locust pose, Bow, Shoulder Stand, Plow, and Palm Tree. (Illustrations of yoga asanas are found in appendix 4.)

BREATHING EXERCISES. The pranayama (breathing exercise) known as Breath of Fire will also help you in your effort to quit smoking. It is explained in chapter 6.