Smokable Herbs for Tobacco Addiction

Smoking is a serious health and financial burden for many people. It is also notoriously difficult to overcome. Herbal support can be used to help navigate cravings and the symptoms of withdrawal.

Below: Mullein (Verbascum thapsis)

While it may seem counter intuitive, some herbs are actually healing to the lungs when smoked. In fact, many cultures have used smoke as an effective method of delivering medicine to the lungs, including the Romans, Celts, Greeks, Nordic, Iranian and Native American tribes. Copper smoking pipes have been dated back to around 2000BC in Egypt.

Hippocrates, the 'Father of Medicine', prescribed "smoking herbs in a pipe" to treat female maladies.

Herbal Medicine can be used in various forms to support tobacco withdrawal, including inducing relaxation, restful sleep, detoxification, enhancing mood and influencing neurotransmitters to reduce cravings.

Herbal Helpers and their Actions

Mullein (Verbascum thapsis), can be used to help clear mucous from the lungs. Considered a weed by many, I am lucky enough to have this versatile and powerful herb growing wild along the roadsides in my area. It possesses demulcent and emollient (softens the tissues), antiviral, antibacterial, anthelmintic (expels worms) and anti-tumour actions, and can be used to treat bronchitis and asthma among other respiratory conditions. Historically, it was also used to make candlewicks to case out evil spirits!

Mullein can be used as a tincture, drunk as a tea or smoked.

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata), was used by Native Americans as a treatment for asthma. The active constituent lobeline, is thought to inhibit the release of dopamine (the neurotransmitter associated with addiction) when tobacco is smoked, thereby reducing it's addictiveness! For this reason, it was used in anti smoking products until it was banned by the FDA in America in 1993. Lobelia is a restricted herb in Australia.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), like Lobelia, affects the same receptors in the brain as Tobacco, thereby reducing the craving for it. It possesses anti-tussive (suppresses cough) and anti asthmatic activity, and has been clinically shown to prevent some of the nicotine withdrawal effects. Passionflower is anxioyltic and sedative, and works synergistically with St John's Wort to enhance it's antidepressant activity. It can be used as a tea, tincture or smoked.

Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca), as it's botanical name suggests, is best known for it's aphrodisiac action. It is also an anti depressant, and a tonic for stress and fatigue. It is relaxing and mood-enhancing. It can be used as a tincture, tea or smoked.

Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris) has a long history of spiritual and medicinal use. It is used in Moxibustion as part of acupuncture treatments, can be used to flavour food, beer and other drinks, as a spice, or as a smoking herb. Another interesting fact about this intriguing herb is that it is related to Wormwood, the herb used to make Absinthe, and not surprisingly, is known for inducing strange dreams! It was once referred to as ‘Sailor’s Tobacco’, as Sailor's would use it a a Tobacco alternative when they docked after long periods at sea.. used for relaxation or to cleanse the liver.

Californian Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a satisfying and relaxing alternative to Tobacco. As well as its sedative and hypnotic effects, this relative of the infamous Opium Poppy is a muscle relaxant. I have used this herb successfully for years to help people withdraw from pharmaceutical antidepressant and anti anxiety medications. It is a true blessing on the plant world! It can be used as a tea, tincture or dried herb for smoking.

Hops Flower (Humulus lupus), is best known for adding the bitter taste to beer, but it has been used by various cultures as a nerve tonic since ancient times. A powerful nervine, it helps to treat insomnia, restlessness, irritability and other nervous afflictions.

Hopes should not be used in cases of clinical depression or oestrogen dominance. The dried herb as many uses including being used in baking, tea, in a sleep pillow, smoked, or as a tincture.

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a relaxing nervine herb which is well suited to those experiencing sensory overload. It therefore lends itself well to Tobacco withdrawal. As a hypnotic sedative it also supports sleep, particularly in times of stress. Popular as tea or tincture, but also a smokable herb.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a culinary, medicinal and smokable herb. As a therapeutic plant, it is used for inducing a sense of relaxation, to reduce nervousness, stress and to help aid sleep. As it's name suggests, this herb is popular among cat owners as can induce a euphoric effect in cats when they smell it. I have seen lots of videos online to suggest this is true, but it has ever had this effect on my cats, so I will continue to focus on it's human benefits!

References

Braun & Cohen, 2015, Herbs and Natural Supplements, An Evidence Based Guide, Volume 2, Passionflower, pp 729-732

Braun & Cohen, 2015, Herbs and Natural Supplements, An Evidence Based Guide, Volume 2, pp 695-697

Braun & Cohen, Herbs and Natural Supplements, An Evidence Based Guide, Volume 2 - Ginseng - Korean, pp 439 - 457

Easley & Horne, 2016, The Modern Herbal Dispensatory, Mullein, p 270

Easley & Horne, 2016, The Modern Herbal Dispensatory, Damiana, p 221

Braun & Cohen, Herbs and Natural Supplements, An Evidence Based Guide, Volume 2 - Damiana, pp 270-271

Braun & Cohen, Herbs and Natural Supplements, An Evidence Based Guide, Volume 2 - Hops, pp 560-565

Easley & Horne, 2016, The Modern Herbal Dispensatory, Hops, pp 247-248

Easley & Horne, 2016, The Modern Herbal Dispensatory, Californian Poppy, pp 201-202

Easley & Horne, 2016, The Modern Herbal Dispensatory, Scullcap, p 301

Easley & Horne, 2016, The Modern Herbal Dispensatory, Catnip, p 206

https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/lobelia