Herb for quitting smoking?

[tjporter]

Is there an herb that helps people quit smoking? My son is on an LDS mission and asked me to find out this question. He has an investigator that has a smoking hang up and wants to be baptized if she can quit.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

It so happens there is. 🙂

Lobelia inflata contains an alkaloid called lobeline that is chemically very similar to nicotine. It binds with the same nicotine receptors on the cell membrane and causes a dopamine release that makes you feel good.

However, the dopamine release response is much more gradual and diffuse than that of nicotine so the user doesn’t get the instant gratification that causes addiction. Lobeline also binds with the cells so they can’t bind with nicotine later. So, when the person smokes, they don’t get the positive feedback from it because the nicotine can’t bind with the cells.

Tea, tincure or capsules would be good delivery systems. Don’t over dose or you’ll learn why the common name for Lobelia is “Puke Weed”. :crazy:

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Christie Huskey, Carla Desmond

[IdahoHerbalist]

I find that 1 to 2 teaspoons works for my cranky muscles. Best to start low and work to the dose that works without the affect that Patrick mentions.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Carla Desmond

[alleycat]

Do you just use the herb as a tea or in a capsule?

[IdahoHerbalist]

You can use the herb in any way that you feel comfortable getting it into your body. The only caveat is that the herb must be available to the part that is affected. For example: Do not encapsulate an herb that is for your upper GI (mouth to stomach) as the gelatin is hiding the important stuff.

[alleycat]

Well, I know they should be used in any way that you feel comfortable getting it into your body. But in this particular case for this particular issue…..which is the best & most effective way to use/consume Lobelia? My Husband is a smoker a fellow Herbalist suggested he could smoke it to help with lung issues as well as consume it to help with the nicotine withdrawal. He’s interested in using the herb, just not in making homemade smokes. so for a big guy what would be the recommended option, at least to start with. He does drink tea (sun). I know for some to get the strongest or most potent form is usually tea or tincture. But I’m new to using herbs for such things, so that’s why I’m asking the ‘dumb question’…as I don’t think he’d appreciate my herbal ways if I made him sick while trying to finally quit smoking :crazy: :LOL:

I just like to have specific/certain ways to use something before I use it for the first time……killin’ off the only one working currently, wouldn’t be a good idea. 😀

[Michelle KochStudent]

In addition to replacing nicotine with herbs, it’s also helpful to replace the motion of smoking with an activity that keeps the hands busy, such as knitting or crocheting. My mother, who crochets constantly refers to her yarn bag as her “cigarettes,” lol. She expalins, ” just as expensive, but I have something to show for it instead of black lungs! “

If you don’t know how to knit or crochet, there are a lot of tutorials on the internet. It’s a very relaxing hobby.

[Michelle Mathis PattersonStudent]

This is so fascinating. I wish I had known about this years ago when I was trying to stop smoking.

[Author]

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