Smoking Cessation

November 22, 2003

At 03:37 AM 11/22/03, you wrote:

>So, other than rose, are there any eo's in particular that might be

>helpful? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

In addition to what's aready been suggested...there is a study by Jeanne

Rose that was published ... somewhere...I think a medline search will bring

it up... showing that black pepper eo was 'more effective than a placebo "

personally, I used the patch...

NOT an aromatherapy solution....but it seems to have worked.... after more

than 40 years of smoking I've been able to stay smokefree since the end of

February.

Your source for superb Essential Oils, Aromatherapy

Accessories, Information, Books and more!

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November 22, 2003

Marge,

Good for you! Which patch did you use? My DIL is trying to quit .

Sandi

November 23, 2003

> personally, I used the patch...

>

Me, too, and I've been smoke-free for three and a half years. Don't

think brands matter, but rather, the strength. I think they come in

three levels. The most potent was waaaaay too strong for me, and I

was a 1-pack-a-day smoker. You can tell if it's too strong because

you'll get dizzy, sick to your stomach, and possibly have nightmares.

Also, you MUST pay attention to the warning about not smoking at all

once you go on the patch. Smoking on the patch can cause a stroke.

That was enough incentive to keep me off the cigarettes!

If I were to do it over, knowing what I know now about AT, I'd

supplement the patch with a blend that helps prevent--or relieve--

anxiety. That was my biggest issue during withdrawal.

Linda

http://www.naturalhabitante.com

November 23, 2003

personally, I used the patch...

Me, too, and I've been smoke-free for three and a half years.

I tried the patch. I tried hypnosis. I tried everything. Nothing worked. Then

one of my best friends quit cold-turkey (and her with two preteens and a husband

who smokes a lot and was no support) so I figured if she could ... so could I...

so I quit to show my support of her... and I dont DARE go back to smoking cause

she is depending on me. (Talk about guilt trips! LOL) I have been quit for 7

months and counting.

BTW I smoked for 50 years... sometimes 4 packs a day. Arrrrrugh! And now I have

more money to buy soapie stuff. Yippee!!!

Hugs

Neysa

November 23, 2003

Good luck to all the smokers trying to quit. I smoked once upon a time

ago and I personally found the only way I could quit was to go cold

turkey. Must be in the genes cause both of my Grandma who smoked for 40

yrs each quit cold turkey and my mom who smoked for a long time, then

quit for over a decade and picked it up again recently quit again (cause

she couldn't breathe right anymore!) quit cold turkey. My aunt quit cold

turkey and when my dad quit he did it that way too. Now to get my hubby

to quit .. he was supposed to right after the move .. well its a month

later now ... ;-p I bug him constantly about it He's not allowed to

smoke in the house or let the kids see him smoke, but that's not the

point.

I had a friend some time ago who quit and used licorice roots to chew on

whenever he had the desire to smoke. That helped him do it.

Whatever your method - may you have the best of luck - it is rough, as

those enjoyable but bad habits are always the hardest to break, but know

that you can do it! I'm rooting for ya!

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

November 23, 2003

> personally, I used the patch...

>

I really believe until you make up you mind that you want to quit. Then you

will.

My sister decided with the price increase a few years ago, plus she coughed all

the time, she was going to stop.

She shocked me when she told me she had stopped. She is 7 years older then me,

only at the time she quit had smoked a year longer then me.

I don't want to quit, I enjoy my cigarettes. My own Dr of many years was

shocked several years ago. I thought he was checking my heart, I was getting

worried.

He has been our Dr for 24 years. After he was done checking, I'm thing he has

some new heart test I will have to take. Instead he looks me in the eye, and

says " If I didn't know you better, I would swear you have the lungs of a non

smoker. "

Another Dr I got to for yearly test said the same thing.

I even enjoy a good cigar now and then. LOL Not in public. People would think

I was nuttier then I am.

Nancy

scents1

November 23, 2003

I work in 2 hospitals and an RN I know who is a smoker, has been for years, was

having back pain. They treated her for various things, sprain and the like.

