“Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.” – Hippocrates

The Core Plan to Prevent Chronic Diseases

Our main goal is to increase the number of Filipinos who are healthy at every stage of life- from conception to resurrection. Our strategy provides evidence-based recommendations fundamental to improving the nation’s health through the active engagement of all sectors of society to help achieve these goals. These evidence-based recommendations will reduce the burden of leading causes of preventable death and major illness. Here is the second of seven priority areas:

2 TOBACCO-FREE LIVING

Seven Most Effective and Natural Interventions to Quit Smoking:

(1) Detoxification: Nicotine and other chemicals (2) Foods to help you quit smoking (3) Herbs to overcome cravings and repair the lungs (4) Exercise for tobacco-free living (5) Complete hydration (6) Spirituality and smoking (7) Family and community support.

(3) Herbs to overcome cravings and repair the lungs

Herbs are considered to be food rather than medicine, and can be great additions to a stop smoking program. Herbs help the body detoxify, realign its defenses and heal without adverse effects. Certain herbs will decrease nicotine withdrawal symptoms, ease stress and anxiety, and regenerate the lungs and body.

• TURMERIC (Curcuma longa). One of the most powerful health-giving medicines on the planet and world’s most extensively researched spice, turmeric’s 5600 peer-reviewed and published medical studies was found to eliminate 3-8 times more carcinogens from smokers’ bodies and help offset changes in the lungs that eventually cause frequent shortness of breath. Turmeric is also correlated with 10% greater lung capacity in smokers and non-smokers alike. New research is finding that turmeric doesn’t just help fight cancer, enhance your immune system, and protect against heavy metals, it also alleviates cognitive disorders and increases DHA levels in the brain.

• GOTU COLA – This herb can reduce cravings and lessen or prevent nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It is not only confined for smoking cessation, but helps those withdrawing from other substances such as opium.

• CINNAMON – Simply inhaling deeply on a cinnamon stick mimics the deep drag on a flavorful cigarette. You can chew on a small cinnamon stick to curb your cravings.

• GINGER – This root is very good to curb all urges for smokers. Grinding one piece of ginger with a teaspoon of coco sugar or drinking ginger tea will help you forget about smoking. Ingesting pure ginger can support a plan to quit smoking, because of ginger’s warming and heating effect in the body that promotes perspiration. Sweating naturally eliminates toxins from the body and thus may help relieve some chemical load from the body as it detoxifies from cigarette addiction.

• ST. JOHN’S WORT: There is preclinical evidence that St. John’s wort is therapeutic in nicotine addiction. [Note: St. John’s wort can interact with a wide range of medications, and should be used under the guidance of a licensed health professional.] Considered to be one of the best herbal remedies to help stop smoking, this herb is a very powerful tonic to the nervous system. Commonly known to treat depression and anxiety, St. John’s wort will help calm and relax the mind, reduce agitation and maintain a positive mental attitude while quitting. St. John’s wort also helps expel excess mucous from the lungs and bronchial tracts, heal the lungs in cases of bronchitis, and help repair the lungs from damage caused by years of smoking. St. John’s wort is also a powerful blood purifier and cleanser, which will speed up elimination of toxins in the bloodstream left from smoking.

• PEPPERMINT – Many smokers experience nausea and even vomiting while quitting smoking due to nicotine withdrawals, which can be alleviated with peppermint tea. The volatile oil in peppermint acts as a mild anesthetic to the stomach wall, which helps alleviate feelings of nausea. Where headaches are associated with digestion, peppermint may help. Peppermint also eases anxiety and tension.

• KOREAN GINSENG (Panax ginseng) has adaptogenic properties, meaning that it helps the body deal with physical and emotional stress and restores balance. Ginseng reestablishes proper cortisol levels in the bloodstream, promotes overall health, and increases energy, endurance and stamina during the withdrawal period. Korean ginseng will help with the mental and emotional stresses of quitting as it sharpens concentration, improves mood and helps to lessen anxiety. Often used for breathing problems and asthma, Korean ginseng dilates constricted vessels in the lungs and rebuilds lung health. Studies for its effects on cancer prevention show it decreased likelihood of developing lung cancer, as well as other types of cancers, and may be beneficial if you are worried about the carcinogenic effects of a long-term smoking habit.

Cautions: Do not take ginseng for prolonged periods without a break. For example, alternate periods of a few weeks of taking ginseng with a few weeks of not taking ginseng. In this way, you will avoid side effects that may occur from taking ginseng for extended periods. If you have insomnia, do not take ginseng later than midday as it may interfere with sleep. Do not take ginseng if you have a heart condition, diabetes, auto-immune disease, bleeding disorder, schizophrenia or a hormone sensitive condition, because ginseng has various effects which can make these conditions worse. If you are on medication to prevent organ rejection after transplant, do not take ginseng as it can interfere with the medication. It is BEST to use this under the guidance of an integrative health professional.

Smoking drains the body of many essential vitamins and minerals, affecting our ability to absorb vital nutrients. Save your life and the lives of the people you love- give your body a fighting chance with some of nature’s most powerful herbs and botanicals!

Meanwhile, here is the Green Secret’s “C POWER” for powerful disease prevention antioxidants. (Make sure to wash all ingredients well before juicing). It is a MUST to use organic ingredients only.

• 1 cup fresh pineapple

• 1/3 cup green pepper

• 1/2 cup broccoli

• 1 cup sweet potato leaves or 3 stems malunggay

• 5 calamansi with peel

Juice all ingredients in your masticating juicer. Stir and enjoy!

There is nothing good about smoking. From disease and death to pollution on our planet, tobacco taints everything it touches. Together, let us reclaim our right to health and protect younger generations from losing their lives and future with every puff of smoke. Tobacco is on track to KILL one billion people, smokers and nonsmokers, this century. This year, we have a historic opportunity to change the future. Let us actively work together to make the next generation tobacco-free.I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on “Ask Dr. C at www.greensecret.com.ph” Our deepest gratitude to IAJ WELLNESS CORPORATION for making this information public. For more information or questions, email me at [email protected].

Christine E.V. Gonzalez is a doctor of naturopathic medicine and holds PhDs
in holistic nutrition and natural medicine. LLM (MS Environmental Laws & Labor)
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