What Are The Best Natural Remedies to Quit Smoking?

As more people become aware of the dangers tobacco products present to human health and the effects of smoking, the demand for smoking cessation aids continues to increase at a rapid pace. While many pharmaceutical remedies are effective, they can become rather expensive for those who are living on a budget.

Luckily there are some home remedies to quit smoking that may be done at home for little cost, often using items you already have, or ones you can find easily at the store.

quit smoking
Amirul Syaidi/Shutterstock

Table of contents

  1. How to Stop Smoking Naturally
  2. What Herbs Can Help You Stop Smoking?
  3. CBQ Method to Quit Smoking
  4. Lifestyle to Stop Smoking Naturally
  5. Home Remedies For Nicotine Detox
  6. Home Remedies For Nicotine Withdrawal
  7. Final Thoughts About Home Remedies To Quit Smoking
  8. What Are The Best Natural Remedies to Quit Smoking?

    Water

    Part of the reason that nicotine is so addictive and so hard to get rid of is that it permeates your body as a toxin. It gets into your system and is very hard to get out of. But water is a natural detoxifier. It will purge your system better than just about anything. And your body needs water to counteract many of the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine.

    The water helps you heal and it enables you to recover from smoking while you are trying to quit. As you abandon your regular smoking habits your body will heal on its own and start to detoxify, but water gives it an extra boost, and it speeds up the process, helping you fight your addictions that much more.

    Ginger

    As your try to quit, you will likely start to feel nauseous. This is one of the most common symptoms people experience when they try to quit. To combat that nausea, you can take ginger, either in tablets, capsules, or as a tea. It will calm your stomach and help you overcome nausea. And it might keep you from being tempted to go back to the cigarettes for relief.

    Vitamins

    As you fight the toxins in your body, you may feel like you need some help. Multivitamins, especially those containing Vitamins A, C, and E are excellent for repairing your body and giving it the essential nutrients it needs to expel toxins. What you are looking for as you combat your addiction is something that can ease the withdrawal symptoms and make you better able to handle your cravings. Vitamins reenergize your system and give you the strength to fight back.

    Ginseng

    If you want to combat the cravings specifically, then ginseng may be the key. You can use about a spoonful of ginseng powder and add it to your juices, cereal, oatmeal, or soup. It is best to take it during the morning. That way it can fight your cravings all day. If you find that it is not enough for your cravings, then you can increase your dosage or take it more frequently.

    You may already be taking ginseng if you take a multivitamin, so look at what your vitamins have to see if you really need to take ginseng in addition.

    Grape Juice

    The biggest part of conquering your addiction and the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal is to get the toxins out of your body. Nicotine is one of those toxins, and once it is out, you should not experience any more cravings or withdrawal symptoms.

    Increasing your water intake is a great way to do so, but you can fight even harder by drinking grape juice daily. The acids in the juice are natural detoxifiers and they will rejuvenate your system and cleanse out the toxins faster.

    It is the toxins that are causing you to feel cravings and that keep your energy levels down. By using detoxifiers you can boost your energy levels and start to feel better much faster.

    Aromatherapy

    Though essential oils are probably not going to help you kick the smoking habit, they can help you beat the stress that could end up putting a cigarette back into your hands. Oils from lavender, tea tree, and rosemary have been shown to increase mood scores and reduce stress in recent studies.

    Fruits and Vegetables

    The fiber in fruit and vegetables will make you feel full and for longer. Sometimes hunger can be mistaken for the urge to smoke. Cutting down hunger could lead to fewer cravings for a cigarette.

    Beans and grains are a great way to add a lot of filling fiber to your diet. Fruit like bananas and apples are very good to help keep you feeling full.

    how to quit smoking naturally
    Blueastro/Shutterstock

    Is acupuncture effective for smoking cessation?

    Acupuncture is the use of thin needles to improve the flow of energy to different parts of the body. The procedure is painless despite the fact needles are being inserted into the body. One study showed that acupuncture, when used with therapy, education, and moxibustion, was effective in helping people to quit naturally.