After it was not getting better, they finally did testing. Turns out she had a

neoplasm in her kidneys. It is secondary to the primary neoplasm they found in

her lungs AFTER they found they neo in the kidney. Her lungs never manifested

any symptoms. She had the kidney removed, her dx is eminent. When she quit

the hospital, they were offering her no hope of getting to watch her beautiful

grandbaby grow up...possibly even reach another year old. And it all could have

been prevented.

Shelley

November 23, 2003

> I tried the patch. I tried hypnosis. I tried everything. Nothing

worked...

> I have been quit for 7 months and counting.

> BTW I smoked for 50 years... sometimes 4 packs a day.

Neysa, Congratulations! 4 packs, 50 years? I am so impressed.

That's an incredible achievement. It's so hard. With me, I knew from

previous failures that my weakest moment was around the one-year

mark. I realized finally that I can never consider myself " cured. "

Like any other addiction, the desire to smoke is always lurking

nearby, waiting for an opportunity to get hold of you again. Like an

enemy. And it's easier to defeat an enemy when you know it's there

and and you respect its power. So don't let down your guard. Stay

strong...

Linda

November 23, 2003

Neysa, Congratulations! 4 packs, 50 years? I am so impressed.

That's an incredible achievement.

Thanks. I think I was finally ready to give it up. Of course, I still think

about smoking and reach for one at times... but I know if I have " just one " I am

hooked again!

It's so hard. With me, I knew from

previous failures that my weakest moment was around the one-year

mark.

Yes I had quit for a year once and went back.

I realized finally that I can never consider myself " cured. "

Like any other addiction, the desire to smoke is always lurking

nearby, waiting for an opportunity to get hold of you again. Like an

enemy. And it's easier to defeat an enemy when you know it's there

and and you respect its power. So don't let down your guard. Stay

strong...

Yes Linda it is always there... lurking and wanting power over you. I believe it

is as bad an addiction as alcohol or anything else. I am getting better about it

though but realize I will never be cured.... it will be something I have to be

aware of all my life.

Thanks for your kind and wise words!

Hugs

Neysa

April 25, 2004

Depends on your approach.

If by auriculotherapy, daily for 5 days with a gap for 2; repeat for 4

weeks and reassess.

Dr. Holmes Keikobad

MB BS DPH Ret. DIP AC NCCAOM LIC AC CO & AZ

www.acu-free.com - 15 CEUS by video.

NCCAOM reviewed. Approved in CA & most states.

April 25, 2004

For addiction interruption, as frequent treatment as possible is best. That

could mean every day. I sometimes give a set fee for the week that is less

than 6 or 7 treatments would cost, demand payment up front, then schedule

the appts., advising the fee is non-refundable for missed appts. Some acus i

know insist that this is the only effective schedule.

Of course, it goes without saying that everyone enters this process at a

different point. They can be helped with dietary advice; I often use this

time to encourage people to go for a more total " detox " if they are

sufficiently motivated. The 'spiritual' aura of the transformation endeavor

should not be downplayed, but injected into the process, without

force-feeding. That said, some can benefit by 3x/wk, with ear tack needles

used b/w Txs. The Stop Smoking Tea available in most Chinatowns and thru ITM

is effective for some and quite cheap. Smoking affects people on many levels

and therapeutic intervention can thus be many-sided, with herbal

formulas(such as Health Concerns' Clear Air) added to deal with phlegm. I

usually advise frequent consumption of fruit, if tolerated, to alkalize the

system. Also Vit. C. New suggestions can be added from your bag of tricks

if/when the patient seems to plateau or loose resolve.

I have seen there is no hard and fast rule about frequency here, but

starting out encouraging frequency for the 1st 2 weeks seems to be the best

way to go. This is the time needed for some to wean them off the hope of

silver bullet magic and fill the gap left...with exercise, meditation,

flute playing.......

Ann

> Dear group,

>

> Does anyone have a suggestion for how often to treat for smoking

cessation.

> I was thinking three times a week, but I would appreciate some feedback on

> this topic. Thanks.

> Diane Bryson

>

> >

April 26, 2004

Hi Holmes,

> ... auriculotherapy, daily for 5 days with a gap for 2; repeat for

> 4 weeks and reassess.

c. 20 sessions in 4 weeks? Why not use a single session with ear

seeds or semi-permanent needles and ask the patient to massage

the needles 1-2 times daily?

