30.o. Alternative Healing
Description
This article is from the Stop Smoking FAQ, by 70424.57@compuserve.com with numerous contributions by others.
30.o. Alternative Healing
Here are summaries of tools and techniques described in New Choices in
Natural Healing (a Prevention magazine book), ed. by Bill Gottlieb
(Pennsylvania: Rodale Press, 1995), pp. 505-507. I haven't tried any of
them except imagery, and make no recommendations or endorsements. They
could help, or they could be a colossal waste of time and money. As one of
my univ. profs used to say, Yer pays yer money and ya takes yer choice.
Aromatherapy
To ride out cravings, mix essential oils as follows: 3 parts lemon, 2 parts
geranium, 1 part everlast (aka 'immortelle' 'helichrysum') in a small
bottle. Inhale from bottle whenever a craving hits. "'Lemon is a
detoxifying agent, and geranium helps balance the adrenal system,' explains
[aromatherapist Victoria] Edwards. 'Everlast is a powerful cellular
rejuvenator and will help your body heal the damage smoking has done.' This
blend is also good when used in a diffuser, says Edwards.
Ayurveda
To help you quit smoking or cut down on your habit, try chewing on small
pieces of dried pineapple (about 1/2 teaspoon's worth) mixed with 1/2
teaspoon of honey, suggests Vasant Lad ... director of the Ayurvedic
Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He says to use this remedy whenever
you desire a cigarette.
Food Therapy
No, not eating everything in sight! :) According to Dr. John Pinto of
Cornell University Medical College and a nutrition researcher at
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, load up on Vitamin C well beyond the
Recommended Dietary Allowance; its antioxidant qualities will help repair
damage done by smoking. Thomas Cooper, D.D.S. concurs but note, he says to
avoid orange juice if you're using the patch: "By making your urine more
acidic, the juice will clear your body of nicotine faster. But the purpose
of the patch is to keep some nicotine in your body as you try to wean
yourself off the weed.
Hydrotherapy
The body wrap, or wet sheet pack, can help detoxify your system if you're
trying to quit, according to Charles Thomas, Ph.D. ... This treatment can
be done at home but will probably require help from a partner. After
warming up with a hot shower, lie down on a bed with your entire body
wrapped in a sheet wrung out in cold water. Then wrap yourself in one or
more wool blankets. While the pack feels cool at first, your body heat will
gradually dry the sheet, and you will begin to sweat. Leave the wrap in
place to two hours after you start perspiring. Dr. Thomas suggests
using this treatment once a day until you no longer feel as intense a
craving for cigarettes.
Imagery
See yourself smoking. While you're doing it, do you perceive yourself as a
smoker? In your mind, continue to see yourself smoking, but say to yourself
'At this time, I have the habit of smoking, but I am not a smoker,' says
Dennis Gersten, M.D., a San Diego psychiatrist .... Now picture something
that is good for you that you desire tremendously. It could be health,
better looks or more control of your life. Focus on your desire. See
yourself as an incredibly healthy, beautiful or self-reliant nonsmoker. Let
that image overpower any desire that you have to smoke. Dr. Gersten
recommends using this imagery for 10 to 20 minutes twice a day.
Relaxation and Meditation
'Studies have shown that many smokers use tobacco to help them reduce
anxiety and tension. If you meditate, your mind learns another way to
counteract that anxiety, so you may become less reliant on cigarettes,'
says Dr. [Sundar] Ramaswami [a clinical psychologist]. ... Meditate for 20
minutes twice a day or for a few minutes whenever you feel the urge to
smoke, suggests Dr. Ramaswami.
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