    Herbal Remedies to Quit Smoking

    Several studies show that using natural remedies to quit smoking may be effective:

    • Ginger may help alleviate nausea withdrawal symptoms, while oatmeal could help the body detoxify itself faster
    • A 2010 study showed that green tea could reduce cravings when used in cigarette filters.
    • Green tea can also reduce the risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The chances of developing COPD dropped 6 percent in those who drank it, according to a study. COPD is one of the risks of cigarette use.

    Some people believe lobelia and St. John’s wort work as natural aids to quit, but extensive research needs to be done on their effectiveness. Regardless, all of these natural remedies for nicotine withdrawal are widely available.

    What Is the CBQ Method for Quitting Smoking?

    CBQ stands for Cognitive Behavior Quitting and was developed by psychologist Nasia Davos. It is a four-stage quitting program that requires the participant to change the behavioral and cognitive patterns that cause smoking in the first place. According to the program’s website, participants have a 94 percent success rate.

    How to Change Your Lifestyle While Quitting Smoking

    Making serious lifestyle adjustments is likely the best home remedy to stopping smoking. Here are some tips to follow:

    • Change Your Diet: Increase fruit and vegetable consumption. Green and leafy vegetables like cabbage and lettuce are not only nutritious, but they are tasty and go well on the side with any meal.
    • Reduce Sugar: Sugar can increase blood acidity, which makes withdrawal symptoms more intense. Also, a high sugar diet can increase the risk of weight gain and diabetes.
    • Practice Meditation: Prayer and meditation can help a person refocus on quitting when withdrawals seem overwhelming.
    • Exercise: Many people smoke as a way to reduce stress. Exercise can also reduce stress while improving cardiovascular and skeletal-muscular health and fitness.

    Another critical thing to do is identify the things that cause cravings. These factors could be anything that causes stress. Find productive ways of dealing with them that do not involve smoking.

    Home Remedies to Detox Body Naturally From Nicotine

    While the concept of detoxifying your body using herbs and tonics is debatable, the body does do a good job of detoxifying itself. There are things you can do to help this process move along more swiftly.

    • Drinking enough water is one of the best ways to help your body detoxify itself. Your body is made mostly of water, and most people do not drink nearly enough. When you give up cigarettes, make sure you are drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water per day.
    • You can also drink half your body weight in ounces per day as well if that helps you remember more easily. For instance, if someone weighed 200 pounds, they would need to drink 100 ounces of water each day.
    • Limit your caffeine consumption as it can end up creating a toxicity that combined with nicotine withdrawals makes quitting even harder.Since metabolism slows when somebody quits, caffeine consumption during this period leads to a rise in caffeine levels.

    Natural Remedies for Nicotine Withdrawal

    The nicotine in tobacco products is what makes them so addicting. When you quit smoking cold turkey, you may suffer from some major nicotine withdrawal symptoms ranging from nausea to irritability to jitters.

    One way to ensure you don’t give in to the urge is to distract yourself from your cravings. This may mean something different for different people. For instance, you might engage in one of your favorite hobbies so as to not think about smoking.

    Some find success with chewing gum whenever they feel the urge to smoke. In some cases, the action of chewing on something, such as gum or food, eases the cravings.

    Closing Thoughts About Home Remedies to Quit Smoking

    Some smokers find that all they need is a little incentive to stop smoking. However, a smoker whose family member offered money for each day didn’t smoke a cigarette. For others, just thinking about what could be purchased using money formerly spent on cigarettes is enough to encourage them to quit.

    Make a list of some things you have wanted to purchase but haven’t. Determine how long you will have to go without smoking to save the money you need to make your purchase. Another incentive is taking a trip. Determine how many packs of cigarettes it will cost to take this trip, and begin right away. Having something to look forward to and having a more concrete goal just might make the process that much easier.

    Mail icon

    Enter your email, sign-up and start the 21 Day Quit-Smoking Challenge right now!

    * indicates required
Published: August 7, 2015 Updated: November 16, 2021



avatar
Best Alternative 8/10

0 Nicotine Vape Pen



Comments

Leave a comment

54 comments on “What Are The Best Natural Remedies to Quit Smoking?