May I ask you what the success rate (% of patients that have

smoked no cigarettes since the start) at 5 weeks, 6 months and 1

year after the start?

About 25 years ago, I used ear-AP in c. 1000 smokers who wanted

to quit. I used a single session with stick-on ear needles (mainly

Ear Shenmen + Ear LU points on the ear least slept on) as part of

a programme.

The programme taught basic visualisation, positive thinking, self-

hypnosis, tips on breaking connections between activities and

smoking, etc. Overall success rates were moderate: only 55% at 5

weeks, circa 40% at 6 months, and (but I have no data), probably

much less at 1 year. Also, those who quit gained weight in the

first 5 weeks.

I am a heavy pipe-smoker and I rarely " treat " smoking addiction

today. IMO, strong motivation to quit is crucial. People with

dangerous medical conditions (heart attacks / strokes / severe LU

problems, etc) usuallly have the best motivation and do best with

the programme.

Best regards,

Email: <

WORK : Teagasc Research Management, Sandymount Ave., Dublin 4, Ireland

Mobile: 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

HOME : 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Tel : 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

WWW : http://homepage.eircom.net/~progers/searchap.htm

May 1, 2004

Hi, This is for the person who wrote asking about smoking cessation. I got

it off of gancao.net, and I think its very good.

Laura

Stop Smoking Support Program

by By Leah Martino, OMD, L.Ac.

Homepage

Acupuncture Index

After setting the appointment for my first smoking treatment as a new

practitioner 12 years ago. I looked up the protocol. Only one paragraph

outlined the treatment points and frequency of treatment. End of subject.

Sound familiar?

I administered the auricular treatment, sent the patient home and hoped for

the best. There were times when this treatment worked. However, my results

over time didn't equal my expectations. It wasn't until I learned that

acupuncture only reduces nicotine cravings that I realized I didn't really

understand the role of acupuncture and hadn't been coaching my patients

properly.

Later I received an announcement from James S. Olms, M.D., regarding the

discovery of a new point, Tim Mee and the resulting successes for patients

trying to stop smoking.

Adding that point to my protocol showed promise. Over the years I continued

to gather information about smoking. Through trial and error I gained

further insight and developed a comprehensive stop-smoking program that

gives effective and lasting results. There are numerous smoking-cessation

point formulas, all of which can be quite effective. But there is no " magic

bullet " treatment that can make the detox experience disappear. A successful

acupuncture program requires proper case management which includes patient

preparation, patient commitment, and education about what acupuncture will

and will not do.

There are five steps to the stop-smoking program I developed:

telephone consultation;

patient information;

acupuncture treatment;

herbal treatment; and

maintenance.

TELEPHONE CONSULTATION

The telephone consultation is important, so your office staff needs to be

properly trained. Along with the fear of quitting smoking and the fear of

acupuncture in general, it takes lots of courage for a person to make the

call. This is a time you can offer hope and encouragement. You can also weed

out those who are not yet ready to quit.

Speak personally to the person who wants to quit smoking. Explain that

acupuncture is an effective tool to enable one to quit smoking by minimizing

cravings, calming the nervous system and strengthening will power.

Acupuncture can only work if the person is ready to quit and willing to

commit to the process. I always mention that I've helped many people

successfully quit smoking.

Explain what people can expect acupuncture to do for them. Acupuncture

intercepts messages sent by the brain to the body that demand more nicotine,

thereby disrupting the addictive process. It can eliminate most cravings,

but not the habit. Generally the treatment reduces cravings from 20 plus to

only 3-5 a day. The person's responsibility is to make it through those few

cravings, which you will discuss in greater detail at the initial

appointment

Outline your treatment program - how many visits, how often, cost, etc. Ask

if the person is ready to quit now and would like to set an appointment.

Set a morning appointment when possible. Acupuncture works best if the

person is in detox. Instruct the client to refrain from smoking upon

awakening, or for at least five hours before the treatment.

PATIENT INFORMATION HANDOUT

At the initial office visit I give a handout to the patient with the

following instructions:

Support Person - The decision to stop smoking can elicit uncomfortable

emotions. Ask someone who is available to you in the next few weeks to act

as a sounding board and provide encouragement when needed.

