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I'm 22 and I've been smoking for... about six years now. I just quit and my throat hurts and my lungs feel constricted. Is there any herb, tea, or food that will help my lungs clean out and take the edge off some of my cravings?
I've read that oatstraw helps, but I've never tried it. I used Chantix, but it has side effects that totally suck. I recently had a smoking relapse, and I'm thinking about hypnosis. Anyway, anything that is good for phlegm or anything like that should help you. Things like peppermint tea, or Yogi detox tea. Keep hydrated, because it will help get the crap out of your system quicker.
Peppermint is a good suggeston.
I've heard an herb called lobelia helps, as well as kava, ginseng, and chamomile.
Also citrus apparently helps.
@Sarah: I tried hypnosis actually. Didn't really do the trick for me. But I also didn't do the tape following the session everyday.
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) actually does help me though.
I quit smoking one month ago, I have been an off and on smoker for 22 years. The best advice I got this time was from a Mormon friend who said that when someone wants to join the Mormon church they have to quit smoking. They tell them to drink lots of tomato juice. I don't know why it works but it does. I drank a whole heck of a lot of tomato juice for a week. Also, quit cold turkey rather than using nicotine replacements. It takes 72 hours before nicotine is out of your system. If you use the replacements you are only delaying the withdrawl...one day at a time!
Drink plenty of water; it will help to loosen the stuff in your lungs so you can cough it up. I quit 20 years ago last month, I did it cold turkey. For me the fourth day was the hardest, and by two weeks I was fine. Good luck to you, it is hard but soooo worth it to stick it out!
I agree with Tina that the 4th day is the hardest. I quit 3 years ago at pretty much the same age.length of time smoking. Drink lots of fluids in general to help detox but especially to give yourself another ritual and all that. Juice or tea are great if you enjoy having them. Brew a cup of tea and go sit outside and chill with it. You can do it!
I actually disagree that you shouldn't quit without nicotine replacement therapy. I have been a smoker myself, attempted to quit numerous times, and was only able to successfully with the patch. As someone who shies away from pills and chemicals, it was difficult for me to use it, but it saved my quit.
Every quit is different. You should visit quitnet.com, I love it. Also yes, it does take only a short amount of time for nicotine to leave your body but it takes MUCH longer for the chemicals in your brain to balance themselves and for you to mentally heal as well. NRTs are a safe way to go and effective. So is cold turkey. Choose what's best for you! :) Also, I'm Landree but had to change my profile, so the above herbal suggestions I offered I definitely still stand by:).
I never used any replacement, (I'm also 22 and had been smoking for eight years..eek sounds worse on paper!!!) the thing is some people can just quit and others need help in the form of replacements. I don't judge, it's personal preference. In all honesty I started to drink a lot of juice, apple and tomato (not mixed together - that would be gross..) I also still drink a ton of green tea...seriously a gallon...it helps a lot.
I found that after a while my body just didn't want the nasty chemicals and smoking just made me feel sick. Good luck xoxo
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