  • Gopal Renwa

    August 28, 2018 at 1:24 pm

    any addiction that may be smoking or drinking takes 21 days to be addicted or to quit it….wanna quit hold urself hard with will and u can stop smoking try to suck ginger blocks dipped in lime…

  • T SHaun

    August 24, 2018 at 10:26 am

    HI im smoking from the past 13 years and im an Type 1 Diabetic Mellitus and im trying to quit smoking but im unable due to frusttration and more problems in life im an orphan

  • Stephanie Graham

    August 21, 2018 at 6:36 pm

    I won’t to quit going to stop using the tea and ginger thank u

  • delois Johnson

    August 5, 2018 at 5:48 pm

    Day 3 smoke free after, , 40 yrs I know I’m done prayer jin-sang water and Ginger I’m free !! It was embarrassing for me a granny lol I just thought I couldn’t but I can an you can too

    • Kay Murphy

      May 6, 2019 at 1:51 am

      How did you use the jinsing water and ginger
      PLEASE help.

  • Diana Davila

    July 25, 2018 at 7:03 pm

    I quit already I feel better I excited of not smoking anymore

  • Gilly

    July 18, 2018 at 3:51 pm

    Hi all. I’ve been smoking for smoking for about 25years. I’m just unable to quit.I’ve tried time and once again, but it wouldn’t work; so as to say. I am unemployed, I live alone, have very few friends. These factors make me sit down, smoke and think, though I do realize that this does not justify my smoking, however I seem to let my “pain” via the cigarette.

    I go out for long walks when the weather permits, and I do not smoke for two to three hours. Once I return home the “pain” and thoughts begin, together with smoking. At times I go to bed and keep tossing and turning so as not to keep smoking. (I do not smoke, eat or drink in my bed room).

    Anyone’s comments, suggestions, help would be highly appreciated.

    Thank you,
    Gilly

    • kyle

      September 13, 2018 at 8:49 am

      try putting a drop of approve lavender oil on your piillow before bed and your 2 drops on your hands rub your hands together and make sure it is rubbed in pillow the soothing smell has been known to calm people down and is natural muscle relaxant hope it helps btw do not use if allergic you may also need to dilute in a carrier oil or water as is very potent do not ingest

    • Atharv

      December 29, 2019 at 7:33 am

      Hey Gilly. I will recommend that you consult a hypnotherapist or NLP practitioner. you just need new friends, new job, new thought patterns, new belief system, new self-concept & not that cigarette anymore.

  • Betsy

    July 13, 2018 at 11:32 pm

    I drink water all day and take a multivitamin twice daily….so i imagine i would smoke more than the one pack a day that i do now. Reading through and realizing there are things I want to buy that I don’t bc of smoking makes ke think I am going to focus on that. I know if I keep myself busy, all of the sudden, I’m like, oh I smoke!. Then I’ll smoke. So I am going to try and stay busy, post visual reminders of things I want and start exercising more. Have a yoga mat I haven’t opened in 3 yrs lol. I started smoking in 2012 when my mom passed and my husband left us in a text message a month later. Soooo regret it!!!. I’m glad I came across this for inspiration. Thank you and I’ll let y’all know how it goes!!

  • Theresa Makovec

    July 4, 2018 at 9:23 am

    I smoke organic American spirits. Pricey but no gross chemicals in the tobacco. Prayer helps. Because of the price. Trying to quit for good. Please pray for me

  • Jack

    June 28, 2018 at 11:45 pm

    Hi all, I make a guide for myself:
    1. Before set your quit date, count your average cigarettes per day, which is 8 for me average a day.
    2. For my case, I assume every 3 hrs a cigarette, so start from tomorrow, I will do to reduce to 7 cigarettes a day with an interval of 3.5hours.
    3. Track your daily record, if you don’t smoke more than the record (7 cigarettes) reward yourself a small thing, I reward myself a 5 dollar everyday if i achieved my record.
    4. My interval last every 3 days, from 3.5 to 3.75 and to 4 hours interval. 3.5 hours = 3hour30min, 3.75 hours = 3hour45min. If you fail to follow your record, no reward for that day and not counted too.
    5. Every time the 1st digit increase by 1 interval, 1 cigarette will be reduce. I estimate every 12 days reduce cigarette by 1.
    6. If you set your fixed interval like mine, every 3 days, and estimated 12 days reduce by 1, then within 2 months time, you will totally be smoke free.

