Smoking cessation methods typically use products that contain nicotine, including nasal sprays, inhalers and transdermal patches.

Many people feel these methods are ultimately ineffective, because they involve replacing one source of nicotine for another.

Natural ways to stop smoking include herbs, psychological therapies and alternative treatments.

Natural Ways to Stop Smoking – Herbal Remedies

Herbs that allow you to stop smoking typically provide an effect that is similar to that of nicotine but is not addictive. These types of stop smoking aids can relieve the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine and allow you to reduce your dependence on smoking.

Natural ways to stop smoking that use herbal remedies typically use a blend of materials to provide a greater effect.

Lobelia is one of the most common natural ways to stop smoking. This herb allows you to relax by producing an effect on the central nervous system that is similar to that of nicotine. It is also used to treat respiratory disorders such as asthma and bronchitis.

St. John’s wort has biochemical properties that are similar to that of bupropion, which has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of smoking cessation. Bupropion is currently sold under the brand name Zyban. St. John’s wort is effective in treating depression and has few adverse side effects.

Ginger root is effective in relieving the nausea frequently caused by nicotine withdrawal. Passion flower helps relieve the irritability caused by making withdrawal with its calming effect. Peppermint helps detoxify the body and also acts as a relaxant.

Natural Ways to Stop Smoking – Therapy Programs

Therapy programs are one of the most effective natural ways to stop smoking. These types of stop smoking aids often available at no charge. The Freedom from Smoking Online program offered by the American Lung Association is highly popular with people who have Internet access.

Nicotine Anonymous provides psychological therapy for smokers in a group setting. This organization uses a 12-step program and has chapters throughout the United States. 1-800-QUIT NOW is available via telephone and provides a smoking cessation program with trained counselors at no charge.

Alternative Therapies

Hypnosis is a technique that places the subject into a mental state of heightened suggestibility. It is often used to help people quit smoking. A study published in a 2008 issue of Nicotine and Tobacco research showed that hypnosis was about as effective as other forms of behavioral therapy when combined with nicotine patches.

Acupuncture is one of the most popular natural ways to stop smoking. This technique generally involves the acupuncturists inserting and needles into the skin at specific points on the patient’s body. The purpose of acupuncture is to promote relaxation and relieve the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. An acupuncture procedure is easy to customize for each patient.

Laser treatment uses a principle similar to that of acupuncture to help the patient stop smoking. The laser technician targets a particular point on the body with a cold laser, which does not produce heat. This can cause your body to release endorphins, which have a calming effect and reduce your craving for nicotine. The use of lasers for smoking cassation is a relatively recent application of this technology.

Some people also use aromatherapy as one of the natural ways to stop smoking. This practice generally involves inhaling the vapor of essential oil to achieve a desired therapeutic effect. A study conducted in 2006 regarding the use of pepper oil for smoking cessation was inconclusive.

Community Intervention

Community interventions include a variety of psychosocial methods to influence an individual’s behavior. These techniques are popular natural ways to stop smoking. Community interventions typically help smokers to quit by implementing multiple strategies simultaneously.

Many governments and private workplaces now prohibit smoking, which is a significantly effective method of increasing the rate of smoking cessation. Residents in the home can also make rules prohibiting smoking indoors.

Mass media campaigns that provide information to the public on the risk of cigarette smoking are also believed to be effective in reducing smoking rates. This also includes initiatives on the effects of secondhand smoke.

Increasing the cost of cigarettes and other tobacco products is significantly effective in increasing smoking cessation rates. A 2008 study appearing in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention predicts that increasing the price of tobacco products by 10 percent will increase the rate of smoking cessation by up to 5 percent.