Home Remedies and Tips to Quit Smoking: Managing Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms with Herbs Naturally

Smoking is a dreaded self induced trauma having effects not only on the respiratory system but tends to affect the cardiovascular and gastro-intestinal system. In addition smoking is associated with premature aging which results in the premature formation of wrinkles, crowfeet, etc. in addition studies have shown a correlation between smoking and hair loss in males. Estimates suggest that cigarette smoking is responsible for one third of all cancer fatalities in the United States and responsible for about one fourth of all heart attack deaths. Smoking is a high risk behavior but can be effectively managed with natural remedies and certain life style modifications.

Smoking Kills

Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms: Quit Smoking Symptoms

Cigarette smoke contains approximately 4000 different harmful chemicals and toxins which result in an onslaught on health. More than 50 of the chemicals found in cigarette smoke are directly linked to the development of cancer. Studies have shown that nicotine (the primary component of cigarette smoke) is responsible for release of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Serotonin and dopamine are associated are ‘feel good’ hormones, which is the feeling associated with cigarette smoking, often resulting in addiction.

 On attempting to quit smoking individuals face a wide range of symptoms which include, 

• Mental symptoms like anger, apprehension, irritability, frustration and anxiety
• Inability of concentrate and reduced interest in hobbies is another essential symptom
• Headaches associated with a consistent feeling of restlessness is another common symptom
• May individuals may complain of increase in appetite. Smoking tends to suppress appetite and the condition improves after an individual quits smoking

Simple Home Remedies to Quit Smoking: Herbs that help in management of Nicotine Withdrawal

St John's Wort
helps manage depression
and withdrawal symptoms

Some herbs have been found to be effective in the management of withdrawal symptoms associated with quit smoking. It should be noted that the severity of the withdrawal symptoms tend to reduce with reduced frequency of consumption of cigarette smoke,

• St John’s Wort or Hypericum perforatum is a herb which is used to treat depression and is found to be beneficial in the management of people attempting to quit smoking. In a study conducted, supplements of St John’s Wort (about 450 mg twice a day), was useful in helping about 40% of the patients to quit smoking.
• Ginseng is another herb which is found to prevent the release of dopamine which in turn induces the addiction for the condition. Controlling the production of dopamine helps in reducing the craving associated with smoking observed in individuals attempting to quit smoking
• Saffron is another herb which is known to enhance mental functions, improve concentration and fight irritability. Mix a few string of saffron in milk and consume them regularly. Milk is another mood food which helps fight addiction and craving associated with smoking.
• Increase the intake of Vitamin C. Increase intake of citrus fruits like lemon, lime, oranges, strawberry, etc. An ideal dietary intake of Vitamin C is 40 mg per day, however smokers or individuals quitting smoking might require as high as 80 mg of Vitamin C. Nicotine Dioxide from cigarette smoke reduces the uptake of Vitamin C which is also responsible for premature aging and reduces the immunity and ability of an individual to fight infections.
• A detox diet may be beneficial. Detox diet helps in elimination of toxins from the body. A lemon detox diet is recommended.

 Quit Smoking Tips: Lifestyle Tips to reduce carving for Smoking

An acute craving for cigarette smoking doesn’t last for more than five minutes. Here are some simple tips to fight smoke craving,

• Exercising or taking a walk when there is a craving to smoke helps manage the craving
• Increase the intake of fluids. A minimum consumption of three liters of water each day is recommended
• Eliminate processed and refined foods from your diet. Instead increase the intake of fresh fruits, vegetables and grains rich in dietary fiber
• Yoga and meditation can help fight stress and enhance self confidence. Regular practice of yoga techniques can help enhance the production of dopamine and serotonin naturally

Quitting smoking will reenergize your lungs and enhance your energy levels. Smoking is not only harmful to your body, but can cause harm to others around you, including your family and friends. 

Natural Home Remedies, Diet and Yoga Deep Breathing to Cure Chronic Sinusitis

The sinuses are small cavities that tend to get blocked as a result of inflamed nasal passages, more often than not, due to an allergen such as, dust, animal dander or pollen. As the nasal passage gets occluded, the bacteria attack the mucus membrane of the sinus and this causes sinus infection. Certain foods are known to treat sinus infection efficiently. They help alleviate the symptoms of the infection, and also reduce the intensity and frequency of the complaint. Also, aromatherapy and Pranayama have been proved to be significantly helpful in sinusitis.

Sinusitis has emerged as a very common upper respiratory tract disorder that has a tendency to wards chronicity. The following home remedies and natural treatments promise to manage the case successfully.