    For the first few week when you are craving for cigarette (Withdrawal symptom), even a puff, never and don’t do it.
    1. Reward yourself if you don’t smoke a cigarette throughout the entire day, 1 day = 1 package of the cigarette cost
    2. Drink a lot of water, playing games, hanging out, ask for distraction etc. I find myself best is to sleep, and playing games.

    You will see you saved a lot after you are totally a smoker free, good luck and you can do it to be smoker free, all the best!!!
    P/s: English is not my primary language.

    • Jenn

      December 27, 2019 at 9:06 am

      Very inspiring thank you

  • Verna

    June 28, 2018 at 6:30 am

    Its been 4 months now since I quit. The cravings at tumes is so hard. I use the patch. Pray for me.

    Im a non smoker

  • Ryannicholascharles

    June 23, 2018 at 8:02 pm

    Blue e cig is the best way to go

    • T

      July 1, 2018 at 9:50 pm

      Nah blue and that good

  • Ashish

    June 14, 2018 at 11:25 am

    Cut Ginger in small pieces (about the size of a pinch). Add rock salt and lime juice to it. Mix well and sun dry it. Once dried, keep it with you in a pouch or a small potable container. Keep few pieces in both throughout the day. Do not chew, just keep sucking on it all day. You may not have to deal with withdrawals at all. I tried this and it works.

    • Gezella Windvogel

      July 18, 2018 at 5:22 am

      how long for it to work Ashish

  • Shelley

    May 26, 2018 at 10:37 pm

    As long as you have the will to quit you can do it. Never give up keep trying. do whatever it takes. Home remedies, quit smoking aids. Whatever helps just do it.

  • Sowmya S

    May 12, 2018 at 4:39 am

    Hello, my guy is a hard core smoker from past 15 years. How do I help him also make him quit smoking. We are unable to lead a happy life because of it. I am worried about his health. Pls help me dealing it.

    • vijay

      May 30, 2018 at 10:18 pm

      TRY champix.Should be prescribed by a doctor.Helping me but still smoking…reduced from 25-30 to 6to7 a day..With champix on i dont feel the same hit I have now and slowly starting to dislike it.
      One most important thing on top of all is …”Willingness” to quit should come from your hubby.As a smoker I get upset when i am asked by some one to stop smoking.Heavy smokers only!! Yes finding hard but beliving myself i can do it.

  • zandile

    May 7, 2018 at 8:00 pm

    Comment…plz help want to quit smoking

  • Dana

    May 7, 2018 at 2:58 am

    BLOWING BUBBLES !!!!
    It makes you lightheaded and gives you that feeling of euphoria and stress relief.
    Your actually breathing like you would a cigarette, but instead of inhaling smoke, your inhaling fresh air. And instead of blowing smoke, your blowing bubbles. Instead of people around feeling sickened by your smoke and keeping children away from you, people will enjoy your bubbles and parents will be happy to have their kids popping your bubbles… it’s a win win win

  • Brenda

    May 3, 2018 at 8:06 am

    I used vaping to quit cigs cold turkey after smoking for 35 years, and it helped me tremendously. But 1 month later I had a massive right hemisphere stroke from all of the damage I’d already done by smoking.

  • Mira

    May 3, 2018 at 12:50 am

    Lord help me to quit… Lord please answer my prayer…

  • Malin Eklöf

    April 22, 2018 at 6:20 pm

    Thanks. Will try vaping some herbs instead of smoking. Also juicing has gotten me less keen on smoking. Good luck all of you wanting to quit!

  • Mary Tyler

    April 20, 2018 at 12:18 pm

    Thank you for the info home remedies work better any way. Going to start today, let’s pray and believe God he can make it happen.

    • Steven Mug

      May 15, 2018 at 12:12 am

      Thanks for the information I’ll try it out and see.