Affirmation - An affirmation is a positive statement repeated often to

create desired changes in your life. Repeating the affirmation helps not

only to remind you why you are no longer smoking but imprints a new image of

health so that the body can then produce health. Examples: " I am a

non-smoker. I make healthy choices in my life. "

Setting Boundaries - Set up contracts with other smokers to refrain from

smoking in your presence. This includes spouses. When possible stay away

from smokers until you feel more confident with your nonsmoking health

status.

Drink water - Research shows that dryness causes cravings. Sip water

frequently throughout the day.

Refrain from drinking coffee - Research shows that coffee causes cravings

and dehydrates the body.

Food choices - Eat a lot of carrots. celery and other vegetables throughout

the next few days. Candies upset blood sugar level, which can aggravate

smoking-withdrawal symptoms. Sugar substitutes such as NutraSweet are

sweeter than sugar and cause further sugar cravings.

Managing cravings - Cravings feel like they will last forever but actually

fade in two minutes. Plan what you will do during a craving. Examples: Take

your herbs; repeat your affirmation; breathe deeply; walk to another place;

sing a song; dance; call your support person.

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT

During the initial treatment instruct patients to refrain from smoking or

having any cigarettes in their possession. If they make it through the next

24 hours smoke-free, they have a 90% chance of being successful. I give four

treatments total, two the first week, two days apart, and two follow-up

appointments a week apart. I've tried many ear points and find the following

points work best:

Ear points:

Shenmen-alleviates tension

Kidney- increases will power

Master Point Zero (Nogier system) returns the body to homeostatic balance

Lung 1 or 2 - relieves withdrawal symptoms

Hunger - Diminishes appetite and cravings.

Body points:

Tim Mee-located at the level of Lung 7, proximal to L.I. 5 in a depression

between the tendons that make up the anatomical snuffbox. Perpendicular

needle insertion.

LI 4 (Hegu) - pacifies spirit, regulates chi and blood.

Treatment Method:

Treat ear and body points on one side only, alternating sides with each

visit. Using electrical stimulation, connect a positive (red) clip to ear

Shen Men and negative (black) clip to hand Tim Mee, and positive (red) clip

to hand LI-4 and negative (black) to ear Lung 1 or 2 using 10 Hz for 40-45

minutes. After removing the needles, apply either ear press needles or

silver magrain pellets to the ear points.

HERBS

There are three areas to address for herbal support:

Lung yin tonic. Remember that dryness causes cravings.

Liver Qi stagnation.

Craving Support.

Any quality herbal products can be used. I use Seven Forest Lily 14 by ITM,

similar to Ophiopogon Combination, for lung yin support. Although clients

don't feel a direct effect from Lily 14, when I added it to my treatment,

they reported a feeling of sustenance and " not running on empty. " I

recommend a second bottle and many people continue taking it for months.

Other formulas may be indicated if there is lung disease.

Ardisia 16 (Seven Forest by ITM), similar to Bupleurum Dragon Bone, helps

relieve irritability and anxiety associated with detox. I instruct the

client to take it three times a day for two days, then on an as-needed

basis. Many people use this formula to help them through stressful

situations. I believe it helps minimize relapse.

Allertox Tobacco by Apex Energetics, is a homeopathic remedy which relieves

tobacco cravings. Any homeopathic formulas for smoking cessation could be

helpful. I haven't used Chinese smelling herbs, but they would probably

serve the same purpose.

MAINTENANCE

After the initial four treatments, the focus becomes wellness, so

differential diagnosis and constitutional work is appropriate. I recommend

monthly treatments for four to six months. I usually include auricular

points in the treatment since patients generally look forward to the

treatment that gave them results.

RECIDIVISM

No one expects a person to quit drinking alcohol by attending a few AA

meetings. Quitting smoking is only the tip of the iceberg.

There are a lot of triggers that can cause relapse. Cigarettes can act as a

shield to insulate uncomfortable feelings and situations. A new nonsmoker

can feel vulnerable and confused when trying to handle a stressful

situation. Monthly treatments provide support and bring the person back into

harmony. It is not our job to provide therapy. However, we can help the

client clarify feelings. If a person " slips " and smokes, question what was

really at issue, and how could the person handle it differently. Relapse is

often part of the process.