X ray image of Sinusitis

Chronic Sinusitis Symptoms
By and large, people complain of:

•  Headaches
• Sneezing and nasal discharge
• Nose block
• Watering of the eyes
• Fever and weakness

Sinus Infection Diet and Home Remedy

•  Garlic: Garlic is an infection fighter. It effectively combats microbial activity and eliminates infection promptly. Soak 2 flakes of grated raw garlic in half a bowl of honey. Let it sit for 2 hours. Consume this mixture everyday, for at least a week.
• Ginger: ginger halts the process of inflammation. It clears up the sinuses, reduces swelling and inflammation and drains mucus. Grate half an inch of ginger in a glassful of water and boil for 15 minutes. Consume this decoction, twice daily.
• Lime: limes are chockfull of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful anti oxidant that perks up the working of the immune system and makes the body less vulnerable to infections. Have the juice of freshly squeezed lime everyday.

 Natural Remedy for Sinus Infection

Steam inhalation is the best natural remedy for sinusitis. It helps to unclog the blocked nasal passages and helps in sinus drainage. Take a bowl of water and let it boil. Bow your head over the bowl of water and inhale the vapors. Inhale the vapors for about 5 minutes. Also, adding a drop of two of essential oils like, Eucalyptus oil or Peppermint oil has miraculous benefits.

 Sinusitis Cures: The Complete Breath or Yoga Deep Breathing

Deep Breathing Yoga

The most effective and permanent cure for sinusitis is Pranayama. Pranayama means regulated and controlled breathing. Breathing right helps to improve lung capacity, enhance lung power, and fight respiratory disorders and enhances immunity

1. Sit comfortably, in a cross legged position. Close your eyes.

2. This Pranayama technique is divided in to abdominal breathing, thoracic breathing and clavicualr breathing.

3. Inhale and be conscious of the air entering your abdomen, then your chest, and then the clavicular portion of the lungs. Hold the breath for 2 seconds, then exhale, such that the air leaves the clavicular portion first, then the thoracic and then the abdomen.

Effective Treatment for Asthma in Children: Pranayama and Yoga Poses

As per a research paper published in the International Journal of Yoga, pranayama and deep breathing exercises help in improving lung functions, especially when practiced regularly. The study evaluated fifty subjects and observed that individuals, who practiced correct breathing techniques, were found to show higher levels of improvement in Peak expiratory flow rates. Pranayama and Deep breathing exercises are hence very important modalities in the long term treatment plan for Asthma

Asthma is more frequent
in Children

Allergy Asthma: Asthma in Children

Asthma refers to chronic inflammation of the airways, which can be associated with recurring and variable symptoms primarily caused due to obstruction of the air passage. This obstruction is however temporary and reversible in nature. Asthma is often associated with symptoms like shortness of breath and tightness of the chest. In addition wheezing and coughing may also be experienced in some patients.

Though Asthma may affect individuals of all ages, it is more frequently observed among children. Asthma has a higher prevalence in the western and developed countries with seven percent of population of United States and Five percent of the population of United Kingdom affected by the condition.

The factors responsible for asthma include environmental and genetic factors. Allergies to pollen, dust, mite, etc are considered to be prime factors responsible for asthma in children. Family history of asthma plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of the disease in the individual. More and more studies are pointing towards the fact the yoga techniques including deep breathing exercises and pranayama are found to be of greater value in management of asthma.

Yoga Deep Breathing-
Pranayama

Breathing Excercises for Treatment of Asthma: Pranayama Yoga Pose
Pranayama, an important component of the ancient practice of Yoga, has been found to be the most effective form of treatment for asthma, more so, because, it offers long-term and lasting cure.

‘Prana’ is the vital energy or the vital principle, and ‘ayama’ signifies control. Pranayama means breath control. It trains you to breathe in a controlled and regulated manner.

Pranayama plays a vital role in the long term management of asthma. This is how,

• Pranayama increases the body’s vitality and gives an incredible boost to the immune processes, thus reducing the body’s susceptibility to allergens. Conscious breathing augments the amount of oxygen reaching the cells, and provides greater energy, by enhancing the cellular processes.
• Pranayama increases the overall breathing capacity, and decreases the need and dependence on medications and bronchodilators. It offers a healthy way of life, naturally.
• The lung’s power / capacity is enhanced, breathing becomes more relaxed, and an attack of asthma is warded off.

Deep breathing Excercises: Yoga Poses for Treatment of Asthma 
The practice of this Pranayama technique. yields significant benefits to an asthmatic. The Yogi deep breathing opens out the chest and the lungs. It enhances the lung capacity to a significant extent.

Make it a habit to practice this technique, first thing in the morning.