    • Aliabbas

      May 18, 2018 at 1:03 am

      Praying for you

  • Katherine

    March 25, 2018 at 9:33 pm

    Try to switch to a drastically different brand that taste bad to you. If you smoking common commercial brands try organic american spirit gold. It will taste odd yet has non of the chemicals which triggers your body to start removing chemicals from old brand yet you still get some nicotine. Key is the taste. If it tastes odd will be easier to get off of new cigarettes cold turkey. After switching to new brand you can try go cold turkey in 3-7 days. It works.

  • Brooke S

    March 20, 2018 at 10:43 pm

    I quit smoking after 33 years using a vape. I started out on 24 mg nicotine and have the shop dwindling down my nicotine mg with the placebo effect for me. I do not know how much nicotine they are putting in now, but I told them to tell me when I have been vaping at Zero Nicotine for one month. I am hoping that I am on the zero now – I feel better, smell better, and have a new outlook on things as well. It has been a hard bad habit to break – started smoking in 1985!!

  • Miss Sa

    March 13, 2018 at 7:43 pm

    Hi thank you for this home remedies I will definitely try them I hope they work for me.

  • Kenny

    March 10, 2018 at 9:05 pm

    Me too. Seem like the harder I try to quit the more I smoke

  • Inara

    March 4, 2018 at 10:37 pm

    I’m trying to help my mom quit smoking so thanks for these tips!

  • Sonya Parker

    February 26, 2018 at 6:29 am

    I want to quit so bad. I just found out that I have Severe Bronchitis and emphysema and willing to do just about anything. I hate Water But will make it my Best Friend. Have this worked for anyone? Please do share!

    • Christine

      July 19, 2018 at 12:11 pm

      Try using water enhancers (Country Time lemonade, Crystal Light water enhancers, etc.). I, like you, hate drinking water but it definitely helps with the water enhancers.

  • Regina

    February 22, 2018 at 11:13 pm

    The water really works.

  • Tilak

    January 13, 2018 at 9:40 am

    Thank for these information.i want quit smoke.

  • Lorraine Jeter

    January 4, 2018 at 5:14 pm

    Wil pray its not too late LOL

    • Troy Fields

      August 2, 2018 at 3:55 pm

      I want to stop

  • Nancy Myers

    December 30, 2017 at 11:23 pm

    I have to quit smoking now but I did it before and I did not do so good I have to safe money now it so much money I loss

  • Mizlovely

    December 27, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    wow… very good home remedy’s, didn’t know so many were in the home.. very good info.

    Thanks,

  • Jo ramos holmes

    December 22, 2017 at 11:18 am

    Fabulous information will give to my patient who smokes 3 packs of cigarettes a day.

    • USA need doctor

      June 3, 2018 at 7:59 am

      Hi Jo Ramos holmes

  • Camillya

    December 8, 2017 at 4:56 am

    Thank you. I’m going to attempt these remedies.

  • Kendra Griffin

    November 14, 2017 at 11:11 pm

    Thank you so much for the information. I really want to quit smoking so I’m going to give these remedies a try. Thank you again…

    • Gabriela

      July 23, 2018 at 6:34 pm

      I quit 15yrs ago. I was smoking 2 pks of Marlboro a day. I went to a group hypnotist that has o sessions at hotels. $50 1hr walked out of there n threw my ciggs away. Even though my husband smokes i never had the urge agsin.

  • Patricia A Kennedy

    October 29, 2017 at 6:01 am

    I want to quit so bad. I need a way.

    • Aman

      July 6, 2018 at 11:34 am

      Brother please set your mind your mind is a powerful herb

  • Simonette zulu

    September 19, 2017 at 12:35 am

    Will try it coz I really wants to quit ASAP

    • Zanele

      January 3, 2018 at 7:17 am

      hi Simonette Zulu, did you manage to quit smoking? please tell me how?
      I need help ASAP

      • Siya

        May 30, 2018 at 7:48 am

        To the remedies given you add something Powerful which is Prayer to the Most High God in the name of Jesus Christ to strength to overcome this is the way I deed it….

        • Ryan Hamilton

          July 26, 2018 at 5:08 pm

          Yes!!! ???

        • Tyran GORHAM

          September 27, 2018 at 11:22 am

          Absolutely The Most High is most definitely tantamount and Step 1. Fruits vegetables, preferably Aloe, Coconut, and Mango!!!!! It’s amazing!!!!