It is important to change the negative, failure concept in assessing what

happened and how the person can use the experience to prevent the situation

from occurring again. Encourage people to call immediately if necessary to

get back on track. People sometimes request to try quitting wit fewer

sessions, or without herbs. I remember Iris Gold's words of wisdom in her

practice building seminar, " This is the way I work. " I tell people, " If you

follow my program you will be successful. " Compromise is rarely effective.

I built some of my practice around my smoking program. I find this work to

be very rewarding and beneficial for future referrals. Smoking treatments

are an effective way to increase credibility of our profession and to help

mainstream acupuncture into modern health care.

_______________

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August 29, 2006

Karen,

Try Amethyst... it is the stone for release of addictions.

Also.. hematite or black tourmaline for grounding... I know many people

smoke to get themselves grounded....

In gratitude,

John Van Rees

http://www.exquisitecrystals.com

At 06:14 AM 8/29/2006, you wrote:

>Hello! Could someone tell me what a good companion stone/crystal would

>be for me to carry to help me with my quitting smoking? I have most

>of the basic/common ones. I appreciate any advice I can get.

>Thank you!

>Karen

>

August 29, 2006

Hi there,

Two thoughts come to mind with lung healing. First Darius Dinshah, the father

of Chromo-Therapy, colocr healing, always recommends orange for lucg

building...to strengthen the lungs...so in that I usually recommend

carnelian..as it also is of the crystal family. Crystals are always silicon

compounds and therefore are good for structural rebuilding of the outer cells.

The iron content of carnelian, which is what gives it it's color, is the carrier

of the oxygen forces...therefore breath.

Secondly, if there is an infection needing to be healed in the lungs...I would

recommend any stone with a high chlorine content such as moss agate, stones with

chlorine inclusions (green) and even sodalite.

The other thing I would do is increase your chlorophyll content...the highest

source of oxygen in food. In my experience I have found the company called

Wachters Organic Sea Vegetation in Daley City Ca produces a liquied chlorophyll

product that is 26 times higher in chlorophyll that products on the market. I

would take it daily. Mention my name.

Congrats on stopping smoking,

Dawn Silver

Jewels of the Lotus Tibetan Gemstone Oracle

LYN KNAPTON <lynknapton wrote:

Hi Karen,

Just consulted " Crystal Prescriptions " by Judy Hall & she is recommneding:

" Hematite/Peridot- wear constantly-dowse for underlying cause and treat

accordingly.

Affecting lungs: Blue Chalcedony

Giving up: Brown Jasper "

Hope this helps & good luck, Lyn

Karen <flowerchild5252 wrote:

Hello! Could someone tell me what a good companion stone/crystal would

be for me to carry to help me with my quitting smoking? I have most

of the basic/common ones. I appreciate any advice I can get.

Thank you!

Karen

September 1, 2006

Hi, I heard someong gave up smoking in a week using thought field therapy

_http://www.thoughtfieldtherapy.net/try_tft.html_

(http://www.thoughtfieldtherapy.net/try_tft.html)

Anne in Scotland

April 14, 2009

I have been getting a rash of calls about this because I think another

practitioner advertised for this with weight loss and facials.

I would love to help people quit smoking - I live in Port Tobacco, for goodness

sake.Â Yes it is over 200 yrs old with tobacco barns still standing.

Now, I went to a workshop years ago where the practiitoner had a 10 week program

with a manual.Â She was quite confident, but I was not.

Recently I have had two people quit smoking who have been smoking for 50 years -

yes I am in Port Tobacco.Â Now they came to that by being in treatment with me

for other things andÂ took that decision upon themselves. Â I coached them with

words and detox ear needles. I have told the prospective clients this and they

seem to want a quick fix, maybe a program with success rates?

So my question is:Â does anyone have a magic plan.Â The people calling me seem

to know someone who got the magic quickly.

Does anyone have a protocol AND more importantly, how do you talk to the patient

about this.Â How do you hold it?

Thanks,

Anne

April 14, 2009

Hi Anne,

The federal government recently increased the taxes on cigarettes dramatically.

Lots of smokers are now fed up and want to quit smoking. I've also been getting

more inquiries about treatments for smoking cessation in the last couple of

weeks, and I believe it's because of this new tax.