The technique:

• Sit comfortably, either cross-legged on to the floor, or in a straight-backed chair, keeping your spine erect.
• (Remember, that you have to divide your breathing in to 3 phases – abdominal, thoracic, and clavicular, to optimize the amount of oxygen entering in to your lungs.)
• For the first phase, inhale, so that the abdomen expands, next, expand your chest, taking in the air, and lastly, let the top most part of the chest (the clavicles or the collar bones) expand, so that the apices of the lungs get filled up.
• Hold the breath for a few seconds.
• Then exhale, gradually, in the opposite fashion, i.e., let the breath leave the clavicular part first, then the thoracic or the chest is deflated, and then, the abdomen.
• Hold the breath for a few seconds, before starting the second round of Yogi deep breathing.
• Five rounds of the complete breath are recommended.
• It is imperative to ensure that you never forcefully inhale or exhale. That will generate no benefits, and could even be counter productive.

A multi disciplinary approach comprising of deep breathing excercises, dietary modifications and avoidance of allergens can play a crucial role in the management of asthma.

Asthma and food allergies: Foods that trigger asthma

Numerous clinical studies and researches have discovered that asthma is closely associated with certain food allergies. They play an important role in triggering off an asthma attack. Adverse reactions to certain foods may be immediate or delayed.

Clinical trials have found that immediate reactions are usually to the following foods, (which the individual may be allergic to): eggs, shellfish, fish, nuts, and peanuts. Delayed reactions occur due to the ingestion of: chocolate, milk, and food additives.

Managing food-triggered asthma:

• Elimination diets have been particularly useful in the effective management of asthma, especially in infants and children.
• Ascertain the exact food allergen, by the process of elimination, and stay away from the offending foods. A sustained and steady avoidance will stave off an episode of asthma.
• Vitally important in the control of asthma is the elimination of food additives from the diet. Tartrazine, sulphates, and sulphites have been known to cause asthma. These food additives are found in practically all the packaged and processed foods, and avoiding processed foods is the only solution.

What is Asthma?: Homeopathy for Treatment of Asthma and Allergy

As per a study conducted by researchers at the United Kingdom’s University of Glasgow, 80% of patients who were given small ‘homeopathic’ doses of a substance they were allergic to improved within first week, as compared to only 38% patients who received placebo. This research study has reiterated the significant role of homeopathy in management of chronic ailments like asthma. The burden of cost of asthma is approximately $ six billion annually in United States alone, as per the American Institute of Homeopathy. A combination of homeopathy with yoga techniques and dietary modifications treats asthma effectively.

What is Asthma?: Causes of Asthma

Asthma is an allergic disorder characterized by spasms of the bronchi (the air way tubes), swelling of the mucus lining of the lungs, and the production of excessive amounts of thick, viscid mucus.

Air passage changes in asthmatics

Some of the common causes of Asthma

• An allergen, such as hay, pollen, animal dander, and dust are strong factors that activate an attack of asthma.


• Toxic chemicals and air pollution are very important factors that act as triggering as well as maintaining causes for asthma.


• Viral infections


• Exposure to cold air


• Emotional upset or tumult


• Excessive physical exercise also triggers asthma.


• Early weaning of an infant from breast milk and an early introduction to solid foods are reasons that increase the frequency and intensity of asthma in children


• Genetically engineered plants are augmenting allergic reactions, particularly asthma in a number of individuals.


• Food additives present in all refined food packets


• Tobacco smoke is also considered as a trigger to development of Asthma

Asthma and Allergy: Diagnosing Asthma

A typical asthma attack is seen as difficulty in breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and excessive production of mucus. Asthma usually occurs in response to an allergic reaction to food, pollen, dust, humidity, etc.

The diagnosis of Asthma is based on a serious of blood tests, skin tests and respiratory function tests. The common findings observed in these tests include,

• A person suffering from chronic asthma will demonstrate high levels of eosinophils in the blood


• There will be raised levels of IgE levels


• The individual will demonstrate positive allergic tests.


• Respiratory functions tests help evaluate the capacity and functioning ability of the lungs.

Treatment for Asthma: Homeopathy for Asthma Cure

Homeopathy for Asthma

Innumerable homeopathic medicines have shown beneficial results in the management of asthma. These remedies improve the body’s defense mechanisms, and lower the susceptibility to allergens. Here are two simple homeopathic remedies to battle asthma

1.     Blatta: Blatta is a very powerful homeopathic prescription for bronchial asthma. It is particularly indicated in fat and corpulent individuals. The patient has thick and profuse expectoration (mucus secretion), dyspnoea (severe difficulty in breathing), worse at night, and cough. Blatta promises to reduce the frequency of asthmatic episodes and, to lower the intensity of each asthmatic attack.

2.     Drosera: Drosera has a marked effect on the entire respiratory tract. It is predominantly used in cases of asthma with a severe cough and occasional fever. Used in conjunct with Blatta, it shows faster results. Drosera cures a spasmodic, irritating cough, which aggravates after midnight, very effectively. Labored breathing, suffocation, and hoarseness are treated miraculously.

Homeopathy combined with dietary corrections and right breathing techniques have profound benefits in the management of asthma.