I've heard lots of different approaches for working with this. One practitioner

in town here offers a package deal - a certain # of treatments plus herbs, plus

you can call her anytime 'round the clock for emotional support during the first

2 weeks, as much as you need. I think that's pretty nuts.

I've also heard of practitioners who offer smoking cessation programs for free,

as a way of bringing in clients who may become future ongoing patients. Sort of

a community service approach and promo rolled into one.

My approach is a little different, borne out of my personal experience with

addiction. I do offer a package of treatments for a set fee, and make herbs

available if they want them, but I also offer information about a variety of

other support programs available to them. The county health department runs a

free smoking cessation program for support, free nicotine patches, and education

about making different (healthy) behavior choices. There is a local Nicotine

Anonymous 12-step group. I provide this information with the idea that folks

are more likely to be successful with more support rather than less - and I want

to encourage them to have a broad base of support, rather than to depend

entirely on me. I think that sets the stage for ongoing success.

I do encourage them to focus on their reasons for quitting, and to create an

incentive (reward) for themselves for doing so. For one woman, this was a new,

expensive Stetson cowboy hat every year - which cost less than she would've

spent on the cigarettes. For another, it was new carpet. I also encourage

them to create a list of satisfying alternative things to do, for those moments

when they would reach for a cigarette.

Some folks bristle at the word " quitting " , equating it with calling themselves

quitters. Interestingly, I learned this from staunch feminists, the " never say

die " types. It is easy to say " stopping " instead. " Cessation " is too technical

a term for most folks, if they even know what it means at all. Plus, it sounds

like an uncomfortable medical procedure.

Many potential quitters are concerned about subsequent weight gain. This occurs

for 2 reasons, I believe - one, it is common to substitute eating for smoking,

and two, nicotine is a stimulant, and its absence can result in a slower

metabolism. I address this at our initial meeting, and ask them how they want

to handle this: we can either wait a bit until they get a handle on being a

non-smoker (to prevent overwhelm from doing too much at once), or add some

simple support from the get-go, like taking digestive enzymes.

I do 10 NADA treatments, at the rate of 3x per week until done, and I offer the

series at a discounted rate from what I usually charge. I have never had anyone

need to repeat this course of treatment, and none have opted for the herbs

either. Rather than asking about how many cigarette they are smoking, I ask how

they are feeling about quitting and how it is going - I want to avoid potential

authority issues that may arise with them feeling they have to account to me

about their success. I have had patients lose a significant amount of weight in

a short time,just taking the digestive enzymes. When staying off the cigarettes

is difficult, it is satisfying for them to see some proof that something is

improving.

I hope this helps.

Andrea Beth

Traditional Oriental Medicine

Happy Hours in the CALM Center

635 S. 10th St.

Cottonwood, AZ 86326

(928) 274-1373

--- On Tue, 4/14/09, Anne Crowley <anne.crowley wrote:

Anne Crowley <anne.crowley

Re: Smoking Cessation

" Traditional "

Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 5:45 AM

I have been getting a rash of calls about this because I think another

practitioner advertised for this with weight loss and facials.

I would love to help people quit smoking - I live in Port Tobacco, for goodness

sake. Yes it is over 200 yrs old with tobacco barns still standing.

Now, I went to a workshop years ago where the practiitoner had a 10 week program

with a manual. She was quite confident, but I was not.

Recently I have had two people quit smoking who have been smoking for 50 years -

yes I am in Port Tobacco. Now they came to that by being in treatment with me

for other things and took that decision upon themselves. I coached them with

words and detox ear needles. I have told the prospective clients this and they

seem to want a quick fix, maybe a program with success rates?

So my question is: does anyone have a magic plan. The people calling me seem

to know someone who got the magic quickly.

Does anyone have a protocol AND more importantly, how do you talk to the patient

about this. How do you hold it?

Thanks,

Anne

April 14, 2009

great plan, Andrea Beth. What digestive enzymes do you suggest?

karen

Karen R. Adams,

Lic Ac, Dipl Ac

25 - 27 Bank Row

Greenfield, MA 01301

413-768-8333

Do or do not.

There is no try.

Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back

________________________________

<

Chinese Medicine

Tuesday, April 14, 2009 12:08:59 PM